My Genealogy Hound

Raymond A. French. In the development of the agricultural resources of Posey county, which has placed her in the front rank among her sister counties of the State, it is probable no one family has been more numerously represented or has been of more material value in this development than that of which our subject is a worthy representative. The French family dates its founding in the county from the settlement of Doris French, who entered on land in what is now Lynn township in 1807. He was a native of Kentucky, born July 10, 1792. He married on March 17, 1818, Sarah Thomas, born October 9, 1801, who came to Posey county with her parents in 1814. Doris French was not only one of the first to settle in the county but was one of the most influential men among the pioneers, the leader of his section, and amassed, for his time, a comfortable fortune. His death occurred on August 28, 1855, and that of his wife on September 8, 1885. They were the parents of the following children: Zedoc, born September 19, 1819; James Thomas, born January 7, 1822; Samuel, born March 10, 1825; Maria, born October 4, 1827; Lardner Clark, born February 28, 1830; Ralph, born December 26, 1832; Thomas, born March 10, 1835, the grandfather of our subject, and Mary, born December 10, 1837. Thomas French attended the country schools of his neighborhood, assisted his father in the clearing of his forest covered land, farmed and incidentally underwent the hardships common to the lot of the early settlers. In 1855, when but twenty years of age, he married Angelina Calkins, who lived but thirteen months after her marriage. On March 15, 1857, he married Julia A. Greathouse, a daughter of George W. and Martha (Harshman) Greathouse (see sketch of F. M. Greathouse). In 1855 Mr. French purchased the farm now operated by his grandson. As a man among men, bearing his due share in connection with the practical activities and responsibilities of a work-a-day world, he was successful, but, over and above all, he gained a deep knowledge of the wellsprings from which emerge the stream of human motive and action. He was a man of high ideals, broad mind, and took an active interest in the questions of his time. He was a Republican in his political views, and though active in the interests of his party, was not inclined toward political office. His charities were many. Measures having for their object the welfare of the community received his active support. He loved the fields and flowers. He was a home builder. He believed in the sacredness of the hearth. He passed to his reward on March 11, 1910. To do justice to his memory within the limits of an article of this nature would be impossible, but in even touching the more salient points there may come objective lesson and incentive and thus a tribute of appreciation. His widow, aged seventy-eight, survives him and resides on the old homestead to which she came as a bride in 1857. They were the parents of one child, a son, Gustave French, born February 11, 1858. Gustave French acquired his education in the schools of Posey county. He was taught farming by his father, assisted in the carrying on of his farm properties and resided with him until his death, which occurred on June 6, 1891. While shooting squirrels among the trees in front of the farm residence his gun exploded, causing injuries from which he died. He married on February 23, 1882, Victoria Albright, a daughter of John T. and Mary (Jones) Albright, of Lynn township. They were the parents of two children: Raymond A., the subject of this sketch, and Gladys, born August 26, 1885. The widow and daughter are residents of Mt. Vernon. Raymond A. French was born on the family farm in Lynn township on April 5, 1883. After completing a course in the public schools of Posey county, he attended Columbia College, Evansville. In 1901 he sought employment in the West. Some two years were spent with cattle outfits in Wyoming and Utah, one year with a railroad constructing company. In 1904 he reached Seattle and secured the position of mail clerk on a steamer plying between that city and Victoria, B. C. In 1905 he resigned this position to accept that of freight clerk on a steamer plying between Seattle and Skagway, Alaska, and remained in this employment until 1908, when he returned to Posey county and took the management of the family farm properties. A student and close observer, his travels in the West and Northwest gave him opportunity for investigating at close range the scientific methods of farming in use there. He has applied the knowledge gained to the operation of his properties with satisfactory results. The French farms are well stocked, the improvements are modern and that order which only comes from system prevails in the conduct of carrying on. Mr. French married on January 15, 1907, Miss Katherine Gallick, a daughter of John Gallick a native of Austria, who is a resident of Ossining, N. Y. She was born at Miva, province of Nitra, Austria-Hungary, on November 24, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of three children: Allen Raymond born March 8, 1908; Doris Gustave, born September 9, 1909, and Ruth Anna, born March 9, 1913. The family attend the Episcopal church. Mr. French is one of the pushing, progressive men of the county, energetic and unassuming. He is in all respects a high type of the virile American and a worthy descendant of his pioneer ancestors. He is a member of New Harmony Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.