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Third Generation

Children of John and Sarah (Young) French, 2.3

Members of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Newville, Cumberland, PA, grandchildren of Samuel French at church just after Samuel had died:
Oct 1816: John French (states he was in the state of Ohio), Mary French (states she was in the state of Ohio).
Jun 1822: William French (states he was in the state of Ohio)
May 1824: Samuel French (states he was in the state of Ohio)

3.1* Samuel French, b. 25 Aug 1817 in Metal Twp., Franklin Co., PA, d. 5 Nov 1881 in Newville, PA, aged 64 years, in East Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland Co., PA [40], m. Elizabeth Ziegler on 5 Mar 1840. Elizabeth was b. 19 Jun 1821 [6], d. 26 Mar 1862 [6] (most likely in childbirth with daughter Elizabeth / Lizzie), almost 41 years of age. They had at least 9 children [11], two dying at a young age.

1850 Census – Samuel 32, was living with his wife Elizabeth 27, and their 5 children William 10, Sarah A. 8, James 4, Matilda 2, and Rebecca newborn in West Pennsboro, Cumberland, PA. He was a cooper.

1860 Census – Samuel 41, was living with his wife Elizabeth 37, and their 7 children William 19, Sarah 17, Matilda 12, Rebecca 10, Anna 8, Arabella 5, Charles 2.

1870 Census – Samuel’s wife had died in 1862 and he is aged 52, living with his children Elizabeth 18, Arabell 14, Charles 12, and Elizabeth 8 in West Pennsboro, Cumberland, PA. His occupation was making barrels. Samuel was not the one appearing as “S. French” on the 1868 map of Conococheague Creek, but it probably was either Simon or Solomon, both children of William; see map.

1880 Census – Samuel was living as a widower, a cooper, age 63, b. 1817, in West Pennsborough, Cumberland, PA, at 396 Back St., with his daughter Bella (Arabell) 25. Arabelle later married Sollenberger.

1881 Nov 5 – Samuel died in Newville, PA, and he had attended the Big Spring United Presbyterian Church.

3.2 Mary (Polly) Ann French, b. 4 Sep 1819 in Metal Twp., Franklin Co., PA, d. 7 Oct 1889 in Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., PA, buried at the Spring Hill Cemetery, m. Timothy Holland in 1840. Timothy was b. in 1817, d. 20 May 1878 in Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., PA. They had 8 children: Sarah, Samuel, John, David, Mary, Daniel, Charles, and Robert [11].

3.3 Hannah French, b. 14 Oct 1821 probably Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. probably at the birth of her first child. She m. William Gracey or Gracy in 1839. William probably d. in 1883 in Caledonia, Marion Co., OH. They had a daughter, Hannah Gracey, who came to IL in 1851 with her grandparents, John and Sarah French [11].

3.4 Sarah French, b. 2 Jan 1823, Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 20 May 1905 at N. Henderson, Mercer Co. IL. She m. John Young Ernst, probably 1844 or 1845 [4] [8]. John was b. 16 Jun 1817, d. 19 Dec 1887 [16]. They had 10 children: William Ernst (stepson of Sarah), Elizabeth Ernst, Samuel Ernst (1848-1887), Mary Ernst, George Woodrow Ernst (1853-1931), John Young Ernst, Hannah Ellen Ernst (1856-1919, m. Hammon), Rebecca Ernst, Martha Ernst, and Henry Oscar Ernst.

Their son Samuel Ernst m. Margaret (Maggie) Humes whose mother was Sarah Belle Ernst and who was the dau. of Andrew Ernst who was the half-brother of John Young Erst (cousins married cousins). Their dau. was Sarah Alena Ernst Sharer and her son was Sam Sharer, originally of Alexis, IL near North Henderson, and next generation, their dau. was Diana Sharer Camp [4].

Sarah French Ernst and John Young Ernst

John and Sarah French Ernst were the pioneers of the French family migration to Illinois. Charlotte Sharper says, “Sometime in 1850 they migrated west, settling in Salem township, Knox Co., Illinois, not far from Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois. John Ernst bought 160 acres of land on 20 Oct 1853, then sold it on 5 Jun 1854 for a considerable profit and afterwards moved to North Henderson township, Mercer Co., Illinois [16].

3.5 Rebecca French, b. 15 Feb 1825, Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 3 Apr 1915, m. Paul Siebert in 1849. Paul was b. in 1825, d. in 1871 at 45 yrs of age. This family resided in Pittsburg, PA, and vicinity all their lives. No children, although two nieces lived with them: Rebecca French (daughter of Samuel French) and Rebecca Siebert Brown (daughter of Susan Brown) [6] [11].

3.6 Elizabeth French, b. 17 May 1829 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 12 Apr 1901, m. Samuel Eckman in Mar 1851. Samuel was b. in PA in 1821, d. 15 Jan 1902 in Knox Co., IL. Samuel and Elizabeth migrated to IL in Apr 1851 with Elizabeth’s parents, John and Sarah French. They had 5 children: John Young, Frank, Elder, Sarah, and Lillian Mae [6] [11].

3.7* John Young French I, b. 15 Sep 1830 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, or b. 15 Sep 1830 in Metal Township, Franklin Co., PA [1], d. 6 May 1904 near Dexter IA, m1. Rosanna L. Dredge on 24 Mar 1853. Rosanna was b. Mar 1829, d. 30 Oct 1864. John m2. Sarah Dunn Williams on 2 May 1867. Sarah was b. 11 Feb 1840, d. 18 Feb 1905 near Dexter, IA [11]. John Young French migrated to IL in 1851 with his parents, John and Sarah French. In the 1870 census of Kelly, Warren Co., IL, he was living with his family, his wife Sarah, and his son Lincoln 8, and William 2. In the 1880 census of Kelly, Warren Co., IL, he was living with his wife Sarah, son William 12, and son Fredrick 5. He was a farmer and states that both his parents were born in Pennsylvania. In the 1900 census of Union, Dallas Co., Iowa, he was living with Sarah and son William 31, and son Frederick 22. John Y. French d. 6 May 1904 in Dallas, Iowa, and is buried at Bear Creek Cemetery in Dexter, Dallas Co., Iowa, alongside his wife Sarah who was b. 11 Feb 1840 and d. 18 Feb 1905.

3.8 Robert French, b. 6 Apr 1833 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, death date unknown. Robert was living in Newville, Cumberland, PA, as a brickmaker with the Offord family, age 18, no other French in the household. In the 1860 census of Hopewell, Cumberland, PA, Robert was 28, living with his wife Mary E. (Graham) French 28, and their 2 daughters Carrie S. French 4 and Edith J. French 2, born 25 Aug 1858 and died 5 May 1929 at age 70. [6] [11]. Daughter Edith married John A. Walterick.

3.9 Isabella French, b. 27 Oct 1835 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 10 Jan 1864 in Mercer Co., IL, m. Joseph Dredge on 19 Feb 1855 in IL. Joseph was b. in 1833 in Cumberland Co., PA. The Dredge family had migrated in 1846 from Cumberland Co., PA. Joseph Dredge remarried and migrated to Nebraska where he died 20 Feb 1892 at Tilden, NB. Isabella and Joseph had 5 children: Hugh French, Mary Elmira, John Wilson, Sarah, and Henry [6] [11].

3.10* Hugh French, b. 30 Aug 1838 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, d. 7 Dec 1907 in Quincy, Adams County, IL, at the Old Soldier’s Home-Quincy, m. Louisa Lusetta Schroeder on 28 Feb 1867. Louisa was b. 3 Jul 1848 in Newburg, NY. Louisa d. 2 Nov 1928 in Galesburg, IL [6] [11]. Hugh is buried in the Sparta Township Cemetery in Wataga, Knox County, Illinois.

Children of William and Jemima (Devor) French, 2.4

3.11* David French, b. 1821 as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with his wife Jane 30, and their children Joseph 9, William 7, Malvinan 5, Margaret 3, Isabella 0. David d. 1867, m. Jane Deavor / Devor who was b. 1816, d. 1893 [15]. David was a Cooper working with miscellaneous wood products.

David’s mother-in-law, Jemima Devor, was the daughter of James Devor who lived in the household of William’s father, Samuel. James Devor was the son of Joseph Daver from Scotland. The brother of James Devor was Jesse Devor, b. in 1771 and died in 1833. Jesse was a farmer in Path Valley, which is in Metal and Fannett townships in PA. Jesse Devor m. Amy Peterson in 1815. Their daughter Jane was b. in 1816 and d. in 1893, and m. David French on 31 Dec 1840. David and Jane had issue: Joseph, William, Melvina who m. James McCain, Margaret who m. Solomon Crouse, Amy who m. William Richardson, Lucinda who m. John Sanno, Mary, and Jemima Jane [21]. David appears on a consolidated list of all persons of Class II, subject to do military duty in the Sixteenth Congressional District of Franklin County, PA, 1863 at the start of the Civil War, listed as age 44, a cooper.

3.12 Ann French, b. 1819.

3.13 John French, b. 1821.

3.14 Martha French, b. 1826, d. 1911.

3.15 Nancy French, b. 1828 as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with her parents and siblings. Listed in 1850 census, parents William 54, Jemimah 54, Solomon 21, Robert 18, Simon 13, Nancy 22, William 14.

3.16* Solomon French, b. 23 Aug 1830 in Amberson Valley, Franklin County, PA as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with his parents and siblings, d. 8 Dec 1880, aged 50 in Franklin, PA, buried in Amberson Union Cemetery, Amberson, Franklin, PA, m. Mary Ellen Mort on 6 Oct 1853, b. 1835 in Burnt Cabins, Fulton County, PA, d. 20 May 1922 aged 87 in Amberson, Franklin, PA, and is buried in the same cemetery. He served in the Civil War, and had a gunshot wound on his shoulder. In 1858, Solomon and his brother William lived near Laurel Grove. One of the older places near the Conococheague stream was an earlier Drake Cabin where William was born. They may have had son W. A. French (William Albert French), as his name appears on Mary Ellen’s certificate of death below; William Albert French was b. 1854 and d. 1931, and m. Annie Rosanna Fleagle in 1899; they had daughter Blanche French, 1895-1967 who m. Hetrick.

1850 census -- parents William 54, Jemimah 54, Solomon 21, Robert 18, Simon 13, Nancy 22, William 14.

1870 census – Solomon was 40, living with wife Mary 35, in Fannett, Franklin, PA. Either his name or Simon French’s name is listed on the 1868 map of the Conococheague stream, living next to William and James; see map. Catherine Stake was aged 16 in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA. She was living with Solomon French 40 and his wife Mary French 35, and their children William 16, James 14, and Ida 11. Also living in the same household were George Stake 23, Wilson Stake 19, and Jennette Logan. Catherine married Solomon’s younger brother, Simon.

1880 Dec 8 – Solomon French died at age 50 in Franklin, PA. See Lawsuit by his widow Mary French for Solomon’s Pension. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_gj9AsQGtF3Nk9rYXp1OE00WUk/view?usp=drivesdk

3.17 Robert French, b. 1832 as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with her parents and siblings. Listed in 1850 census, parents William 54, Jemimah 54, Solomon 21, Robert 18, Simon 13, Nancy 22, William 14.

3.18 William French, b. 1835 in Fannett, Franklin, PA, as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with her parents and siblings. In 1858, William and his brother Solomon lived near Laurel Grove. One of the older places near the Conococheague stream was an earlier Drake cabin where William was born. He served in the Civil War. Listed in 1850 census, parents William 54, Jemimah 54, Solomon 21, Robert 18, Simon 13, Nancy 22, William 14.

3.19* Simon French, b. 17 May 1837 as per the 1850 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, living with her parents and siblings, d. 1903 in Altoona, Lakemont, PA, and in 2020, Altoona was in Blair County. Simon m. Catherine “Angeline” Stake, born 1835, died in 1915. Simon served in the Civil War. In the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, Simon was 36, Angeline was 38, and their 6 children living with them were Mary 13, Barbara 11, Robert 9, Porter 6, David 3, and Clinton 2/12. Simon appears as “S. French” on the 1868 map of Fannett, Franklin, PA, see 1868 map. The only French family who lived in the 1870 census, 2 years after this map was drawn, in Fannett, Franklin, PA, (out of 26 Frenches living there at that time), “S French” could only have been Solomon French, b. 1830; or Simon French, b. 1834 – both sons of William French. “J French” could only have been Joseph French, b. 1842; or Jane French b. 1842 after her husband David died the previous year.

Catherine Stake was 16 in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, born in 1854. She was living with Solomon French 40 and his wife Mary French 35, and their children William 16, James 14, and Ida 11. Also living in the same household were George Stake 23, Wilson Stake 19, and Jennette Logan. Catherine married Solomon’s younger brother, Simon. (need to recheck this data).

Newspaper article from 1903 in Altoona, Lakemont, PA

1850 census -- Simon is age 13, with parents William 54, Jemimah 54, Solomon 21, Robert 18, Simon 13, Nancy 22, William 14.

1870 census – Simon is 36, Angeline is 38, Mary is 13, Barbara is 11, Robert is 9, Porter is 6, David is 3, and Clinton is 0, living in Fannette township, Franklin, PA, close to the Orrstown post office.

1880 census – Simon is 40, Katherine is 40, Elizabeth is 23, Annie is 22, Robert is 18, McClellan is 15, David is 13, Noah is 9, George is 6, Margaret is 1.

1900 Census –

1903 – Simon died in Altoona, Lakemont, PA. Simon’s ancestors from this area were sent down on train and then buried in Huntington County, PA, which was Mifflin County back in 1898.

All the papers I came across from Simon was no one said anything about his mom and dad William French...Just where he came from franklin county.pa....I know the Frenched came from Franklin county then up to a place called Burnt Cabins and then moved to Huntington ..a town ..then they moved to altoona and a place called Lakemount ..pa..At one time there was so many French family in there because of the trains and work..At one time it was a big place in Lakemount...I find out that there was a place in Huntington that so many French family lived there that it was called

Frenchville ... somewhere close to that is where Simon and his wife and a lot of there children are

Children of Robert and Nancy French, 2.8

3.20 Martin French, b. 1834 in PA, a ship carpenter.

3.21 Hannah M. French, b. 1840.

3.22 Martha I. French, b. 1845.

Children of David and Jane (Devor) French, 2.9

3.23 Joseph French, b. Jan 1842 in PA, was a school teacher in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 28. He m. Jane Mariah Hammond in 1866, she was b. 13 Feb 1842, d. 24 Sep 1914, and is buried with her husband. In the 1880 census, Joseph was 38, Jane 38, and they had 2 daughters: Elizabeth (Lizzie A.) 13 (who later married Love, and Grace M. 8. Lizzie A. French was b. 1867 and d. 1942.

Joseph died on 17 Dec 1914 in Franklin County, PA, and is buried in the Spring Run Cemetery in Spring Run, Franklin County, PA, on 16950 Main St., as the son of David French and Mariah Jane French. Jane Mariah Hammond French died 1914 – they were both born and died the same years. The only French family who lived in the 1870 census, 2 years after the 1868 map was drawn, in Fannett, Franklin, PA, (out of 26 Frenches living there at that time), “S French” could only have been Solomon French, b. 1830; or Simon French, b. 1834 – both sons of William French. “J French” could only have been Joseph French, b. 1842; or Jane French b. 1842 after her husband David died the previous year.

Joseph French

3.24 William French.

3.25 Melvina French, b. 1846 in PA, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 23, m. James McCain. She d. 1902 and is buried in the Spring Run Cemetery in Spring Run, Franklin, PA.

3.26 Margaret French, b. 1848 in PA, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 22, m. Solomon Crouse.

3.27 Amy (Amie) French, b. 1850 in PA, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 20, m. William Richardson.

3.28 Lucinda French, b. 1852 in PA, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 18, m. John Sanno.

3.29 Mary French, b. 1854 in PA, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 16. She d. 1924 and is buried in the Spring Run Cemetery in Spring Run, Franklin County, PA, on 16950 Main St.

3.30 Jemima Jane French, b. 1857, listed in the 1870 census of Fannett, Franklin, PA, aged 13.

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Third Generation