DeForest, Daniel A., MD  

Transcribed from the book "History of Warrick County" by Goodspeed, Chicago: Goodspeed Bros., 1885, p. 143, submitted by Judy. Small images submitted by May Kerchieval.

            Daniel A. DeForest, M.D., of DeForest Station, is a native of Boon Township, Warrick County, Ind., his birth occurring November 6, 1833. Joseph DeForest, his father, was a native of the Nutmeg State, born in 1790; immigrated to Indiana Territory in 1815, locating at old Darlington, in Warrick County, where he resided one year.  In 1816 he bought a tract of land three miles west of Boonville's present site, and in 1818 he married Mary N. Denton, by whom he was the father of seven children.  He and wife experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and in 1867 and 1873, respectively, they were called to their final home above.  Both were consistent members of long standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Daniel A. is the youngest of his parents' family.  His early education was obtained in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse, afterward attending Asbury University at Greencastle.  He read medicine under the direction of Dr. E.T. Runcie, of Millersburg, completing his first course of lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and his second course in the Medical Department of Yale College, New Have, Conn., which granted him the degree of "M.D." in 1858.  He located for the practice of his profession at Ashbysburgh, KY., and in November, 1858, wedded Miss Margaret b. Markham; but in 1861, owing to the unsettled state of affairs caused by the Rebellion, he removed his family to Evansville, Ind., for a short time.  He assisted in recruiting the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Volunteer Regiment, declining the Captain's commission, having already accepted the position of Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. He remained in the service until called home by illness in his family, and shortly thereafter began practicing medicine at Newburgh.  On the death of his father he removed to his old home, where he has since resided.  He is a Republican, and Encampment member of the I.O.O.F., and a member of the A.O.U.W.  His farm is under laid with an excellent quality of bituminous coal, and having leased 200 acres for a period of ninety-nine years that portion is being worked extensively, yielding 30,000 bushels per month.  Dr. DeForest and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and parents of ten children, these seven yet living:  William H., Alberta, Gertrude, Daniel F., Sylvester, Grace and Hattie L.