David W. LaFollette (sometimes spelled La Follette) was born in Floyd County, Indiana, on September 13, 1825. His childhood was spent on the family farm where he was born and in local public schools. His first career was a teacher, but in 1847, he began reading law with Judge W. A. Porter in Corydon. He then attended the Indiana University Law Department and graduated in 1849. Little is known of the details of LaFollette’s legal career, but what is known includes his positions as Prosecuting Attorney for the Court of Common Pleas in Corydon (1852), practicing attorney in New Albany with James Collins (1855), Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Floyd County (1858), Attorney of New Albany, President of the Board of Public Education (New Alb...