- J. H. FRENCH, retired; was born at Bath, N.H., Sept. 26,
1819, and came to Wisconsin in
- June, 1857, locating in Beloit; at Bath, for nine years,
he was engaged in the dry goods business, and for three years,
in the manufacture of potato starch; from Bath he went to Boston,
and for three years, was city salesman for Brown, Knapp &
Co., wholesale druggists; from Boston, he went to Beloit, where
he engaged in the lumber business, and at the end of four months,
associated with Messrs. FARR & HILL, and continued the business
under the firm name of FARR, HILL & FRENCH, when to lumber
they added coal, grain, and the manufacture of sash, doors and
blinds; this continued for about two years, when they dissolved
partnership, Mr. FRENCH taking the coal and grain, and continued
in this for about two years. During the fight between the American
and Merchants Union Express Cos., he, for two years, took charge
of the business of the American Express Co; in 1861, he was appointed
United States Commissioner of Rock Co., for the enrollment, during
the war and afterward, as Special Agent for the Government during
the war; from 1865 to 1868, he was engaged in the general produce
business, buying and shipping grain, and afterward, for five
years, was traveling on the road for White Bros. & Co., clothing
and gents' furnishings; in 1873, was cashier and book-keeper
for the MERRILL & HOUSTON Iron Works; Mr. FRENCH was a member
of the School Board of District No. 1 for about three years.
He married, September 22, 1857, Ellen M. BAXTER, of Barton, Vt.;
he has one son, Paul D., now in Kansas City, in the drug business.
Mr. and Mrs. FRENCH are members of the First Congregational Church,
at Beloit.
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-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 746.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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