Caleb Goldsmith Forshey

Caleb Goldsmith Forshey

• Father: John Forshey b. 10 September 1777, d. October 1857
• Mother: Elizabeth Monroe b. circa 1778, d. October 1855

• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey was born on 18 July 1812 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
• He married Margaret Monroe, daughter of Peter Monroe and Mary Lyon, on 19 April 1836 in Muskingum County, Ohio, first cousins; his mother Elizabeth Monroe and her father Peter were sister and brother.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey became a widower at the August 1843 death of his wife Margaret Monroe.
• He married Martha Annie Williams on 30 August 1843 in Hamilton County, Ohio, or the 31st.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Carrollton, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, William's relationship to Caleb is not known.. Other members of the household included John Maynard Forshey and William Forshey.
• He was a civil engineer, according to the 1850 census.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey became a widower at the say 1853 death of his wife Martha Annie Williams.
• He married Mary Eunice Williams on 30 November 1853.
• In October 1856, the Texas Monumental and Military Institute opened, formed from the consolidation of Rutersville College, Texas Military Institute, Galveston, and the Texas Monumental Committee at La Grange, Fayette County. For additional information, see The Texas Handbook Online.
• On Sunday, 18 April 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Enclosed a Draft to Campbell for Colonel Forshey."
       This transaction is related to 15-year-old Campbell's attendance at Texas Monumental & Military Institute in Rutersville. Campbell attended Austin College in Huntsville from September 1855 to December 1857, and then Green sent him off to Rutersville when war seemed imminent. Col. Forshey dined at Greenwood in July 1858.
• On Thursday, 29 July 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Colonel C. G. Forshey came to Dinner."
• Green Wood recorded, "On 5th September 1858, Sent Colonel Forshey a Draft on E. B. Nichols & Co for $110."
• Green Wood recorded, "Received Galveston March 10 1860 of R B Nichols & Co One Hundred Dollars for the ?? of Col C G Forshey, and for account of Major Green Wood $100."
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey and Mary Eunice Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Rutersville, Fayette County, Texas. Sons John and Caleb are enumerated in the household of farmer Adam Ragan in LaGrange, perhaps in error.
• He was president of Texas Military Institute, according to the 1860 census.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey and Mary Eunice Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Galveston, Texas. Other members of the household included John Maynard Forshey, Caleb Ethan Forshey and Elmore Lindell Forshey.
• He was a civil engineer, according to the 1870 census.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey and Mary Eunice Williams appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Other members of the household included Elmore Lindell Forshey.
• He was a civil engineer, crippled by paralysis, according to the 1880 census.
• Caleb Goldsmith Forshey died on 25 July 1881 at age 69 in Carrollton, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
• The following appeared on 30 July 1881 in the Weekly Picayune: Prof. [Caleb Goldsmith] Forshey, whose death occurred on Monday, was born in Somerset county, Pa., July 18, 1812. He was educated at Kenyon College, Ohio, and at the United States Military Academy, West Point. In 1936-38 he was prfessor of mathematics and civil engineering at Jefferson College, Miss. Later on he was engaged for several years in engineering works in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas; and was in charge of the United States survey of the Mississippi delta from 1851 to 1853. As Chief Engineer of the Glaveston, Houston and Henderson Railway in 1853-55, he planned the present bridge across Galveston West Bay. In 1855 Prof. Forshey founded the Texas Military Institute, which he conducted until 1861. He was one of the many Southerners opposed to secession, but upon the breaking out of hostilities, he entered the Confederate Army as Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers, served on the James River, and afterwords as Chief Engineer on the staff of Gen. Magruder.
       He also rendered valuable assistance by his plans for the defense of the Texas frontier, and the recapture of Galveston.
       On the conclusion of the war Col. Forshey became interested in the construction of Texas railroads, where he was engaged for several years. For some time he was employed in the United States Engineer service on Red River and Galveston Bay, and was last in the employ of Major Howell, of the United States army, in this city.
       The deceased was a man of the most varied acquirements and tireless energy, which is indicated by this brief record of his busy life. He was well versed in most branches of knowledge, but especially the various departments of science. A Master of Arts, he was associated with many of the finest scholars in the United States in editing Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia.
       The professor was one of the prime movers in founding the New Orleans Academy of Sciences, in 1858, being elected its first Vice President. He contributed a great number of papers on scientific subjects to reviews and periodicals, but his most valuable work was "The Physics of the Mississippi River," which added most important data to the literature on this subject.
       About four years ago Prof. Forshey was stricken with paralysis, and remained an invalid ever afterwards. This, a terrible calamity to any one, was particularly distressing to a man of such active habits of thought. In disposition, the deceased was a genial, whole-souled gentleman, who made fieinds of all who appreciated his kindly nature.
       He was a pleasant companion; with an eventful experience, a large fund of practical knowledge ready at command, he was a fluent and most agreeable conversationalist.
       Bishop Keener, who officiated forty years ago at the marriage of Prof. Forshey, will conduct the funeral service this afternoon, at the Carondelet Street Methodist Church.
• For additional biographical information, see The Texas Handbook Online.

• Last Edited: 3 Sep 2015