French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #32, Laura Adelaide French, 1858
Preston Co., WV
Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN

This chart updated by Mara French on 4/29/09. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2009. Back to FFA Home Page.

Introduction

When I first started numbering FFA charts, I included both male and female lines; hence, this female line of a former FFA member. I’ve decided to keep these female lines in place so as not to confuse the numbering system.

As soon as the FFA finds the parents of Laura, this chart will no longer be maintained, but continue with her parent’s chart. Hopefully, it will connect into another male chart. Laura French’s parents seem not to be found anywhere. If you find more data, please email marafrench@mindspring.com.

History

The FFA member connected with this chart says Benjamin J. French was the father of Laura Adelaide French, b. ca. 1831, m. (first name perhaps Julia) Asbury. Benjamin’s parents are unknown. He had 2 children: Laura Adelaide French and Neil French. Both were left orphans very young and were raised by foster parents (unknown) [1].

Benjamin’s daughter, Laura Adelaide French, was b. 21 Apr 1858 in Indiana, d. 7 Nov 1930 in San Antonio, TX, m. Lafayette Finely Hall in 1878.

1858 – Laura born in Indiana

1870 – Laura was living in Batesville, Independence Co., AR, age 11

1878 – Laura married Lafayette Finely Hall – seems children born later

1893 – daughter Lela or Leota C. Hall born in OK

1896 – daughter Grace A. Hall born in OK

1897 – son Victor Hall born in OK

1898 – daughter Verda V. Hall born in OK

1900 – Laura and Lafayette living in Enid, Garfield Co., OK

1910 – Laura and Lafayette living in Stone, Major Co., OK

1930 – Laura d. in San Antonio, TX

1931 – Lafayette d. in San Antonio, TX

Lafayette Finely Hall

Lafayette F. Hall was b. 10 Feb 1858 in Independence, Preston Co., WV, d. 13 Apr 1931 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX.

Lafayette Finely Hall

William Adolphus Hall

Lafayette’s father was William Adolphus Hall, b. 1830 in West Virginia, enlisted in Union Army, West Virginia Cavalry, Company B, July 13, 1863, and fought in the Battle of Bull Run. He m1. Cynthia Scott (this line) on 15 Mar 1833, who died in 1867, m2. Ann Gallahue, 17 May 1868 near Palatine, WV. He went to Wilson Co. Kansas in 1871. He was admitted to Kansas State Insane Asylum in Topeka in 1880 where he died 20 July 1899. Buried at Topeka State Hospital Cemetery. William Adolphus Hall (1830-1899) and Cynthia Ann Scott (1833-1867) married on 15 Mar 1833 in Rockingham Co., VA, and moved to Independence, Taylor Co., WV. They were the parents of Lafayette Finely Hall who m. Laura Adelaide French.

William Adolphus Hall

Census Records

The 1860 census shows Benjamin, age 22, born in KY in 1838, a day laborer, living with Joseph French (61), Pamelia French (46), Laura A. French (20), Henry French (17), Willis French (15), Matilda French (13), William French (9), Ellen French (7), all born in KY, does not indicate relationship of these Frenches. In 1860 they were living in Smith Mills, Henderson Co., Kentucky. Benjamin may have named his daughter after his sister.

The 1870 census (below) shows a Laura A. French, born in Indiana, living in Batesville, Independence Co., AR, b. ca. 1859, age 11 (correct places and dates). She is the only French living with the Menick family (from Virginia) and 3 Wiley children (from Missouri). This could indicate that Laura was raised by foster parents. The 1870 census does not show a Neil French. In fact, no Neil French exists anywhere even close to these dates and places. FFA Chart #25 was also from Batesville, AR, but no connection was found.

The 1870 census of Pleasant Valley, Wilson Co., KS shows Lafayette Finley Hall, age 12.

In 1900 Lafayette Finely Hall (spelled Layfette) lived in Enid, Garfield, OK, with his wife Laura A., son Victor, 3 daughters Lela, Grace, and Verda, brother Ashford A. Hall, and brother-in-law Cornelius G. French, born Nov 1853 in Indiana, single. This last information helps a lot, because this would be Laura A. French’s brother.

In the 1870 census, Cornelius French was 17 (therefore born in 1853), born in Indiana, living in 1870 in Garrett, Douglas Co., IL, with his father Benjamin J. French age 39 born in KY, his mother Julia French age 42 born in KY, his sisters Josephine age 10 born in IN, Annie age 5 born in IL, Sally age 1 born in IL, and 3 others: L. M. McCrocklin age 21, Isaac Dean age 16, and James Dean age 15.

In 1870, Laura A. French would have been 12, so it is not known why she doesn’t appear in this census because her father was still living. It appears he was born in 1831 in KY. The closest to that date (and the census records aren’t always correct), would be Benjamin French b. 1835 in KY, living in Franklin Co., KY in 1850 with his parents William (65) and Polly (Asbury?) (57). Living next to them in 1850 were William French (33), Martha French (21), Sidney French (5), Isaac C. French (4), and Sally C. French (2).

In 1880, Cornelius French was living with a group of people: Poteet family, Simpson family, Portman, and Cox. He was 24, a laborer, single, b. ca. 1856 in Indiana, living in Westport, Jackson Co., MO.

In 1920, Cornelius appears in Hobart, Kiowa Co., OK, age 65, born ca. 1855 in IN, he states his father’s birth place was Kentucky, Cornelius is single, rents his home, lives alone.

In 1930, Cornelius G. French appears in Hobart, Kiowa Co., IK, age 76, born ca. 1854 in IN, living alone, he was a glass cutter in his own shop, and he states that both of his parents were born in Kentucky.

In 1910 Lafayette Finley Hall lived in Stone, Major Co., OK, and d. 13 Apr 1931 in San Antonio, TX. He was b. ca. 1858, and married to Laura A. Living with them were 3 of their children: Leota C. Hall (17), Grace A. Hall (14), and Verda V. Hall (12), all daughters born in Oklahoma.

Bibliography

[1] FFA member #81, E. H. (Jack) Nosler.

[2] Ancestors of Jim Smith, website: http://www.jimcsmith.net/legacy/f731.htm#f1042