Henry L. DeForest was born February 7, 1857 in Derby, Connecticut, and knew Henry Shelton Sanford from childhood. In 1870, DeForest came to Florida seeking better health in the warmer climate. He became Sanford’s agent and helped carry out the work of establishing Sanford, Florida. He managed the contracted workers for Sanford’s groves, especially the contracted Swedes that Sanford brought over in 1871.

By the 1880s, he had married Anna M. Sperry, also from Derby, and had become an established businessman and grove owner in Sanford. He built his general store in 1887 which was the second oldest brick building in Downtown Sanford. His general store was the building where the historic September 1887 fire stopped. DeForest built other commercial buildings in Downtown. His home, known as “The Palms,” was located at 105 Aldean Drive and still stands today. Henry L. DeForest died on December 23, 1902.

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