George Forward, who formerly conducted a meat market in Tampico but is now interested only in farming, giving supervision to his land not far from the village, is numbered among the venerable residents of Whiteside County, having reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He is, however, a remarkably well preserved man, who does not appear to be more than sixty-five years of age, while in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime.

He was born in Sussex, England, Sept. 9, 1828, and in 1832 was brought to the new world by his parents, George and Sarah (Cager) Forward. They were natives of Sussex and after living in the East for some time they joined their son George in Illinois about 1860. The father, however, died in Michigan at the home of his son there, while the mother survives and is living with a daughter in Kansas. She was born October 30, 1809, and is therefore almost a centenarian. Their childrend were: George; Mrs. Charlotte Pooler, deceased; William, a resident of Prophetstown township; Frank, who is living in Wacousta, Mich.; Fannie, the wife of John Bunker, whose home is near Wichita, Kan.; Edwin, living in Banesville, Kan.; Sarah, who died at the age of two years, Charles, who is located at Goddard, Kan.; Mary Ann, the widow of Simeon Baird, of Penrose, Ill.; Lewis, whose home is near Maize, Kan.; and Adelbert, whose home is at Eaton Raids, Mich.

George Forward was less than four years of age when the parents, crossing the Atlantic, landed in New York in May, 1832. The family home was established in Cayuga county, New York, near Ira Corners, where the father carried on farming, to which pursuit George Forward was reared. He began farming on his own account after attaining his majority and was identified with agricultural interests in the east until 1858, when he came with his wife and one child, then two years of age, to Illinois. They first located near Yorktown, on a tract of land of eight acres, upon which Mr. Forward resided until 1878. He then came to Tampico and established a meat market, conducting the business with good success for fifteen years. Since that time he was given his attention to farming, having forty acres of land on Section 15, Tampico township, just west of the town and also twenty acres within the corporation limits. He also owns a comfortable residence, which he purchased about a year ago.

Before leaving the east Mr. Forward was married, in 1852, to Miss Marian Darratt, a native of Cayuga county, New York, who died in Whiteside county in 1867 at the age of thirty years. They were the parents of two children: Albert, who is living near Tampico, and Minnie, the wife of Delos Craddock, of Tampico. In 1871 Mr. Forward was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Burnham, who was born in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York, August 26, 1838.

In his political views Mr. Forward has been a stalwart Republican since the organization of the party and has served for twelve years on the village board. Although he has reached the age of four score years he possesses remarkable vitality and energy and has the appearance of a man much youger. Nature is kind to those who do not abuse her laws and Mr. Forward has lived in conformity therewith. His record should put to shame many a man of younger years who would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear, for Mr. Forward is still an active factor in the activities of life and commands the respect and confidence of all who know him.

Albert and his wife Fannie Greenman had five children: George, Lena Glassburn, Ethel Forward, Bess, Mabel Donnelly. George had seven children: Helen, who died at the age of eleven; Edna Howlett; Frances Teer; Thelma Blum; George, Jr.; Mabel Egert and Robert. Mabel, Robert and George now reside near Tampico, with their children and grandchildren. Fred and Lena Glassburn had 3 boys: Stanley of Tampico; Donald of Sterling and Neil of Arizona (now deceased). Clare and Ethel had Albert of Tampico, Verna Retzlaff of Rockford and Dean (now deceased).

George, Jr. and Shirley Verdick have five children: Nancy, Linda, Gregory, Jeffrey and Deborah. Mabel and Lowell Egert have two children: Diana Catron of Missouri and Lana Musche of Tampico. (Tampico Centennial Year Book, page 101)

Related Link (photo of descendants)
Centennial Baby
Albert Forward Photo