History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

MR. AND MRS. L.L. FOREST                                      1896
By Mrs. Forest

     My parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gatchet, came to Portland, Oregon from James-town, Mo., in Oct. 1881, coming by rail to San Francisco and from there to Port-land by ocean steamer. They brought with them their five children and four more were added to the home circle in Oregon. My father was a carpenter but acted as a police officer for some years.
     On Oct. 14, 1896, I was married to Dr. E.T. Carns, we came at once to Hood River where he established a dental office in the upper floor of the Langille Building.
     In April 1897, while on a visit to our Portland home, Dr. Carns was stricken with lung trouble from which he never entirely recovered, On account of his poor health we moved to Portland where our son, Clarence, was born, January 20, 1898.
     In May 1899 Dr. Carns had so far recovered his health that we returned to Hood River where he continued to practice dentistry for more than ten years. He passed away in January 5, 1910. A year later I returned to my Portland home, and on Dec. 25, 1911, I was married to L.L. Forest, a native Oregonian and a loyal pioneer. His parents crossed the plains in early days and were married June 26, 1856, by Father Wilbur, an early missionary. His mother's name was Martha (Sloan) Forrest. "The Pioneer Campfire", a book written by Rev. G.W. Kennedy was highly prized by him as he was personally acquainted with most of the characters.
     The memory of my kind friends and neighbors in Hood River drew me once more to this "Garden of Eden", and in August 1913 we bought a small place on the state road which was once a part of the donation land claim of Amos Underwood.
     On September 17, 1927, I had the pleasure and honor of attending and registering as a Hood River Pioneer.

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