1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

FOREMAN, Luther T., Maj                               Linneus & Lotus Creek Township: 440

   Maj. L. T. Forman is a native of "old Kentucky," born in Bourbon county, August 21, 1825. The Christian names of his parents were Joseph and Margaret. His mother's maiden name was Barbee. About the year 1831 Joseph Forman removed to Marion county, Missouri; from thence to Monroe county, and from thence to Spring Hill, Livingston county, his son Luther accompanying him. In 1846 the latter came to Linn county, settling on section thirty-two, township fifty seven, range twenty one. (See early history of Parson Creek township.) In April of the same year he married Miss Eliza Hobbs, who died in the fall of 1852. In the early days of California Major Foreman made a trip thereto, but did not better his fortunes to any considerable extent. He has engaged in different avocations in life, but fanning and stock-raising have been his chief occupations, and since his settlement therein Linn county has been his permanent home.

   Major Forman has been thrice married. His second wife was Miss Araminta Brown, daughter of Colonel Meredith Brown, one of the most prominent of the early pioneers of this county. His second marriage occurred in the spring of 1853. Nine years thereafter, in 1862, his wife died, and in 1863 he was united to Mrs. Emily Graham, who is still living. The Major is the father of eleven children living; viz., Charles H., Benjamin L., and John by his second wife, and Joseph W., William Ernest {alias Peter Cooper), Maggie, Katie Frances, Lida E., Virginia, Estella, and Lilian Maude. Three are married, Charles H., Benjamin L., and Maggie, the latter now Mrs. Hill.

   Upon the breaking out of the civil war Major Forman avowed himself an unconditional Union man, ready to light for his opinions if necessary.  His Union neighbors were scarce, but they all looked to him for counsel and advice and regarded him as their leader. He assisted in defending their property from the predatory incursions of certain Confederates, and on one occasion at least pursued and chastised a party of the latter.       In August, 1862, he entered the Federal service as captain of "Forman's company" of Missouri Militia, composed mostly of men from Parson Creek and Clay townships, and afterwards known as Company F, Sixty-second Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia.  Of this regiment Captain Forman was promoted to be major, January 26, 1863. In the fall of the same year he was compelled to resign. While in the service, both as captain or major, he did a great deal of work. His company and a portion of the regiment under his command made several scouting expeditions through this, Chariton, Carroll, and Livingston counties after the irregular Confederate organizations of Jim Jackson, Clifton Holtzclaw, Logan Ballew, and others, and did much toward suppressing and dispersing their bands. In August? 1862, shortly after he had received his commission as captain in the militia, occurred the memorable raid and dispersion of a large body of newly-recruited Confederate Missourians under Colonel Poindexter. After the dispersion two stragglers came to the Major's residence, and refusing to come in and surrender, or to halt when ordered, but on the contrary attempting to escape, he tired on and killed one of them, named Frank Hart. There were witnesses to this affair, and upon their testimony and taking all the facts into consideration, even the father of young Hart justified the Major's action in the premises. (See war history of Parson Creek township.) Prior to the civil war Mr. Forman was an old line Whig. After the war he acted for many years with the Republican party, and was at different times the candidate of that organization for important offices. Once he was the nominee of his party for representative, against Hon. A. "W, Myers, of Brookfield, the successful candidate, and bad the Republicans of that township laid aside local pride and voted the straight ticket he would have been elected; but, as it was, there being three candidates in the field, he was defeated. At another time he was the Republican nominee for probate judge, and again defeated, the Democratic candidate being elected by a small majority. Of late years Major Forman has been an active, zealous member of the National Greenback party.

   Mr. and Mrs. Forman are both members of the Christian Church. They have a neat little home in this township on a small farm of about one hundred acres, and have a farm of six hundred and fourteen acres in Parson Creek township, which is rented. They are also rich in the possession of a family of five interesting children, who promise to be not only the props and stays of their parents in future years, but honorable and useful members of society as well. Although not compelled to, the Major does work hard almost every day. He accommodated his friends some years since by becoming their indorser, and had to pay some thousands of dollars for his generous disposition. He has been a great hunter, killing scores of deer in this county, besides other game, and twice visiting the great plains of Nebraska on buffalo hunts. Of late years he has not been able to indulge in his favorite sport.

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Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2012.  All Rights Reserved.