David Forsyth^{[1, 2]}

1852 - 1936  (83 years)

• Name	David Forsyth
  Born	15 Dec 1852	, Scotland   [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  Gender	Male
  Business	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	D. Forsyth & Co.
  Business	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Football Importer
  		Kitchener-DavidForsyth-FootballImporter-0001-EnvelopeEbay2021.jpg
  		Kitchener-DavidForsyth-FootballImporter-0002a-Envelope-1901-Ebay2024.jpg
  Immigration	1853	, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Immigration	1868	, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  Occupation	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Student
  Residence	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Presbyterian
  Club Membership	1880
  	Grand River Canoeing Club
  		Grand River Canoeing Club A black and white group portrait photograph, framed by a mat, of the four members of the Grand River Canoeing Club in 1880. The members are posed sitting around a campfire in front of tent in a photographic studio. Each man is wearing striped shirt and a cap. Left to right: J.A. Mowat ("Cook"), H.R. Watson ("Vice-Commodore"), A. Meuller ("Commodore") Front centre: D. Forsyth ("Purser")
  Immigration	1881	, Canada   [7]
  Occupation	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Teacher
  Residence	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Presbyterian
  Historic Building	1882	31 Margaret Avenue, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Built in 1882 its first owner was David & Augusta Forsyth. Two stories and built of brick, in 1978 was listed in poor condition. It reflects the Tuscan-Italianate villa style with local urban architecture. In 1978 it was being used as a residence with additional apartments.
  Occupation	1882	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	teacher
  Residence	1882	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Occupation	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	High School Teacher
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Lutheran
  Residence	1897	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Kitchener,ForsythD.residence-busyberlin1897.jpg Reisdence of D. Forsyth. B. A. From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
  Invention	1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Science Laboratories in High Schools
  	David Forsyth introduced practical work in the laboratory for pupils in science classes in Ontario high schools.1a 1aWaterloo Region Museum display 2011
  		Science Labortories High School Display Waterloo Region Musuem 2011
  Occupation	1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Teacher
  Public Service	1906	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Berlin Public Library Board
  		From: Berlin Today 1806-1906
  Occupation	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Teacher, High School
  Residence	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Lutheran
  Occupation	1921	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Principle, Col.
  Residence	1921	31 Margaret Ave., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  Residence	1921	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  	Presbyterian
  Died	13 Sep 1936	Beamsville, Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario   [10]
  Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region	Bef 2012	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  Interesting	education, sports, football
  Nationality	, Canada   [7]
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-31070
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  Person ID	I31070	Generations
  Last Modified	3 Mar 2025

  
  

  Father	Archibald Forsyth,   b. 1816, Appin, Argyleshire, Scotland ,   d. 29 Aug 1894, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 78 years)
  Mother	Ann Haggart,   b. 24 Sep 1824, , Scotland ,   d. 21 Sep 1908, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 83 years)
  Family ID	F8189	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Augusta Clothilde Mylius,   b. 2 Jul 1862, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 4 Apr 1912, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 49 years)
  Married	28 Dec 1882	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2, 3]
  Children	1. Dora Forsyth,   b. 12 Jun 1887, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Otto Rudolph Forsythe,   b. 7 May 1890, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 18 Mar 1939, Beamsville, Lincoln Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 48 years)
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F8188	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  David Forsyth Original at the Kitchener Public Library's Waterloo Historical Collection (P420 WHS)

  
  

• Notes

  David Forsyth, a distinguished educator and sportsman, taught in the Berlin High School from 1876, and was principal from 1901-1921. He originated the method of teaching science by requiring each pupil to perform the experiment and deduct his own conclusions - a method that was later compulsory. His valued contributions to education included membership on the Royal Commission on Industrial and Technical Training. Known as "The Daddy of association football or soccer," he was one of the best players in Canada and was responsible for organizing, in 1880, the Western Football Association, the oldest football association in America. Soccer or association football, grew from his expert coaching in the Berlin High School. Boys coached by him joined the "Berlin Rangers," a team that became internationally famous, winning half of the games played in the British Isles. Mr. Forsyth was also an expert lacrosse and cricket player and an accomplished cyclist and canoeist. Waterloo Region Hall of Fame _____________________ Forsyth, David, teacher at High School. Was born in Scotland, 1852, and has lived here since 1867. Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881 _____________________________ In the fall of 1888, a team made up of players from the Western Football Association of Ontario toured the British Isles with notable success. Many of the players who made this trip became very distinguished persons in later life. The year 1888 marked the beginning of England's famous Football League, and the Canadian team played Notts County, Newton Heath (now Manchester United), Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion, who were members of that league. They also played such famous clubs as Glasgow Rangers, Queens Park, Ayr (not Ayr United in those days) and Hearts, plus a team made up of some of the best Scottish players, but not the actual Scottish national team. The Canadians made quite an impression on the British soccer scene at that time, and the English papers, in particular, are full of praise for the players. Seventeen of the 18 players who made the trip were born in Canada. The only one who was not was David Forsyth, who was brought to Canada from Scotland at the age of two. Players who made the trip: Harry Bewell, Harry P. Bingham, Walter W. Bowman, Solomon Brubacher, Dr. William Burnet, Alexander Noble Garrett, Alex Gibson, Tom Gibson, Dr. Edward Payson Gordon, Fred Killer, Charles (Carl) Kranz, Tom W. Murray, Dr Wilfred Pirt Mustard, Dr. Henry Hempton "Harry" Pirie, Dr. Walter Proudfoot Thomson, E.W. Webster, David Forsyth. Canadian Soccer History-Canada in Gt Britain 1888. (2019). Canadiansoccerhistory.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019, from https://www.canadiansoccerhistory.com/Canadiantoursabroad/Gt%20Britain%201888.html?fbclid=IwAR2Nvf6ufO8L9T0wkGsbXhBsOSsCNVK8Lssm38AqtBifZzLsQ70xBVgUjkc ________________ EDUCATOR AND SPORTSMAN (Huron Expositor) A veteran Ontario educator and sportsman has passed on. David Forsyth died in Beamsville on Sunday in his 84th year. Mr. Forsyth was for 46 years a member of the staff of the Kitchener Collegiate Institute and Technical Institute, and for twenty of those years he held the position of principal. He was also a member of the Royal Commission on industrial training and technical education which toured Canada the United. States and European countries, obtaining information for use in Ontario high schools. Equally great was his fame as a sportsman, as he had a continent wide record in athletic circles, and particularly in association football. As a member of the famous old Ranger Club of Berlin, Mr. Forsyth was rated as one of the best football players in Canada. Known as the father of the Western Ontario Football Association, he had served as secretary, president and honorary president for many years, as well as being secretary of the Ontario Football Association for a long period. When association football and lacrosse were Canada's two premier games. Dave Forsyth's name was a household word, and there are still a great many former football and lacrosse players in this western part of Ontario, and particularly in Seaforth, to whom he was much more than a name. Waterloo Chronicle, 24 Sep 1936, p. 2 ____________ BEAMSVILLE DEATH CLAIMS DAVID FORSYTH, OF BEAMSVILLE Well Known in Fields of Education and Sport TAUGHT PREMIER Beamsville, Sept. 14.- The dean of Canadian soccer, Dayld Forsyth, B.A., of Beamsville, passed away at his home in Beamsville last night in his 84th year, after short illness. Mr. Forsyth, prominent in Masonic, civic and sporting circles, was one of Beamsville's best-known and most respected citizens. The late Mr. Forsyth came to Beamsville from Kitchener 12 years ago, and lived with his son, Otto, on Mountain street. In Kitchener, he was prominent as an educationist, being a member of the teaching staff of the old Berlin high school for half a century and principal for 20 years. It was in this capacity that he taught Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, now Prime Minister of Canada. He introduced the idea of practical laboratory work in science. Was Soccer Pioneer As a sportsman, he was a famous soccer player. For 26 years he was secretary of association the Western and for Ontario nine years was honorary secretary. He was also president of that association and secretary of the Ontario Football association. He introduced the game of soccer into his high school sports, pioneering in this field in Canada. Mr. Forsyth himself was one of the best players in the Dominion and was a member of the Berlin Rangers, who toured the British Isles and United States. He was also captain of the Berlin lacrosse team and a member of the cricket teams. He was a well-known cyclist, canoeist, curler and bowler. He was honorary president of the Canadian Soccer association at the time of his death. As a Mason, Forsyth worshipful master of Grand River lodge, A., F. & AM., and: in 1889 was elected D.D.G.M. of Wellington district. In June, 1935, a deputation of the officers of Grand River lodge visited Mr. Forsyth at Beamsville and presented him with a grand lodge jewel marking 50 years' membership. Vocational Training In 1910 Mr. Forsyth was appointed member of the royal commission on industrial training and technical education. As a member, he toured Canada and United States and European countries, visiting schools to obtain information. The commission's report to the Canadian government in 1911 required five volumes. In Beamsville he was president of the library board and past member of the vocational advisory committee. He was also a member of the Beamsville Lawn Bowlers' association. In May, 1935, he was presented with the King's Jubilee medal, being the only person in this vicinity to be so honoured. The late Mr. Forsyth is survived by one son, Otto, of Beamsville, one daughter, Mrs. Norman Suddaby, of Duncan, B.C. The funeral will be held on Wednesday with service in Beamsville from his late residence at 1.30 o'clock E.S.T., and in Kitchener at 4.30 o'clock under Masonic auspices. The Hamilton Spectator Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Mon, Sep 14, 1936 Page 11

  
  

• Sources

  [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Nora L Roos Born: Berlin Ontario Age: 22 Father: Michael Roos Mother: Louisa Pabst Born: abt 1893 Spouse: Otto R Forsyth Age: 25 born: Berlin Ontario Father: David Forsyth Mother: Augusta Wyline married 16 Jun 1915 [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 4 Jan 1883. Dec. 28, 1882 David Forsyth & August Mylius, both of Berlin, were married by Pastor R. von Pirch in Berlin. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 11363-1882 David Forsyth and Augusta C. Mylius. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-4 Page 5. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 47. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 38 Page 2. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub Dist. 25 Page 6. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 2 Page 8. [S355] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1871, Sect. 1 Page 27. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10121339/david-forsyth. [S872] Book - Historic Building Inventory - Kitchener. [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 15 Dec 1852 - , Scotland Business - D. Forsyth & Co. - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Business - Football Importer - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1853 - , Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1868 - , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Student - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1881 - , Canada Occupation - Teacher - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Historic Building - 1882 - 31 Margaret Avenue, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - teacher - 1882 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1882 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 28 Dec 1882 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - High School Teacher - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1897 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Invention - Science Laboratories in High Schools - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Teacher - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Public Service - Berlin Public Library Board - 1906 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Teacher, High School - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Lutheran - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Principle, Col. - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Presbyterian - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 13 Sep 1936 - Beamsville, Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Nationality - - , Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth