William Lake Forman (1829-1919) didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps of being a confectioner. Samuel L. Forman died at age 39 in 1844, so we only know about his business because of 2 city directory listings and the inventory that was done after his untimely death which listed “confectionary tools of the trade.” In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the confectioner was the most highly regarded of all tradesmen involved with food preparation. The confectioner prepared desserts, candies, and other sugar-related delicacies. But William was only 15 when his father died, so he wasn’t ready to take over such a business.
In the 1850 census, William L., now 21, is living at home with his mother Eliza, his sisters Mary and Emma (19 & 14) and little brother Isaac (10). This is the first time we see his occupation listed as House Painter. He married Amanda McAllister in 1853.
From 1855-1867 he is listed as a house painter in the Philadelphia City directories. In 1858 he is the secretary of the Journeyman House Painters Association, and as such posted notices in the newspaper regarding meetings so we get this glimpse of his serious involvement in his trade.
In 1868, brother Isaac joins him and they become “Forman and Brother” house painters. They continued together for a few years before parting ways. Isaac continued on as a house painter for the rest of his life, as far as can be determined. But somehow by 1877 William is employed as a clerk.
We got lucky in that he was employed by the City of Philadelphia, so there are some records to be found. From the Journal of the Common Council of the City of Philadelphia, he is listed as the signer of warrants of the department of the Clerk of Quarter Sessions.
In 1879 there was a big reaction to the news that citizens felt that the salaries of the city officials were too high. The opinion was that the city clerks (of which William L. was one) should make no more than clerks working outside city government, such as bank clerks. Initially there was talk of a reduction in force, but instead the decision was made to reduce salaries. William L. Forman is listed as a ‘search clerk’ earning $1000 per year. After the change, his salary was reduced to $900 per year. How would you enjoy that 10% cut in pay?
In 2017 I was contacted by a woman whose maiden name was Magurn (the same as my mother Josephine Teresa Magurn Forman.) Her ancestor and my grandfather were both from the same area in Northern Ireland so we were sure we had to be related. We both had our DNA results and were so surprised to find that we were not related! That is a whole ‘nother mystery to solve, but the interesting part is that she sent me a copy of her ancestor’s naturalization papers from 1889 Philadelphia. I was stunned and delighted to see who had signed the document: William L. Forman!See the document at right. (He has beautiful penmanship!)
Whether he was tired of the life of a clerk, feeling his age, or whatever the reason, in 1899 William L. has left the city offices and is again listed in the city directories as a house painter, as well as a glazier (one who cuts, installs, or removes glass.) This continues until 1905 when he is 76 years old, and again working as a clerk! The last we know of his occupation is the 1910 Census which indicates he is still working as a clerk in an office. (He’s 81 at that time!)
Another interesting tidbit was found in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper in 1911. There was another big shake-up at City Hall. 58 clerks in the law department were asked to resign, while 21 were retained. 82 year old William L. Forman was one of those retained as a clerk to a trial assistant, earning $900 per year. (The same as he made 30 years earlier!!)
I can’t find any other mention of him between then and his death in 1919. But those invited to his funeral show his wide range of interests: Philadelphia Association of Disabled Firemen, employees of City Solicitor’s Office, 40th Ward Republican Club, and Veteran Firemen’s Association.
