The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 516-517
Dr. Allen Furnas was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 27, 1821, the eldest of eight children of Isaac and Esly Furnas, natives of South Carolina, early settlers of Ohio, and in 1826 moved to Marion County, Ind., where they spent the last years of their lives. His education was obtained under adverse circumstances, having very little opportunity to attend school. After the work on the farm was done for the day he spent his evenings in studying by the light of a hickory bark or by scooping out a turnip and filling the cavity with lard, and putting a wick in it. His father was a physician and he therefore had access to some medical books, and after reaching manhood he went to Cincinnati and studied with Dr. Curtice, subsequently attending a course of lectures at the Physio-Medical College. In 1845 he began his practice in Marion County, and in 1847 moved to Hendricks County and located at Danville. In 1851 he moved to the farm where he has since lived, three miles southwest of Danville, and for five years continued his practice in connection with his farming pursuits. Since then he has given his exclusive attention to the work of his farm, making a specialty of fruit culture. He also pays considerable attention to the raising of sugar cane, and is President of the Northern Indiana Cane-Growers' Association, and Vice-President of the National Association. He was President of the Indiana State Horticultural Association two years. He is an able and frequent contributor to the State and National agricultural journals. His farm contains 160 acres, and is now carried on by his son-in-law. He was married in 1847 to Zeruiah A. Hodson, a native of North Carolina. They have but one child, a daughter--Laura H., wife of William E. Mendenhall. In 1868 Dr. Furnas was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature, and was twice re-elected, serving six years. One term he was the nominee of both the Republican and Democratic parties. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends.