Born in Natchez, Mississippi, Forman moved with his father to Nashville, Washington County, Illinois, in 1851.

He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1870, and commenced practice in Nashville, Illinois.

He served as mayor of Nashville, Illinois from 1878 to 1884, and was a delegate to all State and National Democratic Conventions from 1876 to 1896.

Forman moved to East St. Louis, Illinois in 1895, where he resumed practicing law.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress