Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), Friday 25 May 1951, page 1


INDUSTRIALIST

AND TOWNSMAN

Mr. James Forgan's

Active Life

Born at Gawler on September 25, 1874, the late Mr. James Forgan be- came associated with the engineer- ing firm of J. and R. Forgan, Ltd., when he left school, starting at the foundry at Crystal Brook. When the business was formed into a

limited company in 1924 he was ap- pointed managing director-a posi- tion he held until his death. His father, the late Mr. Robert Forgan,

had been one of the firm's foun- ders.

Mr. James Forgan was educated

at the public school at Crystal Brook and resided in that town until 1945, when, for business rea-

sons, he moved to Pirie.

During his long residence at Crystal Brook he took an active part in the town's affairs, interest- ing himself in all matters connected with welfare and advancement of

the district.

A keen sportsman in his earlier

years, Mr. Forgan maintained his interest in and at different times was president of the cricket, bowl-ing, golf, coursing, and racing clubs. For many years he was a stipen-diary steward for Northern racing

clubs.

Was District Councillor

He was a past president of Crys-tal Brook Institute Committee, hav-ing been a member for nearly 50 years. He had also been president of a debating society in the town, and for some time he was a mem-ber of the local district council. In 1919 he was appointed a justice of the peace.

His membership of Oddfellows' Lodge extended over 67 years, and he was also a prominent Freemason.

A keen gardener, Mr. Forgan was a strong supporter of North-Western Agricultural Society and for many years was a member of its various committees. He was particularly prominent as a member of the fin-ance committee, of which he was treasurer until he moved to Pirie.

In May, 1900, he married Miss Louisa Bailey, of Coromandel Val-ley, who survives. There were four children of the marriage-Dr. Syd-ney B. Forgan (East Adelaide), Mrs. Cathryn Holmes (Eden), and Hum-phrey and Rodger Forgan (both deceased). Surviving sisters of Mr. Forgan are Mesdames A. C. Harris (Glenelg) and C. C. Buttfield (Jos

lin).