MELVIN L. FORBES. Lisbon, Ohio.
From newsboy to road foreman of engineers is the advance made by Melvin L. Forbes during his career of thirty-one years of railroad life. Born in Empire, Ohio, December 18, 1854, he acquired a good education in the public schools of that place and then, at the age of 15, secured a situation as news agent on the Erie, between Cleveland and Sharon, Pa. One year later he began firing, but after a year he became dissatisfied and went to braking for the same company. One year of this work convinced him that work on the engine was more to his taste, so he resumed firing and continued for five years, two years on freight and three on passenger. As a fireman, Mr. Forbes was industrious and capable, and his promotion to engineer May 6, 1877, was but fitting recognition of his good work. For three years he ran a switch engine in the Cleveland yards, and then he was advanced to road work. For seven years he pulled freight between Cleveland and Youngstown, being advanced to a passenger run on the Lisbon Branch at the end of that time, and after eleven years running passenger between Niles and Lisbon he was promoted to road foreman of engineers, which position he still holds and capably fills.

As an engineer he is classed in the first rank, his ability, judgment and high character having been the reason for his promotion to the important position he now holds. He has been fortunate in never having a wreck of any kind, which is noteworthy, considering his long career. Besides having a high standing with the officials he is popular with the engineers under his direction, every one of them having only words of praise for "Mel" Forbes.

On Christmas day, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Stewart of Empire, Ohio, and they have a charming family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom are attending school in Lisbon, Ohio, where Mr. Forbes owns a very pleasant home. He is affiliated with Devereaux Lodge No. 167, B. of L. E.; Lisbon Lodge No. 65, F. & A. M.; Commandery No. 42, K. T., and Criterion Lodge No. 68, K. of P. His family is numbered among the elite of Lisbon, and he is regarded as one of the city's most substantial and influential citizens.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the February, 1915 issues of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Mahoning Division Engineer M.L. Forbes, running engine #545 with fireman W. Weber, was listed as being in the Order of the Red Spot for January, 1915. The Order was an honor bestowed on engine crews who operated efficiently with few engine failures.

From the April, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Mahoning Division engineer M.L. Forbes, and fireman William Weber, were in charge of train 626, with engine 545 on a recent date, when the engine failed account of the grate bars dropping. Instead of abandoning the train, engineer and fireman procured some old splice bars, patched up the grate and brought the train to Youngstown with but little delay.

From the February, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
M.L. Forbes, one of the oldest engineers in point of service on the Mahoning Division, died at Cleveland, January 5 (1926), of pneumonia after a short illness at age 65. Sympathy is extended to his family in the loss of both father and mother. Mrs. Forbes died only a few weeks ago at thier home in Niles.

From the March, 1926 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Old Engineer Makes Last Run
Erie Railroad Engineer Melvin L. Forbes died January 5 (1926) at his home at Cleveland, O. A correspondent of the Magazine says he had been in the service of the railroad for nearly half a century and never had caused an accident.

According to the death certificate online at FamilySearch.org, He was born in Lisbon, OH to Thomas Forbes. He was living at 2104 N. 14th St. at the time of his death.


Engineer Forbes made his last locomotive run on December 31 when he brought train 685 safely into Cleveland. Having a fear of careless motorists he prayed during his latter years to be spared a grade-crossing accident.

Only a few weeks before his own death his wife was called hence. Five children survive. The funeral and burial were on January 7 at Lisbon, O.