Biography of Samuel Caldwell Forsaith of Manchester NH
-----------------------------
Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com/Manchester
On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE 
TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN 
Please see the web site for my email contact.
----------------------------------
The original source of this information is in the public domain, 
however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is 
restricted without written permission from the transcriber 
(who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same).
========================================================
SOURCE: History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire 
Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885
-------------------
page 84-85
SAMUEL CALDWELL FORSAITH--Robert Forsaith, the father of the subject of
this sketch, was a farmer and lived in Goffstown, N.H. He married
Elizabeth Caldwell, who bore him seven children. Samuel C. was born in
Goffstown September 29, 1827. His boyhood was passed on the farm, where
he assisted in the work. His educational advantages were those afforded
by the common schools of his native town. At an early age he became
interested in mechanical work, was quick to comprehend the intricacies
of machinery, and at the age of fifteen had constructed and set up on
the bank of the river near his home a miniature saw-mill, complete in 
all its parts and in running order. At the age of seventeen he left
home and went to Manchester, N.H., then a town of about five thousand
inhabitants, and entered the machine-shop of the old Amoskeag Mill
as an apprentice. His close attention to his duties here showed his
fondness for his chosen trade, and his subsequent success showed the
wisdom of his choice. His frugal habits enabled him to live on a salary
that at the present time would not suffice for even the most unskilled
labor. Thrown out of employment by a destructive fire, he next works in
Stark Mills until September 1, 1850, when he went to Milford, N.H. to
take charge of the machine repair-shops connected with the cotton-mills
of that place, remaining eight years, when he went to Biddeford, Me.,
as foreman of the Saco Water-Power Machine-Shop, where he stayed for
two years. In 1860 he determined to go into business on his own account,
and with this purpose in view, returned to Manchester and hired an
upper room in the shop of the Manchester Scale-Works. In this room,
without other capital than his determination to succeed, he started.
His first job here was the manufacture of hay-cutters, in which he was
so successful that he resolved to make a push for business, and sent
out a large number of cards announcing that he was prepared to do all 
kinds of job-work. Gradually his business increased, and at the end of
the year he was furnished employment for four journeymen. During the
second year he secured a vacant shop adjoining the scale-works which he
soon found none too large to accomodate him.  Soon after moving into
the new quarters he bought a patent machine for folding newspapers.
The original owners had been unable to make the machine work. Mr. 
Forsaith saw that the design was practical, and set about perfecting it,
which he did successfully. In order to make the folder a financial
success it must be put to practical test, and to this end Mr. Forsaith
visited the chief newspaper offices in the leading cities, representing
the merits of the machine, and succeeded in placing a sufficient
number to warrant a very general test. Perfect satisfaction was given,
and the orders for these machines came in fast.  Besides the manufacture
of the folders, the building of circular saw-mills, shafting,
mill-gearings, water-wheels, etc., gave constant employment to the
regular force of twelve workmen. That he might meet the requirements of
his job-work, and also to keep pace with the demand for the folders,
in 1863, Mr. Forsaith took a lease of the entire scale-works and
enlarged his working force.  In 1867, becoming crowded for room, a new
shop was built, which is now the main building of the present set of
buildings, which cover an acre and a half, filled with busy mechanics
and machinery for meeting the multiplying demands of what has come to
be the largest business of its kind in the State.  In 1872, Mr.
William E. Drew (who had been an apprentice in his shop) was taken into
partnership. The concern does its own printing, and issues quarterly an
edition of some twelve thousand catalogues, which are mailed to all
parts of the world.  The pay-roll of this establishement furnished an
average of four thousand five hundred dollars per month. In May 1884,
the business had become so extensive and the care and responsibilities
so great that it was decided to organize this great industry into a
stock company under the general laws of New Hampshire, capitalizing with
two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, and the company is now
under the management of officers chosen by the board of directors, and
is in a flourishing condition. The history of this industry, from its
small beginning to its present magnitude, is a fitting and well-deserved
tribute to the energy, thrift and good judgment of Mr. Forsaith, and
shows what a resolute purpose can accomplish. In politics Mr. Forsaith
was a Democrat, and took an active part in the councils of this party.
He was also a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd-Fellow,
an officer of the Amoskeag Veterans and a charitable and kind-hearted
citizen, whose loss will be felt wherever he was known.
  Mr. Forsaith was twice married--first, to Nancy W. Pierce, February
20, 1848, from which union there were three boys,--Frank P., George B.,
and William, who are now living.  Nancy W. died April 21, 1871. His
second wife was Clara J., daughter of Colonel J.C. and Clara J. Smith,
to whom he was married December 23, 1875.  From this union there are
also three boys,--Samuel C., Jr., born December 16, 1876; Clarence S.,
born February 19, 1878; Darwin J., born October 19, 1880.  In the winter
of 1884, Mr. Forsaith took a trip to the Bermuda Islands, accompanied
by his wife, seeking rest and recreation, and after a short visit 
returned to his home in Manchester, and after a short stop he started
to visit the World's Fair at New Orleans, where he had a large exhibit.
On his journey home, while on the cars, he was stricken with apoplexy.
On reaching the city of Philadelphia he was taken to the hospital of
the Jefferson Medical College, where he died March 23, 1885. His
funeral, from his late residence, in Manchester, was attended by the
various civil and military organizations of which he was a member and
by many of the prominent citizens of Manchester.

(end)