Dr. Daniel Alexander La Force,was born in Jefferson Co, Indiana, May 17, 1837, the son of Daniel G. and Margaret W. Monroe La Force. He went to Iowa with his parents in 1842. After receiving his diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk in 1862,he was commissioned Surgeon of the 56th U.S. Colored Troops, and after 9 months' service was placed in charge of a U.S. general hospital at Helena, Ark; he was also appointed Medical Director for the district of Eastern Arkansas, plus serving on the staff of Gen. E. A. Carr. He was mustered out Sept. 15, 1866. On Oct. 18, 1866, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, he married Miss Mahala J. Dudley, the daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley. During his residence in Agency City, Dr. La Force was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years. He was mayor of the city of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897, serving two terms. He and his wife had 4 children: William Brooks, Burdett Dudley, Edward Frank and Charles R.
Following article was courtesy of "IRISH EYES ARE SMILING"
"OTTUMWA TRI-WEEKLY COURIER", March 12, 1912: DR. LAFORCE DIED SUNDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS, WAS DISTINGUISHED IN HIS PROFESSION
Dr. D. A. LaForce, former mayor of Ottumwa, ex-representative from Wapello County, and a physician and surgeon of prominence, died Sunday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock, at the family residence,427 West Fourth Street. Dr. LaForce has been ill since August 1910, when he had a slight hemorrhage of the brain, which resulted in partial paralysis. Since that time he has not been able to follow his profession,in which he took rare delight. Dr. LaForce was a native of Indiana, but had spent most of his life in Iowa. He was a member of the state legislature in 1884 and was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. In his profession he was one of the best informed men of the state and he was the beloved physician in many homes. He was actively engaged in the practice of medicine for over fifty years.
The funeral services will be held at the family residence at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. T. W. Jeffrey and the Knights Templar will be in charge. Interment will be made in the Ottumwa cemetery.
Born in Indiana, Dr. LaForce was of French Huguenot descent. The Duke de la Force was commander in chief of the Huguenot forces one of the French provinces in the struggles of the Huguenots in maintaining their Protestant faith. As a small boy this same duke escaped slaughter in the great massacre of St. Bartholomew by feigning death lying in the street with the dead body of another victim thrown over him. Later life became grand marshal of France. On account of later persecutions many of the Huguenots sought refuge in America, locating chiefly in Virginia and the Carolinas. When Daniel Boone led the first colonists into Kentucky, Randolph LaForce with his family ancestors of Dr. LaForce were of the number. The parents of Doctor LaForce had family of four sons and three daughters who lived to maturity, but all of them have died except the oldest Dr. James W. LaForce of Monrovia, Cal., who is now in his eighty-sixth year. Moved to Iowa in 1842. A few years before the birth of Dr. LaForce his parents moved from Kentucky to Lexington, Indiana, where he was born. In 1842 they moved to Iowa. In the opening of the new purchase 1843, they settled on a farm near Birmingham, Van Buren County. In a few years they moved to Libertyville in Jefferson county and still later to Ashland, Wapello County, where Dr. LaForce's father "kept tavern" and owned, and a general store. At that time Prof. Hull, of the faculty of Oskaloosa College, conducted an academy of unusually high merit for a time, and Dr. LaForce attended this. After a course at the Iowa Wesleyan College he began to study medicine in 1857 at Ashland under the preceptorship of his brother Dr. James W. LaForce and of Dr. Samuel M. Evans. He also attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. As was frequently the custom of the time, after completing the first course of medical lectures he began to practice medicine In the vicinity of Ashland. In the next year he located near Denver, to which place he had gone overland across the plains with his brother, taking a herd of cattle. Having thus acquired sufficient funds he took another course of lectures, graduating from the Keokuk College in the spring of 1863. He took a post graduate course in 1882 at the Chicago Medical college, now the medical department of Northwestern University.
Was Surgeon in War. After graduation he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States hospital at Keokuk, where many thousands of sick and wounded soldiers were brought during the war. The next year he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 56th U. S. C. troops in the field and early promoted to surgeon. He was soon detailed to the United States hospital at Helena, Ark., where he was second in command. On the death of his chief on the field of battle he was made surgeon in full charge from May 8, 1864, until the close of the war. During the last year he was again promoted to be medical director of the eastern department of Arkansas. Before he was mustered out he was surgeon in charge of the quarantine station at St. Louis during an epidemic of cholera. Here he had charge of the treatment of over 700 cases of cholera, an experience of great interest and scientific value which is rarely given to a physician in this country. He was mustered out September 15, 1866. Since the war he has been an active member of the G. A. R. surgeon and post commander member of the Loyal Legion and many years pension examiner for Wapello County. In October, 1866, he married Miss Mehala Jane Dudley, daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley at Mt. Pleasant Iowa, where he practiced medicine three years and where his two oldest children William B., and Burdette D., were born. Thence he moved to Burlington for a few years and then to Agency for thirteen years. At the latter place he was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years.
Shortly after his removal to Ottumwa In 1884, he was elected to the state legislature as representative, reaching a position of influence and prominence as chairman and member of important committees. He was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. Besides the patriotic orders above mentioned Dr. LaForce was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, the Mystic Shrine, the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders. He has been a sincere, active churchman since early manhood, joining the Methodist church and was for several decades a member of the official board of the church, and for several years was Sunday school superintendent. In his professional life he showed marked ability. Besides the enviable reputation he gained as a surgeon in the army he had been eminently successful in gaining the esteem and admiration of his fellow practitioners and the love and confidence of his patrons. He was a member and president of several medical societies. As a citizen Dr. LaForce had a great deal of patriotism and public spirit. In politics he was an ardent republican and popular so that in elections he generally headed the ticket in the number of votes received. As a churchman and sincere Christian he has been a help and inspiration to many. In all of the varied circles of activity in which he was thus engaged he will greatly missed, and it would be hard to say in which his loss will be felt the keenest. It is certain that very few have filled so well as he the duties and responsibilities of the beloved family physician. Those of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four sons, William B., Burdette D., Frank E., and Charles R., and one brother Dr. James W. LaForce.
Following article was courtesy of "IRISH EYES ARE SMILING"
"OTTUMWA TRI-WEEKLY COURIER", March 12, 1912: DR. LAFORCE DIED SUNDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS, WAS DISTINGUISHED IN HIS PROFESSION
Dr. D. A. LaForce, former mayor of Ottumwa, ex-representative from Wapello County, and a physician and surgeon of prominence, died Sunday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock, at the family residence,427 West Fourth Street. Dr. LaForce has been ill since August 1910, when he had a slight hemorrhage of the brain, which resulted in partial paralysis. Since that time he has not been able to follow his profession,in which he took rare delight. Dr. LaForce was a native of Indiana, but had spent most of his life in Iowa. He was a member of the state legislature in 1884 and was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. In his profession he was one of the best informed men of the state and he was the beloved physician in many homes. He was actively engaged in the practice of medicine for over fifty years.
The funeral services will be held at the family residence at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. T. W. Jeffrey and the Knights Templar will be in charge. Interment will be made in the Ottumwa cemetery.
Born in Indiana, Dr. LaForce was of French Huguenot descent. The Duke de la Force was commander in chief of the Huguenot forces one of the French provinces in the struggles of the Huguenots in maintaining their Protestant faith. As a small boy this same duke escaped slaughter in the great massacre of St. Bartholomew by feigning death lying in the street with the dead body of another victim thrown over him. Later life became grand marshal of France. On account of later persecutions many of the Huguenots sought refuge in America, locating chiefly in Virginia and the Carolinas. When Daniel Boone led the first colonists into Kentucky, Randolph LaForce with his family ancestors of Dr. LaForce were of the number. The parents of Doctor LaForce had family of four sons and three daughters who lived to maturity, but all of them have died except the oldest Dr. James W. LaForce of Monrovia, Cal., who is now in his eighty-sixth year. Moved to Iowa in 1842. A few years before the birth of Dr. LaForce his parents moved from Kentucky to Lexington, Indiana, where he was born. In 1842 they moved to Iowa. In the opening of the new purchase 1843, they settled on a farm near Birmingham, Van Buren County. In a few years they moved to Libertyville in Jefferson county and still later to Ashland, Wapello County, where Dr. LaForce's father "kept tavern" and owned, and a general store. At that time Prof. Hull, of the faculty of Oskaloosa College, conducted an academy of unusually high merit for a time, and Dr. LaForce attended this. After a course at the Iowa Wesleyan College he began to study medicine in 1857 at Ashland under the preceptorship of his brother Dr. James W. LaForce and of Dr. Samuel M. Evans. He also attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. As was frequently the custom of the time, after completing the first course of medical lectures he began to practice medicine In the vicinity of Ashland. In the next year he located near Denver, to which place he had gone overland across the plains with his brother, taking a herd of cattle. Having thus acquired sufficient funds he took another course of lectures, graduating from the Keokuk College in the spring of 1863. He took a post graduate course in 1882 at the Chicago Medical college, now the medical department of Northwestern University.
Was Surgeon in War. After graduation he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States hospital at Keokuk, where many thousands of sick and wounded soldiers were brought during the war. The next year he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 56th U. S. C. troops in the field and early promoted to surgeon. He was soon detailed to the United States hospital at Helena, Ark., where he was second in command. On the death of his chief on the field of battle he was made surgeon in full charge from May 8, 1864, until the close of the war. During the last year he was again promoted to be medical director of the eastern department of Arkansas. Before he was mustered out he was surgeon in charge of the quarantine station at St. Louis during an epidemic of cholera. Here he had charge of the treatment of over 700 cases of cholera, an experience of great interest and scientific value which is rarely given to a physician in this country. He was mustered out September 15, 1866. Since the war he has been an active member of the G. A. R. surgeon and post commander member of the Loyal Legion and many years pension examiner for Wapello County. In October, 1866, he married Miss Mehala Jane Dudley, daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley at Mt. Pleasant Iowa, where he practiced medicine three years and where his two oldest children William B., and Burdette D., were born. Thence he moved to Burlington for a few years and then to Agency for thirteen years. At the latter place he was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years.
Shortly after his removal to Ottumwa In 1884, he was elected to the state legislature as representative, reaching a position of influence and prominence as chairman and member of important committees. He was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. Besides the patriotic orders above mentioned Dr. LaForce was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, the Mystic Shrine, the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders. He has been a sincere, active churchman since early manhood, joining the Methodist church and was for several decades a member of the official board of the church, and for several years was Sunday school superintendent. In his professional life he showed marked ability. Besides the enviable reputation he gained as a surgeon in the army he had been eminently successful in gaining the esteem and admiration of his fellow practitioners and the love and confidence of his patrons. He was a member and president of several medical societies. As a citizen Dr. LaForce had a great deal of patriotism and public spirit. In politics he was an ardent republican and popular so that in elections he generally headed the ticket in the number of votes received. As a churchman and sincere Christian he has been a help and inspiration to many. In all of the varied circles of activity in which he was thus engaged he will greatly missed, and it would be hard to say in which his loss will be felt the keenest. It is certain that very few have filled so well as he the duties and responsibilities of the beloved family physician. Those of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four sons, William B., Burdette D., Frank E., and Charles R., and one brother Dr. James W. LaForce.
Dr. Daniel Alexander La Force,was born in Jefferson Co, Indiana, May 17, 1837, the son of Daniel G. and Margaret W. Monroe La Force. He went to Iowa with his parents in 1842. After receiving his diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk in 1862,he was commissioned Surgeon of the 56th U.S. Colored Troops, and after 9 months' service was placed in charge of a U.S. general hospital at Helena, Ark; he was also appointed Medical Director for the district of Eastern Arkansas, plus serving on the staff of Gen. E. A. Carr. He was mustered out Sept. 15, 1866. On Oct. 18, 1866, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, he married Miss Mahala J. Dudley, the daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley. During his residence in Agency City, Dr. La Force was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years. He was mayor of the city of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897, serving two terms. He and his wife had 4 children: William Brooks, Burdett Dudley, Edward Frank and Charles R.
Following article was courtesy of "IRISH EYES ARE SMILING"
"OTTUMWA TRI-WEEKLY COURIER", March 12, 1912: DR. LAFORCE DIED SUNDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS, WAS DISTINGUISHED IN HIS PROFESSION
Dr. D. A. LaForce, former mayor of Ottumwa, ex-representative from Wapello County, and a physician and surgeon of prominence, died Sunday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock, at the family residence,427 West Fourth Street. Dr. LaForce has been ill since August 1910, when he had a slight hemorrhage of the brain, which resulted in partial paralysis. Since that time he has not been able to follow his profession,in which he took rare delight. Dr. LaForce was a native of Indiana, but had spent most of his life in Iowa. He was a member of the state legislature in 1884 and was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. In his profession he was one of the best informed men of the state and he was the beloved physician in many homes. He was actively engaged in the practice of medicine for over fifty years.
The funeral services will be held at the family residence at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. T. W. Jeffrey and the Knights Templar will be in charge. Interment will be made in the Ottumwa cemetery.
Born in Indiana, Dr. LaForce was of French Huguenot descent. The Duke de la Force was commander in chief of the Huguenot forces one of the French provinces in the struggles of the Huguenots in maintaining their Protestant faith. As a small boy this same duke escaped slaughter in the great massacre of St. Bartholomew by feigning death lying in the street with the dead body of another victim thrown over him. Later life became grand marshal of France. On account of later persecutions many of the Huguenots sought refuge in America, locating chiefly in Virginia and the Carolinas. When Daniel Boone led the first colonists into Kentucky, Randolph LaForce with his family ancestors of Dr. LaForce were of the number. The parents of Doctor LaForce had family of four sons and three daughters who lived to maturity, but all of them have died except the oldest Dr. James W. LaForce of Monrovia, Cal., who is now in his eighty-sixth year. Moved to Iowa in 1842. A few years before the birth of Dr. LaForce his parents moved from Kentucky to Lexington, Indiana, where he was born. In 1842 they moved to Iowa. In the opening of the new purchase 1843, they settled on a farm near Birmingham, Van Buren County. In a few years they moved to Libertyville in Jefferson county and still later to Ashland, Wapello County, where Dr. LaForce's father "kept tavern" and owned, and a general store. At that time Prof. Hull, of the faculty of Oskaloosa College, conducted an academy of unusually high merit for a time, and Dr. LaForce attended this. After a course at the Iowa Wesleyan College he began to study medicine in 1857 at Ashland under the preceptorship of his brother Dr. James W. LaForce and of Dr. Samuel M. Evans. He also attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. As was frequently the custom of the time, after completing the first course of medical lectures he began to practice medicine In the vicinity of Ashland. In the next year he located near Denver, to which place he had gone overland across the plains with his brother, taking a herd of cattle. Having thus acquired sufficient funds he took another course of lectures, graduating from the Keokuk College in the spring of 1863. He took a post graduate course in 1882 at the Chicago Medical college, now the medical department of Northwestern University.
Was Surgeon in War. After graduation he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States hospital at Keokuk, where many thousands of sick and wounded soldiers were brought during the war. The next year he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 56th U. S. C. troops in the field and early promoted to surgeon. He was soon detailed to the United States hospital at Helena, Ark., where he was second in command. On the death of his chief on the field of battle he was made surgeon in full charge from May 8, 1864, until the close of the war. During the last year he was again promoted to be medical director of the eastern department of Arkansas. Before he was mustered out he was surgeon in charge of the quarantine station at St. Louis during an epidemic of cholera. Here he had charge of the treatment of over 700 cases of cholera, an experience of great interest and scientific value which is rarely given to a physician in this country. He was mustered out September 15, 1866. Since the war he has been an active member of the G. A. R. surgeon and post commander member of the Loyal Legion and many years pension examiner for Wapello County. In October, 1866, he married Miss Mehala Jane Dudley, daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley at Mt. Pleasant Iowa, where he practiced medicine three years and where his two oldest children William B., and Burdette D., were born. Thence he moved to Burlington for a few years and then to Agency for thirteen years. At the latter place he was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years.
Shortly after his removal to Ottumwa In 1884, he was elected to the state legislature as representative, reaching a position of influence and prominence as chairman and member of important committees. He was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. Besides the patriotic orders above mentioned Dr. LaForce was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, the Mystic Shrine, the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders. He has been a sincere, active churchman since early manhood, joining the Methodist church and was for several decades a member of the official board of the church, and for several years was Sunday school superintendent. In his professional life he showed marked ability. Besides the enviable reputation he gained as a surgeon in the army he had been eminently successful in gaining the esteem and admiration of his fellow practitioners and the love and confidence of his patrons. He was a member and president of several medical societies. As a citizen Dr. LaForce had a great deal of patriotism and public spirit. In politics he was an ardent republican and popular so that in elections he generally headed the ticket in the number of votes received. As a churchman and sincere Christian he has been a help and inspiration to many. In all of the varied circles of activity in which he was thus engaged he will greatly missed, and it would be hard to say in which his loss will be felt the keenest. It is certain that very few have filled so well as he the duties and responsibilities of the beloved family physician. Those of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four sons, William B., Burdette D., Frank E., and Charles R., and one brother Dr. James W. LaForce.
Following article was courtesy of "IRISH EYES ARE SMILING"
"OTTUMWA TRI-WEEKLY COURIER", March 12, 1912: DR. LAFORCE DIED SUNDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS, WAS DISTINGUISHED IN HIS PROFESSION
Dr. D. A. LaForce, former mayor of Ottumwa, ex-representative from Wapello County, and a physician and surgeon of prominence, died Sunday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock, at the family residence,427 West Fourth Street. Dr. LaForce has been ill since August 1910, when he had a slight hemorrhage of the brain, which resulted in partial paralysis. Since that time he has not been able to follow his profession,in which he took rare delight. Dr. LaForce was a native of Indiana, but had spent most of his life in Iowa. He was a member of the state legislature in 1884 and was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. In his profession he was one of the best informed men of the state and he was the beloved physician in many homes. He was actively engaged in the practice of medicine for over fifty years.
The funeral services will be held at the family residence at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Rev. T. W. Jeffrey and the Knights Templar will be in charge. Interment will be made in the Ottumwa cemetery.
Born in Indiana, Dr. LaForce was of French Huguenot descent. The Duke de la Force was commander in chief of the Huguenot forces one of the French provinces in the struggles of the Huguenots in maintaining their Protestant faith. As a small boy this same duke escaped slaughter in the great massacre of St. Bartholomew by feigning death lying in the street with the dead body of another victim thrown over him. Later life became grand marshal of France. On account of later persecutions many of the Huguenots sought refuge in America, locating chiefly in Virginia and the Carolinas. When Daniel Boone led the first colonists into Kentucky, Randolph LaForce with his family ancestors of Dr. LaForce were of the number. The parents of Doctor LaForce had family of four sons and three daughters who lived to maturity, but all of them have died except the oldest Dr. James W. LaForce of Monrovia, Cal., who is now in his eighty-sixth year. Moved to Iowa in 1842. A few years before the birth of Dr. LaForce his parents moved from Kentucky to Lexington, Indiana, where he was born. In 1842 they moved to Iowa. In the opening of the new purchase 1843, they settled on a farm near Birmingham, Van Buren County. In a few years they moved to Libertyville in Jefferson county and still later to Ashland, Wapello County, where Dr. LaForce's father "kept tavern" and owned, and a general store. At that time Prof. Hull, of the faculty of Oskaloosa College, conducted an academy of unusually high merit for a time, and Dr. LaForce attended this. After a course at the Iowa Wesleyan College he began to study medicine in 1857 at Ashland under the preceptorship of his brother Dr. James W. LaForce and of Dr. Samuel M. Evans. He also attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. As was frequently the custom of the time, after completing the first course of medical lectures he began to practice medicine In the vicinity of Ashland. In the next year he located near Denver, to which place he had gone overland across the plains with his brother, taking a herd of cattle. Having thus acquired sufficient funds he took another course of lectures, graduating from the Keokuk College in the spring of 1863. He took a post graduate course in 1882 at the Chicago Medical college, now the medical department of Northwestern University.
Was Surgeon in War. After graduation he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States hospital at Keokuk, where many thousands of sick and wounded soldiers were brought during the war. The next year he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 56th U. S. C. troops in the field and early promoted to surgeon. He was soon detailed to the United States hospital at Helena, Ark., where he was second in command. On the death of his chief on the field of battle he was made surgeon in full charge from May 8, 1864, until the close of the war. During the last year he was again promoted to be medical director of the eastern department of Arkansas. Before he was mustered out he was surgeon in charge of the quarantine station at St. Louis during an epidemic of cholera. Here he had charge of the treatment of over 700 cases of cholera, an experience of great interest and scientific value which is rarely given to a physician in this country. He was mustered out September 15, 1866. Since the war he has been an active member of the G. A. R. surgeon and post commander member of the Loyal Legion and many years pension examiner for Wapello County. In October, 1866, he married Miss Mehala Jane Dudley, daughter of Rev. Edward and Eliza Dudley at Mt. Pleasant Iowa, where he practiced medicine three years and where his two oldest children William B., and Burdette D., were born. Thence he moved to Burlington for a few years and then to Agency for thirteen years. At the latter place he was a member of the school board for ten years, and of the city council for eight years.
Shortly after his removal to Ottumwa In 1884, he was elected to the state legislature as representative, reaching a position of influence and prominence as chairman and member of important committees. He was mayor of Ottumwa from 1893 to 1897. Besides the patriotic orders above mentioned Dr. LaForce was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, the Mystic Shrine, the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders. He has been a sincere, active churchman since early manhood, joining the Methodist church and was for several decades a member of the official board of the church, and for several years was Sunday school superintendent. In his professional life he showed marked ability. Besides the enviable reputation he gained as a surgeon in the army he had been eminently successful in gaining the esteem and admiration of his fellow practitioners and the love and confidence of his patrons. He was a member and president of several medical societies. As a citizen Dr. LaForce had a great deal of patriotism and public spirit. In politics he was an ardent republican and popular so that in elections he generally headed the ticket in the number of votes received. As a churchman and sincere Christian he has been a help and inspiration to many. In all of the varied circles of activity in which he was thus engaged he will greatly missed, and it would be hard to say in which his loss will be felt the keenest. It is certain that very few have filled so well as he the duties and responsibilities of the beloved family physician. Those of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four sons, William B., Burdette D., Frank E., and Charles R., and one brother Dr. James W. LaForce.
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