John Malcolm Forbes
Encyclopedia
John Malcolm Forbes was a businessman and sportsman. He was born in Milton, Massachusetts
in 1847 into the wealthy Forbes family
of Boston
. In addition, he was highly regarded as a yachtsman and horseman
.
He purchased Nancy Hanks
for $41,000 and Arion for $125,000. With Arion, Bingen, Nancy Hanks, Peter The Great, and others, Forbes Farm became the outstanding stud farm in the East. Forbes main objective is to improve the quality of the light driving horse, which, before the advent of the automobile, was in great demand throughout the country. Though Forbes never raced a stable, he was an expert on breeding fast horses, until his death in 1904.
Forbes made national headlines by paying Senator Leland Stanford
of California the enormous sum, at the time, of $125,000 for the stallion Arion. At the time this was highest price ever paid for a horse anywhere in the world. Adding Bingen and Peter the Great, Forbes owned the three fastest trotting stallions. He added the legendary undefeated mare Nancy Hanks
, model for the horse and sulky weathervanes one sees today. These horses were inducted into the Standardbred Hall of Fame.
which successfully defended the America's Cup
in 1885.
In 1885, Forbes led the first of three successful America's Cup defense efforts for the New York Yacht Club
. Edward Burgess was the designer and the syndicate initially funded and campaigned Puritan
to a successful defence in 1885 and became a template for America's Cup campaign management which was used throughout the 20th century.
Emmy award-winning
TV producer Jonathan Meath
.
Milton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
in 1847 into the wealthy Forbes family
Forbes family
The Forbes family is a wealthy extended American family originating in Boston. The family's fortune originates from trading between North America and China in the 19th century plus other investments in the same period. The name descends from Scottish immigrants, and can be traced back to Sir John...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In addition, he was highly regarded as a yachtsman and horseman
Horseman
Horseman may refer to:* Horse rider; see Equestrianism* Wrangler , in the United States* Stockman , who works with horses rather than with cattle or sheep* Horseman, a 2003 Croatian film...
.
Horses
In 1890 he purchased Jack, 2:12, for a speedway horse. As his interest grew he established Forbes Farm by buying and consolidating the Hunt, Davenport and Farrington farms. The Farrington farmhouse once stood on the site of the current Prowse residence.He purchased Nancy Hanks
Nancy Hanks (horse)
Nancy Hanks was an undefeated Standardbred harness racing trotting mare named for Abraham Lincoln's mother.She was foaled in 1886 at Terre Haute, Indiana and was sired by Happy Medium, her dam Nancy Lee was by Dictator....
for $41,000 and Arion for $125,000. With Arion, Bingen, Nancy Hanks, Peter The Great, and others, Forbes Farm became the outstanding stud farm in the East. Forbes main objective is to improve the quality of the light driving horse, which, before the advent of the automobile, was in great demand throughout the country. Though Forbes never raced a stable, he was an expert on breeding fast horses, until his death in 1904.
Forbes made national headlines by paying Senator Leland Stanford
Leland Stanford
Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:...
of California the enormous sum, at the time, of $125,000 for the stallion Arion. At the time this was highest price ever paid for a horse anywhere in the world. Adding Bingen and Peter the Great, Forbes owned the three fastest trotting stallions. He added the legendary undefeated mare Nancy Hanks
Nancy Hanks (horse)
Nancy Hanks was an undefeated Standardbred harness racing trotting mare named for Abraham Lincoln's mother.She was foaled in 1886 at Terre Haute, Indiana and was sired by Happy Medium, her dam Nancy Lee was by Dictator....
, model for the horse and sulky weathervanes one sees today. These horses were inducted into the Standardbred Hall of Fame.
America's Cup
Forbes owned and skippered the yacht PuritanPuritan (yacht)
Puritan was the 1885 America's Cup defender.-Design:She was built at the George Lawley & Son yard in Boston, Massachusetts and launched May 26, 1885....
which successfully defended the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
in 1885.
In 1885, Forbes led the first of three successful America's Cup defense efforts for the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
. Edward Burgess was the designer and the syndicate initially funded and campaigned Puritan
Puritan (yacht)
Puritan was the 1885 America's Cup defender.-Design:She was built at the George Lawley & Son yard in Boston, Massachusetts and launched May 26, 1885....
to a successful defence in 1885 and became a template for America's Cup campaign management which was used throughout the 20th century.
Family
Forbes is the ancestor of AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Emmy award-winning
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
TV producer Jonathan Meath
Jonathan Meath
Jonathan Meath is an award–winning American TV producer based in Boston who is notable for earning numerous Emmy nominations and the coveted George Foster Peabody Award in 1993. He is known for his commitment to children's educational television...
.
External links
- Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company 1899 signed by J. Malcolm Forbes at www.scripophily.net