My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES H. FRENCH, an enterprising general agriculturist, handles some highly-bred stock upon his fine homestead located on section 1, Bertrand Township, Berrien County, Mich., and owns one of the most attractive farming properties in this part of the county. A number of valuable horses are housed on the old farm, whose large acreage, brought up to a highly productive state, is also improved by excellent buildings, a handsome and commodious house, and capacious and substantial barns. Our subject was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., October 11, 1851. His father, Samuel French, was a native of Hague, N. Y., and was reared and educated in his birth place. Trained in the daily routine of agricultural life from his boyhood, he attained manhood self-reliant and energetic, and entered with resolution into the tilling of the soil upon his own account. He married comparatively early in life, and with his wife located near Borodino upon a farm. After due consideration the father and mother resolved to make their home in the West, and in 1854 with their family journeyed to Michigan and settled in Berrien County, upon the one hundred and fifty-five acre farm where our subject now resides.

Financially prospered in his Western home, Samuel French added to his original purchase, until at the time of his death the homestead contained three hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable land. The father was a thoroughly practical farmer and his ventures in stock resulted profitably. He was never a politician in the common acceptation of the term, but was actively interested in local and national issues and voted the Republican ticket. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Buchanan Township from its organization in 1857, was an Elder all that time, and liberally assisted in its support and the extension of its good work. He was one of the prominent members of the County Grange, and was identified with numerous progressive enterprises and participated in all matters of public welfare. He died mourned by many friends with whom he had fraternally associated almost two-score years, passing to his rest February 7, 1892. He was interred in the presence of a large congregation in the Howe Cemetery. The paternal grandfather, Titus French, was like his immediate descendants a native of the Empire State. A farmer by occupation, he courageously shouldered a gun in the hour of need and served in the War of 1812.

The mother of our subject, Sarah (Bliss) French, was born in New York and died at fifty-seven years of age. Her father was born in England and emigrated to America when a young man. The father and mother of Charles H. French were the parents of seven children, three daughters and four sons. The eldest and youngest child died in infancy. Our subject was the sixth child and the fourth son, and accompanied his parents to Michigan when a little child two years of age. He attended the district schools of Buchanan Township, and when old enough began to assist upon the farm. He remained with his father and mother until his marriage to Miss Sarah H. Geyer, October 18, 1876. The bride was a native of Indiana. Immediately following the wedding, our subject and his estimable wife made their home in Bertrand Township, Berrien County. Mrs. Sarah H. French did not survive her marriage many years, but lived to become the mother of three children: Carson G., Stella May and Charles F. A second time Mr. French entered matrimonial bonds, his present wife having been Miss Lucy A. Feather, daughter of J. H. and Lucy (Bachtel) Feather. Mrs. French was born in Oronoko Township, Berrien County, Mich. J3y his second wife our subject has no children.

The valuable homestead was materially improved in 1877 by the erection of the modern residence, which cost $3,000. With the exception of six acres of attractive woodland, the entire farm of two hundred and fifty-eight acres is all finely cultivated and highly productive. Mr. French, like his honored father, affiliates with the Republican party. He is liberal and progressive in his ideas and fully appreciates the obligations entailed upon all loyal American citizens.