David Fales, born in Boston, Massachusetts, enlisted in 1861 and served as a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War.  Fales attended Brown University and began to practice law in Newport upon graduation.  In 1868, he moved to Chicago, and eventually became a charter member of the Chicago Bar Association. Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Fales relocated to Lake Forest, Illinois, where he became a prominent figure in the community.

In Lake Forest, Fales held roles such as alderman and legal advisor, actively participating in the town’s early civic development. In 1898, he demonstrated his commitment to family and legacy by purchasing nine cemetery plots for his relatives at the local cemetery. Known for his dedication to public service, he was an influential leader who balanced professional achievement with civic duty throughout his career.

Fales was married to Mary Engs Lawton, who passed away in 1906. Fales passed away in Lake Forest in 1926, leaving a lasting impact on both the local legal field and the community. Their family is memorialized in Lake Forest's cemetery, where Fales himself was laid to rest, commemorating a life characterized by service and leadership​