Key Times, Places, and Faces

The Forest Family

Joe's Children

Joe and Rose raised nine children. The oldest boy, Francis Xavier, went to The Naval Academy; Joseph Forest, Herbert Forest and Bernard Forest all went to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and all became businessmen. At this time, girls didn't go to college: They stayed home. After a while, however, the Forest girls started getting jobs. Eleanor Forest, my great-great-aunt was a telephone operator; Lillian Forest, my great-grandmother, was a secretary; Rita Forest, my great-great-aunt was a nurse and Emily Forest, another great-aunt was a hairdresser.

Robert Forest

The fifth boy, Robert Forest, served and gave his life in World War II. There, he was missing in action for a month. Someone from the military came to the door and asked if Rose wanted to see the body. Rose made a wise decision and said, "No, I think that I want him buried in Belgium." She said that because she knew that he wasn't going to look the same and Rose said, "I might not even know it was he". To this day, Robert is still buried in a U.S. military cemetery in Belgium, where my family and I have visited before. Robert's story is one that is not forgotten in my family, as much of my family has been to Belgium to pay our respects. He is remembered as a brave man who gave his life for this country.

Joe's Life

My great-great-grandfather, was a Canadian immigrant who came for job opportunities and spoke no English when he arrived. He came with no prior knowledge on business or America. He quickly picked up a job washing dishes and baking at Hardy's Bakery. Here, he met his future wife, Rose Quinn (later Forest). After saving up money from the bakery job, he started his first company, a taxi company. He had numerous garages at his new house and realized there was an opportunity to make money and help people get around. Through this business, he became well connected in the Arlington area, as he saw new costumers everyday. Joe and Rose were well known in Arlington and this was shown through their anniversary celebration in 1938. As the Arlington Daily chronicled, "Mr. and Mrs. Forest were presented many beautiful gifts and received many telegrams and telephone messages of congratulations. Refreshments were served during the evening. Guests present were from Concord, N. H. Manchester N. H. Carlisle, Lowell, Stoneham, Brookline, Medford, Salem, Peabody. Marblehead, and Arlington" (1938, Arlington Daily). By this time he had clearly built up a reputation in Arlington of good service. This legacy was left for his children, when he died in his house on 12 Lewis Avenue, in 1944, at the age of 67.

12 Lewis Avenue

12 Lewis Ave. in 1913

Lewis Ave. in 2021

Lewis Ave., as my whole family calls it, was built in 1880 on a quarter acre lot in Arlington Center, close to the famous Spy Pond. This house was a common landing point for Joseph and Rose, as they operated their taxi business out of their home garages. It was a 14 room house right next to St. Agnus Church in Arlington center. They bought this house by saving up money from working at the bakery. At this point they already had five kids and they needed more space. Other than the garages, the house is characterized by its castle looking gable in the front and the spacious layout. When Joe purchased this house, he knew the garages would make for a perfect business idea of his, a taxi business. In 1911 they purchased the house for $50,000, which was expensive at the time. This house has stayed in the family as my great grandmother and grandmother both grew up there. It was sold in July of 1973 , when my family was no longer living in Arlington.

Housing Records

Pictured here is the housing record of the sale of 12 Lewis Avenue, to the Forest's, in 1911. As shown in the image, the house was bought for $50,000 in cash and the five car garages are listed as well. As listed, it was quite an elegant house and the residence even had high ceilings with marble fireplaces.

Joe's Taxi Business

When my great-great-grandfather, Joe Forest came to America, after a short stint working in a bakery, he decided to start his own taxi business. This was a great time to start a taxi business because cars were just invented not only very limited, but extremely expensive. Joe saw a problem and a way to solve it and acted on it. He soon became known in the town of Arlington because of this business. This was a family business as Rose cleaned and fixed the taxis and Joe drove them. Rose and Joe said, "No car will ever go into the garages dirty or broken down. We will always fix it". This reflected the manor in which the Forest's operated their business, with respect for their customers and their needs

Joe's Neighborhood Evolvement

Pictured to the right is Joe Forest and his business partner and Charles Wood. Wood owned a piano moving company, and was an immigrant as well. This was taken in 1907 for the 100th anniversary of Arlington, where Joe and his business partner Mr. Wood rode on Woods horse and buggy. It was not rare for the Forest family to be this involved in town events like these. As the Arlington Daily wrote about the parade, they noted that Forest's participation in the parade, "This unusual scene was taken on June, 1907, on Appleton st. These folks are waiting to form in line for the 100 Anniversary Parade of the Town of Arlington. Its a wagon belonging to Wood Bros. The driver is a gentleman known for years in town, names Joe Forest. His partner is Mr. Wood, the owner of the business. It looks like an upright piano on the back with a derrick on the hitch, and one can see the horses are all 'dolled' up for this great parade" (Collins). The fact that the newspaper had numerous articles about Joe showed that he was an outstanding member of the community and an even better person. I am thankful to say that he is my ancestor and that he kickstarted the American dream story for my family.

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