Obituaries Australia

James Forsyth, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 November 1927

A notable figure passed away in Brisbane on 14th October, when Mr. James Forsyth died. He was born near Stirling, Scotland, in 1852, arrived in Brisbane in 1875, and later entered the service of Mr. James Burns. He became manager of the concern at Normanton, and was admitted to partnership, and when the businesses of Mr. (afterwards Sir Robert) Philp and Mr. (afterwards Sir James) Burns were amalgamated, Mr. Forsyth and his brother, Adam, were partners. Mr. James Forsyth went to Brisbane as director, and afterwards managing director, and he was credited with having much to do with the success of the firm.

He entered Parliament in 1899 as member for Carpentaria, and was re-elected in 1902 and 1904, but was defeated in 1907. He successfully contested Moreton seat on the death of Mr. J. D. Campbell, and afterwards was member for Murrumba when the seats were redistributed. In 1918, for health reasons, he retired, and though he did not attain Cabinet rank, the reason was possibly his own disinclination to accept it. He was noted for his financial criticisms in the House.

With the late Sir Robert Philp and the late Mr. John Leahy (who was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for some time), Mr. Forsyth was interested in pastoral properties. They purchased Thylungra Station, in the far southwest, in 1907. When Mr. Leahy died Mr. Forsyth bought his interest, and later Mr. E. S. Munro came into the partnership, and Bulgroo and Kyabra Stations were also acquired, the partnership being floated into the Thylungra Pastoral Company.

Mr. Forsyth married a daughter of the late Mr. James Campbell, and she survives him. There are no children of the marriage, but they adopted a daughter of the late Sir Robert Philp.