Dr. Forrest Lee Cosby, Sr. (1864-1933) began practicing medicine in Columbus in 1899. He later served as Muscogee County health officer and county physician for 27 years, as well as being the head of the county tuberculosis sanatorium which bore his name. At the time of his death he was the head of the county relief organization. Shortly before he died, Cosby came to know George Washington Carver as a result of one of his appearances in Columbus.