Charles H. French

As printed in 1906

CHARLES H. FRENCH. Among the old settlers of the county who are interested in farming is Charles H. French, who resides on section 1, Bertrand township. While many exceed him in years there are not a great number of citizens who have longer resided in this portion of the state, for he was brought to this county when less than two years of age. His birth occurred in Onondaga county, New York, October ii, 185 1. His father, Samuel French, was a native of Hague, New York, and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He removed from Onondaga county, New York, to Michigan in the year 1853, locating on the farm where his son Charles now resides. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits and his labors resulted in reclaiming wild land and converting it into very productive fields. He was born in the year 1818 and died in 1892, after a life of usefulness, activity and honor that made him respected by all with whom he was associated. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, active in its work and influential in its councils. He served as elder and trustee and his co-operation was given to the various plans and movements for the growth and advancement of the church work and the extension of its influence. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and he stood for progress and improvement in citizenship and for truth, right and justice under all circumstances. He came of a family of English descent. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Bliss, was a native of Courtland, New York, and died in Bertrand township, when about forty-eight years of age. There were five children in the family who reached manhood and womanhood, while two died in infancy, Charles H. being the sixth child and the youngest living.

When in his second year Mr. French of this review was brought by his parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Bertrand township. Under the parental roof he was reared, being early trained to habits of industry, thrift and economy which have borne good fruit in later years. He was educated in the common schools and in the high school at Buchanan, and when not busy with his text-books gave his father the benefit of his services, remaining at home to the time of his marriage.

It was in 1876 that Mr. French was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Geyer, a daughter of John and Phebe Geyer. She was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, and died in 1890, leaving three children: Carson G., who married Anna Hedges, of Terre Haute, Indiana; Stella, of New York; Charlie F., at home. On the 31st of March, 1892, Mr. French was joined in wedlock to Miss Lucy A. Feather a daughter of Henry Feather, and they have one son, Henry F.

Mr. French owns a farm of two hundred and fifty-eight acres and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is also engaged in the dairy business, keeping eighteen cows for this purpose. He is now president of the Buchanan creamery, an enterprise which is proving profitable to the stockholders, for its products find a ready sale on the market and command the highest prices by reason of excellence. The farm of Mr. French is well appointed in its various equipments and accessories, such as facilitate farm work, and the fields are well tilled, giving promise of large harvests. Mr. French is a member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he takes a very active and helpful interest, and he is serving as an elder and trustee. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and for more than a half century he has stood for all that is upright and just in matters of relations to his fellowmen, for all that is progressive and practical in citizenship, and for all that is commendable in home and social relations.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.