French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #202a, James French, 1831 RESEARCH
Salt Creek, Decatur Co. and Franklin Co., Indiana
Stipps Hill, Franklin Co., Indiana
Sheridan, Sheridan Co., Wyoming

Research on Finding James French’s Father

Let’s say that James had siblings who were born between 1825-1835 in OH. James’ father would have been in the 1830 census in Ohio, and James or his father would have been in the 1840 census in OH and perhaps also in the 1850 census of OH or in Franklin Co. IN where James B. French’s wife lived.

The 1880 census of Salt Creek, Franklin Co., IN, states that James B. French’s father was born in NY and his mother in VT. James was 49 when he stated those facts, but it has been virtually impossible to find this family further back. James died 7 years later, and for all we know, he could have been thinking about his grandfather, not his father. Also, he could have been thinking that he emigrated through NY, having come from England, but not really born in NY.

Perhaps a brother of James French

1.2 John French, b. 30 Oct 1832 in Hamilton, OH, had the following passport issued on 25 Oct 1862 at age 29, stating he was born in Hamilton, OH.

Possible Siblings of James French

“A” John French was born in New York and appears in the 1830 census of German, Clark Co., OH. In 1840 he is in the same township. In the 1850 census, he is in the same township, born in 1795 in New York, age 55, living with his wife Ann, age 48, born in VA. They have son David French, b. 1823 in OH, son Michael French born 1834 in OH, son Charles b. 1835 in OH, son James b. 1838 in OH, and son Truman b. 1844 in OH. He could have been James French’s uncle.

Candidates for James French’s Father

James French’s father was born in New York according to the 1880 census of son James French of Salt Creek, Franklin Co., IN, when James was 52 and states that his mother was born in Vermont and his father in New York – this is the best clue we have so far for his ancestry. Using a birth date for his father not after 1814 (using setting 1794-1814) when he would have been 18 to 38 years of age, if he had son James in 1831, and was born in NY, and lived in OH where we know his son James was born, I would first search the 1850 census, two years before James was married and perhaps he lived at home. There are 7 men as such: John, Samson, Truman, David, William, James, and Marvin.

John, b. 1795 in NY, but wife Ann was not born in VT, but they do have a son James b. 1838 in OH.

Samson, b. 1796 in NY, but wife Betsy was not born in VT.

Truman, b. 1804 in NY, but wife Rosetta was not born in VT.

David, b. 1807 in NY, but wife Sarah was not born in VT.

William, b. 1809 in NY, but wife Margaret was not born in VT.

James, b. 1811 in NY, but wife Rebecca was not born in VT, and their children are too young. Proven incorrect.

Marvin, b. 1813 in NY, but wife Anna was not born in VT.

No luck there. So I sent back and looked at the original copy of the 1880 census. It clearly states that his mother was born in Vermont, and on the same page with the same handwriting is written Virginia, and they are very much different.

Candidates for James French’s Mother

Looking at the 1850 census for a female (now French) born 1804-1817 in Vermont, I find 6 responses of women who lived in 1850 in Ohio: Nancy, Philena, Sophia, Asenath, Nancy, and Mary. One of these women could have been the mother of James and that her husband had died.

Nancy, b. 1804 in VT, living with husband Ira French who was also born in VT. They had son Maynard French Sr. who was b. 7 Aug 1838 in Evansville, Vanderburg Co., IN, and d. 9 Nov 1882 in Glendale, Hamilton Co., OH. He m. Adaline C. Harwood French (1840-1903) and had 3 children: William Taylor French, Edward Harwood French, Wallace French. For details, see http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42123160.

Philena, b. 1806 in VT, living with husband Artemas French who was also born in VT, b. 1798 and lived in Painesville, Lake Co. OH in 1850 and 1860 and 1870.

Sophia, b. 1807 in VT, living with husband Jedidiah French who was also born in VT.

****** this next person is a possibility

Asenath, b. 1810 in VT, living with husband John French who was born in NH; however, they have a son named James, b. 1833 in Ohio, and a son named Henry, both of which are names from this line. In the 1850 census John was living in York, Medina Co., OH. He had a son, James, b. 1833 in York, Medina, Ohio. John French was b. 1802 in NH, and m. Asenath French who was b. 1810 in VT. In the 1840 census of York, Medina Co., OH, he was living with his wife and 5 of his children. The other two were born after 1840. In the 1870 census of Dorr, Allegan Co., MI, John is 68 and living with his wife Asenath age 61, and son James, age 37, born 1833 in OH, and Amanda French, b. 1843 in Michigan, age 27, and Anna French, age 4, b. 1870 in MI. John and Asenath French’s children were:

Almira French, b. 1827 in New York
Mary French, b. 1830 in OH
James French, b. 1833 in OH, In the 1880 census of Whitewater, Grand Traverse Co., MI, James is listed as married to Amanda; he is 47 and she is 37. Because he is listed in the 1880 census in MI, he could not be also listed in the 1880 census of Salt Creek, IN, so this James is probably not the correct one, but he almost fits.
Harrison H. French, b. 1835 in OH
Levi French, b. 1838 in OH
Henry French, b. 1843 in OH
Rosany French, b. 1845 in OH
Farmer (Fannie) Childs, b. 1782 in Vermont, who probably was Asenath’s mother, therefore revealing her surname. In the 1860 census, she was living in Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY

******

Nancy, b. 1811 in VT, living with husband Edwin who was born in OH in 1808.

Mary, b. 1817 in VT, living with husband Isaac who was also born in VT.

James French’s Father was Not Named James

1830 Census Ohio just before James was born in 1831, might show a marriage record for his parents. Guessing on his father’s name as James, there are 5 in this census:

· James French of Monroe, Holmes Co., OH

· James French of Bethel, Miami Co., OH

· James French of Circleville, Pickaway, OH

· James French of Brush Creek, Muskingum Co., OH (this has already proven to be FFA Chart #36)

· James G. French of Reily, Butler Co., OH. He seems like the most logical person (see the 1840 census of Franklin Co., IN).

There are 9 men named James French who lived in New York in 1830 in these counties: Tompkins, Orange, Chenango, Steuben, New York, Steuben, Tioga, Yates, and Monroe. The puzzle would be easy if we knew his name were James.

1840 Census Ohio when James was 8 years old. I would highly suspect that both James and his father were in Ohio or perhaps Franklin County, Indiana.

· James French of Taylor, Muskingum, OH (this has already proven to be FFA Chart #36)

· James French of Millersbury, Holmes, OH

· James French of Lake, Logan Co., OH (no child under 20)

· James French of Montgomery Co., OH

· James French of Bethel, Miami Co., OH

· James French of Berlin, Knox Co., OH

· James M. French of Bucyrus, Crawford Co., OH

1840 Census Franklin County, Indiana. There is an I.G. French listed in the combined territories of Washington and Marion and Sandcreek and Clay and Adams in Decatur, Indiana. Because of the mention of Sandcreek, this could be a possibility. In parentheses they list I. G. French as J. G. French on ancestry.com, which is a welcoming clue in that he could have been James. Listed are 1 male under 5, no males listed between 5 and 10 which would include James at age 9, 3 males between 10 thru 14 (one might be James depending on when the census was taken), 1 male from 15 thru 19, 2 males from 40 to 49, 1 female under 5, 2 females from 15 to 19, 1 female from 30 thru 39, a total of 11 people. His father would have been born between 1790 to 1800. His neighbors were Parker and Johnson, which doesn’t provide any clue. So, let’s take a look at that person born in New York.

1850 Census Ohio 1790-1890 lists James B. French living in Muskingum County, Ohio Page 064 Brush Creek Township. He is listed as age 18; therefore, born in 1832. Ref. [1] gave me this data, but I could not find it. I could find only 6 men named James French in the 1850 census in Ohio who were born between 1830 to 1834. All of the counties below were established between 1790-1824. None of these men seem to be James’ father. (this has already proven to be FFA Chart #36)

· James French in Hardy, Holmes Co., OH (both parents born in PA)

· James French in Crosby, Hamilton Co., OH (both parents born in England)

· James French in York, Medina Co., OH (father was born in NH, mother in VT, but this family moved to Michigan, not Indiana)

· James French in Wayne, Montgomery Co., OH (both parents born in PA)

· James N. French in Jackson, Champaign Co., OH (incorrect middle initial).

· James Burgess French, age 61, b. ca. 1789, in the 1850 census of Muskingum Co., OH, married to Nancy Triplett, but they are both from Virginia and part of FFA Chart #36 that have different DNA test results.

Searching for a Location – Wayne Co., OH

Looking at the 1830 census of Wayne Co., OH, for any French, and there are 5: Alpheas, Ora, James, Moses, and Richard.

Alpheas, he was over 50 and children were over 10. He was b. 1771 in MA.

Ora B, he was b. 1806 in NY, and his wife Abbey was born in NY. No son James in later census records.

James, none that fit.

Moses, could fit, but no son is named Moses. From Dohrman, Tuscarawas, OH

Richard, could fit, but no son is named Richard. From Dohrman, Tuscarawas, OH

Then looking at the 1840 census of Ohio for any French with a son aged 8, and there are 14 with children under 20.

Isaac, child under 20 is a daughter.

John, no child under 10

L. P., no child under 10

Richard, no male under 10

*Moses, one male 5-9 (in 1850 states he was born in NJ)

C. E., no male 5-20

*Everett, 2 males 5-9 (not in 1850)

*James, 2 males under 15 (already proven incorrect above)

Jeremiah, no males under 15

*John, 2 males 5-9 (wife not from VT)

*Samuel, 1 male 5-9 (not born in NY)

*Thomas, 1 male 5-9 (wife not born in VT)

*William, 1 male 5-9 (wife not born in VT)

*Thomas J., 1 male 5-9 (wife not born in VT)

*This cuts it down to 8. Hoping these men are still alive in 1850 and still living in Ohio, comments are given above in parenthesis, but no luck.

Now, let’s just look at all the census records for any woman with the surname French who was born before 1816 in Vermont and married between 1814-1834. None were born in VT. Then, do the same search with no name to search, but that her husband was a French born in NY. Too many.

Of all these searches, the closest parents would be Cyrus E. French, b. 1801 in NH, and both his parents were born in NH, and his wife Sarah J. French, b. 1812 in VT. They have a son James H. French, b. 1838 in Sharon, Medina Co., OH. Nothing more can be found as far as I can see. Looking at Wayne Co., OH, only son Charles b. 1857 is listed.

In one of my searches, I came across a James French born ca. 1801 in NY, aged 79 in the 1880 census of Elmira, Chemung Co., NY, living with his wife Martha, born 1812 in NJ, and who parents were both born in NJ. James father was born in Vermont and his mother in NH. This James never lived in Ohio, plus his middle initial was S, not B.

So, searching all census records for a James B. French born between 1827 and 1837, I find 24. None fit.

From a book I read online, Abraham French was a resident of Franklin Township in Ohio in the “Hanging Rock Iron Region” (which is near Salt Creek) in 1816, but that his father, Henry French, did not vote in that area. Henry French was born in Virginia in 1765, and his wife, Abigail, in 1773. They moved to Gallia County in 1815, and soon thereafter to Franklin Co., OH. Abraham became an active citizen of Jackson, Ohio, and married Rachel Ridenour in Dec 1832, and they moved into the town where they opened a tavern, which they conducted until 1865. He also managed a stage line from Gallipolis through Jackson to Chillicothe, and had several mail routes. His sons, Smith French and A. A. French drove coaches and lived on Salt Creek. This information is from FFA Chart #192 which has completely different DNA – DNA Group 11.

Let’s suppose that James French was born in NY in 1832 and moved to Ohio by the 1850 census.

Close Research But No Cigar

The following research is close to matching this line, but no cigar. I’m keeping it here to show what is not correct:

George French, b. 1818 in NY, lived in Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, in the 1880 census. These would have been the correct dates and places of the father of James B. French, but no link has been determined.

Lewis French, b. 1837 in OH, resided in Wayne, Montgomery Co., OH, where he registered for the draft during the Civil War, 1863-1865. He was married and age 26 by 11 Jul 1863.

This Civil War Draft Registration shows brothers James and Lewis listed together, both born in Ohio, and living in Wayne, Montgomery, Ohio in 1863. Unfortunately, this Lewis is from FFA Chart #36.

James French of Wayne, Montgomery Co., Ohio

Another listing in the 1880 census of Wayne, Montgomery Co., OH, states that James French was 46, born 1834 in OH, married to Martha, who was 31 at that time, born in 1849 in OH. Living next to James is another French family: Louis, b. 1838; Mary A. (wife of Louis) b. 1839; and their children George C. b, 1863, Sarah J., b. 1865, Harriet, b. 1867; Luella, b. 1871, Mary E., b. 1873, Davis C., b. 1878. Because these names conflict with the actual family of this line (FFA Chart #202), I’m considering any of the French family from Wayne, Montgomery Co., OH, not to be of this line.

James resided in Wayne, Montgomery Co., OH, where he registered for the draft during the Civil War, 1863-1865. He was unmarried and age 30 by 11 Jul 1863, therefore born in 1833. (Either this record or the following one is incorrect)

Charles B. French, b. 1859 in OH. He d. 7 Jan 1948 in Wayne Co., OH, and is buried at the Wayne County Home Cemetery in Wooster, Wayne Co., OH.

Perhaps Close Brothers of James French

Sluman M. French was a restaurant and confectionery owner in Osceola, Polk Co., Nebraska. He moved to Nebraska in April 1880 and opened his business that year in Oct. He was born in Geauga Co., OH on 20 Nov 1828, left his native state in 1847, and came West to Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for a number of years. Cassius Clarence French of FFA Chart #202 was b. 7 Apr 1887 in Osceola, Polk Co., Nebraska. Because of the proximity of dates, and that Sluman was born in 1828 and James in 1832, these lines may be connected.

Sherman Morgan (called Morgan) French also lived in Osceola, Polk Co., Nebraska in 1880. He was b. 1828 in OH, and his parents were both born in NY. In 1850 and 1860 he was living in Paw Paw, DeKalb Co., IL. Probably his father, Sherman French lived in New York and married there on 3 Aug 1828 in Monroe, NY, to Laury Turney; however, they stayed in NY, and since James was born 1831 in Ohio, Sherman is not his father.

John W. French was b. 1839 in Warren Co., OH, and was admitted to the U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in 1873 in Dayton, Montgomery Co. (formerly Greene Co.), Ohio. Right area and right time to be a brother of James. He states that his parents were Samuel F. French and Rachel French, and there is no James in the family in 1850 when James would have been 19 and could have moved away. Samuel was b. in 1818 in Ohio and was living in 1880 in Farmington, Trumbull Co., OH. He states both his parents were born in NY. He is a farmer and married to Mary French, probably a second married because she was 36, born in Ireland in 1844, and he was 62, born in 1818 in Ohio.

No Connection to Clarence French of This Line

We believe that our line never lived in Iowa.

Clarence m. Stella A. Pool before 1925. An Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925, with a census taken on 1 Jan 1925, states that Clarence was b. ca. 1885 (different from 1887) in Nebraska, he was married to Stella A. Pool of Nevada, Story Co., Iowa, b. 1882 in Iowa, the dau. of Hannah Bryant of Iowa and Butler Pool of Indiana. Clarence’s father was Ira French, born in Indiana, and his mother was Sabina Webbe, born in Iowa. The 1930 census shows Clarence, b. 1887 in Nebraska, living in 1930 in Nevada, Story Co., Iowa with his spouse Stella and 2 children: Greta and Max.

The Social Security Death Index states that Clarence was born 18 Nov 1885 and d. Jan 1969 at age 83 in Nevada, Story Co., IA.

Children of Clarence and Stella A. (Pool) French

Greta Fern French, b. 1913 in Iowa, lived in the 1930 census in Nevada, Story Co., Iowa. By 1925 when she was 12, she was living with N.C. and Addie Smith, but the record states that her father was Clarence French of Nebraska and her mother was Grace Perry. Greta was the niece of N. C. Smith. In the 1920 census of Richland, Story Co., Iowa, she is living with her parents, Clarence and Grace E. French, and with her brother Everett, b. 1818 in Iowa, also to the same parents. I would assume that by 1925, either Greta died because in the 1930 census, Greta is living with Stella, her step-mother, and with Everett whom they refer to as Max.

Everett Max French, b. 12 Mar 1918 in Iowa, lived in the 1930 census in Nevada, Story Co., Iowa. He d. Oct 1974. He enlisted in WWII on 17 Mar 1943, in Iowa, a Private, single without dependents.

* * * * * * * *

Ancestry of Ora B. French

In the 1830 census, Ora B. French (20-30) was living in Lake, Wayne Co., OH with only his wife Abigail (20-30), no children. They were both born between 1800-1810. Ora B. French was born in New York on 18 Nov 1805 and therefore was 25 years old when he first appears in Ohio.

By the 1840 census, Ora was living in Porter Co., IN, when James would have been 9 years old. Listed with him is a son between 0-5 who would be Solon. Also listed is a son age 5-9 who would be Alpheus. There are no older children; therefore, James is not part of this family, but he could have been a son of a brother of Ora. Both Ora and his wife were 30-39. They also have 1 daughter 0-5 and 3 more daughters 5-9. He was the Postmaster, along with E. J. Green, of Porter township, Indiana.

Ora B. French’s ancestry could be as follows:

James French, b. 1 Jul 1831 in OH (date conflicts with next birth) – not of this line, but close.
Wealthy M. French, b. 16 Mar 1831 in OH, never married
Sylvia Ciloe French, b. 1833 in OH, never married
Alpheus Chandler French, b. 1835 in OH
Solon French b. 1838 in IN, d. 1925 in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN
Lydia Jane French, b. 1840 in IN, m. Josiah Luddington
Matilda Hannah French, b. 27 Nov 1841 in IN, m. Edward Adams
Mary Elizabeth French, b. 1844 in IN, m. James Stephens
Susan Lovisa French, b. 1848 in IN, never married
Amanda C. French, b. 21 Nov 1852 in IN
Lovisa A. French, b. 1855 in IN

By the 1850 census of Porter, Porter Co., IN, Ora states he was born in NY in 1806, his wife Abigail was b. in 1810 in NY, and living with 6 children. By the 1860 census in Porter, Ora is 54, Abbey is 50, living with 9 children. Ora B. French signed a land certificate on 1 Jul 1831 in Wayne Co., OH; he owned 80 acres which he purchased on 24 Apr 1820 along the Ohio River in Wayne Co., OH. Ora B. French had relatives Alpheus and Calvin and Elder French who appears in the History of Pine twp., Porter Co., IN, in 1838 [11]. Alpheus was b. 1771 (perhaps the father of Ora), d. 1860, and is buried at the Old City Cemetery in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN. Ora B. French died 3 May 1891 at 85y 5m 5d. There, he was born on 18 Nov 1805 using this calculator: http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html. He is buried at the Ludington Cemetery in Porter Co., IN. According to the census records, Abby was 5 years younger than Ora. By the 1880 census, Ora was a farmer, widower, born in New York, living with daughters Wealthy, Sylvia, and Susan.

Abby, wife of Ora B. French d. 12 Mar 1878, aged 87y 11m 4d. She was born in 1810, therefore, the gravestone is incorrect. She was 45 years old when she had her last child.

****

Researched Possibilities

John French, b. ca. 1838 in OH, who lived in Dixon, Preble Co., OH, in 1880 could possibly have been a brother of James; however, he states that both his parents were born in PA.

Catherine J. French, b. ca. 1828 in OH, who lived in Gratis, Preble Co., OH, in the 1850 census, was married to Joseph French. His criteria does not fit in this family.

I checked the marriage records from 1820 to 1832 in OH, and there are no French men.

Sherman French lived in New York and married there on 3 Aug 1828 in Monroe, NY, to Laury Turney; however, they stayed in NY.

There are only 7 men born in NY between 1795-1815 when James’ father would have been only 16 when he had him, or 36 at the oldest.

Benjamin, b. 1814 in NY – moved to Michigan

Jessie J. b. 1801 in NY – stayed in NY

John French b. 1805 in NY – stayed in NY, NJ, and Michigan

William b. 1810 – lived in NY and IL

Hugh b. 1812 – stayed in NY

Hiram b. 1813 -- stayed in NY

Hollis b. 1809 – stayed in NY

***

James French’s mother could have been Rachel M. French, b. 1795 in Vermont, a widow in the 1850 census of Washington, Morrow Co., Ohio, living with her daughter Minerva French, born 1818 in Vermont, who married Wellington Cass, b. 1817 in New York. They had daughter Thankful J. Cass, b. 1848 in Ohio, who married Joseph Burt. Thankful’s father was born in New York and her mother in Vermont.

***

The strange situation is that James does not appear in the 1850 census nor in the 1870 census. The ONLY James listed in the 1870 census are James French of Dorr, Allegan Co., Michigan and James French of Hudson, Summit Co., OH, each born ca. 1831-1833. The James of Hudson does not fit in any way or shape. The James from Dorr does have possibilities. His parents were John and Asenath French; John was born in NH, but his first child was born in NY, perhaps indicating that he also was born in NY; Asenath was born in VT. However, this James appears in the 1860 census in Dorr and is therefore conflicting with the James in the 1860 census in Salt Creek, Decatur Co., IN, which is the one we are looking for.

Asenath, b. 1810 in VT, living with husband John who was born in NH; however, they have a son named James, b. 1833 in Ohio, and a son named Henry, both of which are names from this line. In the 1850 census John was living in York, Medina Co., OH. He had a son, James, b. 1833 in York, Medina, Ohio. John French was b. 1802 in NH, and m. Asenath French who was b. 1810 in VT. In the 1840 census of York, Medina Co., OH, he was living with his wife and 5 of his children. The other two were born after 1840. In the 1870 census of Dorr, Allegan Co., MI, John is 68 and living with his wife Asenath age 61. They are living with son James, age 37, born 1833 in OH, and his wife Amanda French, b. 1843 in Michigan, age 27, and Anna French, age 4, b. 1870 in MI. Their children were:

Almira French, b. 1827 in New York
Mary French, b. 1830 in OH
James French, b. 1833 in OH, In the 1880 census of Whitewater, Grand Traverse Co., MI, James is listed as married to Amanda; he is 47 and she is 37.
Harrison H. French, b. 1835 in OH
Levi French, b. 1838 in OH
Henry French, b. 1843 in OH
Rosany French, b. 1845 in OH
Farmer (Fannie) Childs, b. 1782 in Vermont, who probably was Asenath’s mother, therefore revealing her surname. In the 1860 census, she was living in Chateaugay, Franklin Co., NY

***

From the History of Waynesboro: Waynesboro County was formerly called Cumberland, but later called Franklin County. First settlers here were Adam French in 1829 where his house is listed as the last one in town. Also listed are J. B. French and A. A. French as being members of the Waynesboro Lodge, I.O.O.F. In 1899 Mrs. Ethel French, guardian of finance, is listed. James B. French is again listed as first corporal during the War for the Union in 1861. Also listed is Colonel V. H. French. James B. French is listed again as a charter member of Captain Walker Post numbered 27. Waynesboro and Cumberland and Franklin Counties were formerly in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Note that the James B. French of Pennsylvania was born in 1842 in PA.

French Family Who Moved From Kentucky to Ohio to Indiana – FFA Chart #31

1. John A. French

John A. French was b. 1798 and d. 22 Oct 1850, aged 52 years old, and is buried at the Sand Creek (not Salt Creek) Cemetery, Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN. John A. French is the only French buried at the Sand Creek Cemetery. Ancestry.com shows 14 men named John A. French, none from Indiana or Ohio.

There is “a” John L. French, b. 1798 in NY, living in 1850 in Jennings Co. next to Decatur Co., IN, m. Polly Ross on 21 Mar 1824. Another John French was b. 1795 in NY and lived in German, Clark Co., OH, in 1850.

John A. French, d. 22 Oct 1850, in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN. Sand Creek Bridge, Greensburg, Decatur Co., Indiana

The French Lick Township is found in Greensburg and named after the French country, not the surname. It got its name from an early French outpost in the area and the nearby salt lick – the town has rich mineral springs.

2. Loring Wallace French, b. 31 Jan 1836 and his brother William M. French

Also buried in Decatur Co., IN is Catharine S. Antrobus, married to L. W. French (Loraine W. French, also referred to as Loring) on 2 Jan 1860 in Washington, Decatur Co., IN. She was born 16 Feb 1838 in Greensburg, Indiana, d. 11 Aug 1861 at age only 23, and was buried at the Kingston Cemetery in Kingston, Decatur Co., IN. Catherine S. Antrobus is listed in the 1850 census of Washington, Decatur Co., IN, living with her parents who were from Kentucky and her siblings.

Loraine W. French was b. 1833 in IN and was in the 1860 census of Washington, Decatur Co., IN. He is listed as a dentist and married. After the death of his wife, he eventually moved to Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA by the 1870 census. In the 1880 census, he has m2. Mary and states that both his parents were born in New York – he could have been the brother of James B. French. Again he is a dentist with 3 children: Clara French age 6; Edith French age 3; Charles E. French age 7m. He is listed as a resident of Plumas, California in 1867, Loring Wallace French. He is still listed as a voter in the same area in 1879, 1884, and 1888. If Loring was the brother of James, their parents moved from Ohio to Indiana in 1832 between the two births. In “An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California” is the following:

Dr. Loring W. French, one of the pioneer dentists of the Pacific Coast, was born in the town of Rising Sun (later called Randolph Twp.), Ohio County, Indiana, January 31, 1836. From 1852 to 1856 he was engaged with his brother, William M. French**, in publishing the Jeffersonville (Indiana) Republican*. During the latter year he began the study of dentistry in Louisville, Kentucky, with Dr. J. A. McClellen, cousin of General George B. McClellen. Locating in Greensburg, Indiana, he practiced six years, and upon the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted as a private in the Seventy-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for the term of six months. His regiment did post duty in Henderson, Kentucky, where he served a good portion of his term as Quartermaster. Soon after leaving the service he came to California, via the Nicaragua route, arriving in San Francisco in March 1863. Going from there to Sierra County, and later to Plumas County, he settled in practice in La Porte, formerly one of the most important mining towns in the State, remaining there six years. He invested a large portion of the earnings from his professional work in mines and prospecting — with loss. In 1868 he came to Los Angeles, then a place of between 4,000 and 5,000 population, when the land in close proximity to the town could be bought for 50 cents per acre. At that time the only dentists in Southern California were one or two who traveled about, stopping a few days in a place, and who left soon after Dr. French settled here. He soon controlled the entire dental business of this part of the State, his patients often coming a hundred miles, and even from Arizona, to have work done. Dr. French is one of the original members of the Odontological Society of Southern California, and has been its treasurer from its organization. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., was a charter member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 160, Los Angeles, and three times its presiding officer, He was Treasurer of the Southern California Odontological Society. Loring’s son Charles is also mentioned. Website: http://www.archive.org/stream/illustratedhisto01lewi/illustratedhisto01lewi_djvu.txt.

*The Indiana Republican of Rising Sun, Indiana shows publication dates of 1851-1854, and the publishers were W. M. & L. W. French. It was a weekly publication in English, independent on all subjects – neutral on none. In late April 1854 French moved the paper to Jeffersonville in Clark County. In his April 22, 1854 editorial, French said the title would be changed to "The Jeffersonville Republican." No issues with this title have been located, but it is known that on May 6, 1859, the title was French's Republican. Publishers: Aug. 1851-Sept. 1851, Hayden & Gregory; Sept. 1851-Dec. 1852, French & Gregory; Dec. 1852-Jan. 1853, William M. French; Jan. 1853-Sept. 1853, French & Craft; Sept. 1853-Nov. 1853, W. M. French; Nov. 1853-Apr. 1854, W. M. & L. W. French. William M. French lived in Clark Co., IN, in 1858.

The 1850 census of Gill, Sullivan Co., IN shows a William French b. 1825 in IN and a Wallace French b. 1830 in IN, and a Hester French born 1832 in IN. They are ages 25, 20, and 18 – no parents listed.

Catherine S. Antrobus French, d. 11 Aug 1861 at age only 23, and was buried at the Kingston Cemetery in Kingston, Decatur Co., IN.

**William M. French was b. 1831 in Ohio and states in the 1910 census of Porter, Porter Co., IN, that he is 79 and both parents were born in NY, the same as his brother had stated. Another William M. French (see below) was b. 1816 in New York (this could be the father of the one above, but only 15 years apart) and d. 8 Apr 1889. He m. E. Caroline who was b. 30 Aug 1818 and d. 23 Sep 1887. They lived in Madison, Jefferson Co., IN, in the 1850 census with their son Hayden T. French, b. 1840 in IN and lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN, in the 1860 census at age 19. Along with H. T. French in the 1860 census mentioned above are W. W. French, b. 1818 in New York (Wealthy French) and E. L. French, a female, b. 1819 in Indiana which shows that the family moved from NY to Indiana between 1818 and 1819. Living with them in this 1860 census is the Johnson family who are from Vermont. James B. French stated that his mother was from Vermont and his father from New York and that they both moved to Ohio where he was born. His mother might have been Hannah Johnson, age 54, born ca. 1806 in VT, who is in this census. It appears that Hannah Johnson is widowed and living with her 3 children (J. Johnson, A.M. Johnson, and Simeon S. Johnson), but perhaps she was first married to a man named French who could have died and she had children by him who are older than the Johnson children. They were also living with the Harbin family in 1860 who were from Kentucky. Perhaps one of the wives was a French. These could be the family of James B. French – more research is needed.

0.1 Hannah Johnson, b. 1806 in VT, lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN in 1860. She was married to James Johnson ca. 1824, and they are found in the 1850 census, living in West Windsor, Windsor Co., VT, with their son Simeon S. Johnson, b. 1836 in VT.

1.2 J. (Jonathan) Johnson (male) b. 1824 in VT, m. A. (Ann) M. Johnson (female), b. 1828 in PA. He lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN on 1 Jul 1863 when he signed up for the U.S. Civil War Draft.
1.3 Simeon S. Johnson, b. 1836 in VT, lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN, in 1860.

1.1 William M. French, b. 1816 in NY, d. 8 Apr 1889 where?, m. E. Caroline who was b. 30 Aug 1818 and d. 23 Sep 1887. They lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN in 1860. He would have been 15 when James was born.
1.2 W. (Wealthy) (female?) W. French, b. 1818 in NY
1.3 E. L. French (female), b. 1819 in IN

2.1 James B. French, b. 1831 in OH?????

2.2 William M. French, b. 1831 in OH, lived in Porter, Porter Co., IN, in 1910, parents born in NY
2.3 Loring Wallace French, b. 31 Jan 1836 in Randolph, Ohio Co., IN, and in 1860 lived in Washington, Decatur Co., IN, parents born in NY
2.4 Hayden T. French, b. 1840 in IN, lived in Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN, in 1860, parents born in NY. Hayden lived in Madison, Jefferson Co., IN, in 1850 with his parents, William M. French and Caroline E. French.
2.5

William M. and E. Caroline French buried at the Union Cemetery, Rising Sun (now called Randolph), Ohio Co., IN.

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“A” James French b. 1831 in OH, living in Richmond, Huron Co., Ohio on 1 Jul 1863, married, when he registered for the U.S. Civil War Draft of the 9^th Congressional District; however, this James turns up in the 1860 census of Richmond, Huron Co., OH living with his wife Eliza which is incorrect, plus their children James and Sarah.

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In the Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850, John W. (could be Willard) French is listed in 1835, 1836, and 1837 in Conneaut Twp., Ashtabula Co., OH. Apparently many of these early settlers to Conneaut came from Harpersfield, NY, in 1798 when Alexander Harper moved his company “Old Harpersfield Land Company” when he heard that western areas were “flowing with milk and honey”. No French is listed among the early settlers. There was a Volney F. French from this area who is part of FFA Chart #5 who was b. 1850 in PA. Also listed is an identified D. W. French who came to Ohio in 1820 and attended the district schools of Leroy Township, Ashtabula Co., OH. His wife’s name was Martha L. and they are both noted in 1833 at the Oberlin College. Also listed are Frank French, H. J. French, and W. M. French. D. W. French owned land in Rome, Ashtabula Co., OH in 1905. Also listed is N. E. French who was elected and held his office from 1858 to 1861. But, because James was a farmer, the FFA highly suspects that his father was also a farmer and that this is not his family.

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A good bet is James French b. 1831 in Ohio, living in the 1850 census of Lykens (North Shenango), Crawford Co., OH with his parents, Samuel, age 35 and Rebecca (Woodrow??) age 38. He is the oldest of 7 children. Others are Jno French, age 18; Joseph French age 16; Rosanna French age 13; Reazin French age 12; Cath French age 9; Esther French, age 7. Samuel was b. 1815 in OH, and Rebecca was b. 1812 in Ohio.

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On FamilySearch there is Ruth French who was b. ca. 1791 in VT, and lived in Ohio in 1870, age 79, with most likely her son F. M. (Frederick) French, age 46, b. 1824 in OH, and his wife Amanda M. French, age 43, born in 1827 in OH, and their daughter Katy French, 5 years, b. 1865 in OH. F. M. French was a farmer, which fits into this line. But, F. M. French states that he is from Jefferson, Ashtabula Co., OH, and his mother (Ruth) was from Vermont, and his father was born in Massachusetts, not New York. But, when you go back to the 1850 and 1860 census records of the same family, Ruth states that she is from Connecticut, not Vermont. Go figure? The 1860 census of Racine, Racine Co., WI, states she is living with perhaps her daughter, Perses Morton, age 28, b. 1832 in OH, and her husband John Morton. Ruth died by the 1880 census, which lists Frederick M. and Amanda living in Jefferson, Ashtabula Co., OH. The 1850 census does not yet list Amanda as Frederick’s wife as they were not yet married, but it does show Betsey B. who could be a sibling who married Harlow House and had son Niles H. House. Betsey B. House d. 17 Sep 1888 in Townsend, Sandusky Co., OH. This “could” indicate that James had these siblings:

Mother: Ruth French, b. 1791 in VT
Father: French, b. xxx in NY

Betsey B. French, b. 1818 in OH
Frederick M. French, b. 1824 in OH
Perses French, b. 1832 in OH

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John French, b. 1795 in NY, in 1860 lived in Adams, Champaign Co., OH. Champaign is the county where Julia Ann Brown’s family came from. In 1830 John lived in German, Clark Co., OH with a family of 5. In 1840 John lived in German, Clark Co., OH with a family of 7. This seems like the most likely family: red is 1850 census; green is 1860 census; 1870 census is blue;

John French, b. 1795 in NY, b. 1794. The burial records of his son say he was b. 2 Feb 1794 in Dummerston, Windham Co., VT and died after 1860 in Adams Twp, Champaign Co., ON.

Ann Stephenson French, wife, b. 1802 in Bath Co., Virginia, died before the 1870 census in Adams Twp, Champaign Co., OH – this is probably why James is not in the 1870 census of Salt Lick, Franklin Co., IN – because he was at his brother Charles house when his mother died; his father was living with Charles in Green, Shelby Co., OH, at the time.

David Martin French, son, b. 1823 in Clark Co., Ohio, d. in Clinton, Shelby Co., on 17 Jan 1909, m. Rachel Lorton who was b. 1825 in Clark Co., OH, d. ca. 1862. This is FFA Chart #5. See http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=French&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=37&GScnty=2114&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=19689220&df=all&

Michael French, son, b. 1834 in Ohio, b. 1832

Charles French, son, b. 1835 in Ohio, b. 1834, b. 1838, d. in Shelby Co., OH on 20 Mar 1915, buried at the County Home Cemetery.

James French, son, b. 1838 in Ohio, married in 1852 and moved to Franklin Co. IN. This is probably not the James we are looking for because he died on 8 Feb 1909 and is buried at the County Home Cemetery in Shelby Co., OH.

Truman French, son, b. 1844 in Ohio, b. 1843