Forstner, George (1869-1933)

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Early years

George was born in 1869 at Sheffield, Yorkshire, to parents John and Anna Maria. John was a pork butcher. John and Anna Maria were born in Wurtenburg, Germany.

George was brought up in a Primitive Methodist home on Tyneside, where the family were associated with the Savile Street Church at North Shields. He converted at the age of sixteen and began to preach a year later, mentored by Mr D. C. Gibbs.

The 1891 census identifies that George was also working as a pork butcher.

Ministry

George’s obituary records that after training at Hartley College, he began a busy ministry during which he never failed to present his message with dignity and power. In business meetings he was always courteous and fair, his judgments  being sound and his advice full of insight.

George served for five years as Connexional Scripture Examinations Secretary.

Family

George married Ada Mary Simmonds (1875-1948) on 18 April 1900 at the PM Chapel, Robert Street, Plumstead, Kent. Ada was the daughter of Rev Mark Simmonds, who officiated at the marriage. Census returns identify three children.

• George Eric (1901-1953)
• Marjorie Mary (b1903) – a teacher; moved to Kenya in 1935
• Dorothea Irene Frances (1905-1991)

George died on 2 July 1933 at Watford, Hertfordshire.

Circuits

• 1896 Reading
• 1901 Hull III
• 1903 Gateshead I
• 1908 Norwich
• 1910 Bury
• 1914 W Bromwich
• 1918 Bloxwich
• 1922 Birmingham IV
• 1926 Watford (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924/742

Methodist Minutes 1933/263

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers