People of Detroit:
Francois de La Forest
Francois de La Forest (or Foret) was born in Paris in 1648. In 1679 and 1680, he accompanied La Salle to Fort Frontenac and present day Illinois, respectively. In 1682, La Forest was commandant of Fort Frontenac. While commandant, La Forest was instrumental in helping Frontenac (then Governor of New France) establish a peace treaty with the Iroquois.
When Frontenac was removed from office as Governor of New France, La Forest filed a complaint that eventually won Frontenac reinstatement.
In the summer of 1685, La Forest was made commandant of Fort St. Louis. He maintained that post until 1687.
On September 11, 1691, La Forest and 110 men, including his first officer, Alphonse de Tonty, left Quebec for Michilimackinac.
On November 11, 1702, La Forest and Charlotte Francoise Juchereau were married. They had one child who died in infancy.
On September 25, 1705, La Forest was made temporary commandant of Fort Ponchartrain. He was to serve while Cadillac was away. When Cadillac returned, the two had a falling out, and La Forest left Fort Ponchartrain for Quebec.
In 1710, La Forest was appointed to succeed Cadillac as commandant of Fort Ponchartrain. His age and health forced him to recommend Charles Regnault, Sieur du Buisson, instead. In the summer of 1712, La Forest replaced Buisson as commandant.
La Forest died in Quebec on October 16, 1714.
