Darwin French

American poet Dr. Erasmus Darwin French (1822–1902) was an American man of adventure. He was born in New York State, trained as a medical doctor and then enlisted in the army, later becoming a silver prospector. He married Cornelia S. Cowles, daughter of Judge Cowles of San Diego in 1858. They had two sons, Alfred and Addison. Early years Dr. French was born in Middlesex, New York, on January 20, 1822. He was the son of Harvey and Amanda Hazelton French. His father was a veteran of the War of 1812. He attended local schools before moving to Michigan, where he attended Albion Seminary. While in Hillsdale County, he studied medicine and practiced as a doctor for some years. In 1845, he went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he enlisted in the US Army at the start of the Mexican–American War and entered the service as a private even though he was a practicing physician in civilian life. Middle years Dr. French's goal was to make his fortune in the world, and he set out to do that in December 1845. His plans were interrupted by the Mexican–American War, in which he served. After he was discharged in early 1847, he resumed his quest for adventure, purchased a large ranch northeas