MIGenWeb Family Group Sheet for the
Joseph Luther FRENCH Family of Michigan.
submitted by Daniel Wesley Linderman for Barry County.
***********************************************
Copyright 2003 Daniel Wesley Linderman & MIGenWeb. All rights reserved.
***********************************************
================================================================================
Husband: Joseph Luther FRENCH (1, 2)
================================================================================
AKA:
Born: 1832 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (2, 3)
Christened:
Died: 27 Jun 1906 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA (2)
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (2, 4)
Father: Joseph FRENCH (Est 1781-Est 1836) (2, 3)
Mother: Lucy GOVE (Abt 1800-Est 1836) (2, 3, 5)
Married: 29 May 1852
Place: Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (2, 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
Wife: Betsey BOYD (2)
================================================================================
AKA:
Born: Abt 1836 (2)
Christened:
Died: 30 Jan 1920 - Battle Creek City, Battle Creek Township, Calhoun
County, Michigan, USA (2, 5)
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (2, 4, 5)
Father: Enoch BOYD (Abt 1806- ) (5, 9, 10)
Mother: Laura WALTON (Abt 1810- ) (5, 9, 10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
Children
================================================================================
1 M George FRENCH (5)
Born: Abt 1852 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Climena UNKNOWN ( - )
Marr. Date:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 F Laura Ann FRENCH (3, 13, 14, 15)
Born: 29 Oct 1854 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (5,
14, 16, 17)
Christened:
Died: 29 Jan 1940 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA (14,
17)
Buried: 1940 - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County,
Michigan, USA (4, 17)
Spouse: Nathaniel F. EDMONDS (1848-1931) (14, 18, 19)
Marr. Date: 31 Dec 1871 - Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore Township,
Barry County, Michigan, USA (20)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 F Ida FRENCH
Born: Abt 1857 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (21)
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Mr. GODDARD ( - )
Marr. Date:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 F Abby FRENCH (5, 21)
Born: Abt 1859 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (21)
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: John BENEDICT ( - )
Marr. Date: 1894 - Barry County, Michigan, USA (23)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 M Alexander Quigley FRENCH (5)
Born: 12 Dec 1861 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (5)
Christened:
Died: 20 Jul 1935 - Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan (5, 24)
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (4, 5)
Spouse: Libbie Mae HOOK (1864-1938)
Marr. Date: 17 Sep 1880 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 M Wesley Newell FRENCH (3, 25)
Born: 16 May 1866 - Seabrook, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA (3)
Christened:
Died: 29 Jun 1946 - Bellevue, Eaton County, Michigan (3)
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (4)
Spouse: Nellie May REID (1868-1955) (26, 27)
Marr. Date: 23 Nov 1893 - Hastings, Hastings Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (3, 26)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 F Gertrude FRENCH (5)
Born: Abt 1867
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Silas M. GASKILL (Abt 1864- ) (5, 29)
Marr. Date: 1 Jan 1888 - Barry County, Michigan, USA (30)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 F Linnie E. FRENCH (5)
Born: 1870 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA (31)
Christened:
Died: 1935
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA
Spouse: Frank PURSELL (Abt 1863- )
Marr. Date: 1890 - Barry County, Michigan, USA (32, 33)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 M Warren FRENCH (5)
Born: 1873 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA
Christened:
Died: Abt 1873 - Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA
Buried: - Dowling Cemetery, Baltimore Township, Barry County, Michigan,
USA (4)
Status: Died as infant
Spouse: Never Married
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
Husband's Burial Notes
================================================================================
Date of burial 1906 Lot 19 Grave 2
I have visited the grave many times.
================================================================================
Husband's General Notes
================================================================================
History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, published in 1885 : page 396;
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Not withstanding the fact that a class under the auspices of this church has
existed since 1855, repeated interviews with its older members have failed to
discover any early records or secure information relative to its history.
Preaching was for many years held in one of the schoolhouses of the township,
and in 1873 measures were taken for the erection of a church edifice, which
were successful. In 1874 the building was completed and dedicated. It is a
spacious and substantial frame structure, standing on section 21. Services are
at present held semi-monthly, and conducted by Elder Janes, of Johnstown. A
flourishing Sabbath-school is connected with the church, under the
superintendence of A. Heath. The board of trustees are Dr. A. L. Van Horn,
Moses Aldrich, Julius Crosby, J. C. Arnold, Joseph L. French, Harrison
Mershon.
__________________________________________________________
BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985 : page 89 "Joseph L. French"
Joseph L. French
Joseph L. [Luther] French was born in 1832 at Seabrook, New Hampshire, the
son of Joseph and Lucy (Gove) French. This small coastal village and its
neighbor, Salisbury, Massachusetts, had been home to his ancestors for nearly
two centuries prior to his birth.
On May 29, 1852, Joseph married Betsey Boyd. She was the daughter of Enoch
and Laura (Walton) Boyd and was also a descendant of early settlers. Joseph was
employed by a local shoe factory and in their first years of marriage they
lived with Betsey's grandfather. Seven children were born to this couple while
residing at Seabrook: George, Laura, Ida, Abby, Alex, Wesley and Gertrude. Two
more were later born in Michigan: Lyney and Warren, who died in infancy.
In August 1868, Joseph purchased at public auction a 94-acrefarm in section
21 of Baltimore Township, for the sum of $2425. It is believed the family moved
to Michigan the following year, after the birth of Gertrude. The farming
venture was entered into with a minimum of equipment and a few stock animals.
Their first crops were corn, wheat and potatoes, with later additions of oats
and one hundred apple trees [some of these trees still exist on the farm now
owned by Horace Edmonds, a grandson of his daughter Laura, only 54-acres remain
in family] . Sheep were raised for wool and cattle for slaughter. All work was
done by family members.
George French eventually returned to the east coast to live. He and his
wife, Climena, raised four sons: George, Herbert, Willie and Chester.
Laura married Nathaniel Edmonds and had three children. Ida married Frank
Pursell; they had four children. Gertrude and her husband, Silas Gaskill, had
three children. Abby and John Benedict married and had two sons. Lyney wed
Frank Pursell and raised two children.
Wesley French and his wife, Nellie Reid, had a son and four daughters:
Sterling, Gladys, Clair, Mildred and Sadie.
Alex French married Libbie Hook, daughter of neighbors Daniel and Mary
Elizabeth (Newton) Hook, on September 17, 1880. They had five children, four of
whom lived to maturity: Glenna (1884-1972), married Vern Bivens, Daniel Archie
(1888-1969), Bert (1892-1963), married Marion Jarman, and Elzie (1896-1965).
The first child, Loyal, died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. French were active members of the Baltimore M. E. Church, were
Joseph was Sunday School Superintendent and if needed could and did preach many
good sermons.
Joseph died on June 27, 1906 at his home located one mile north of Dowling.
Betsey lived until January 30, 1920, when she died at the home of her grandson
in Battle Creek, Michigan. Their graves are located in the Dowling Cemetery
beside that of their infant son. (2)
================================================================================
Wife's Burial Notes
================================================================================
Lot 19 Grave 1
================================================================================
Death Notes for Child: Laura Ann FRENCH
================================================================================
Obituary from Bull Scrapbooks.
Laura A. Edmonds departed this life January 29 at the home of her son
Wesley after a ten day illness, age 85 years and two months. She was the
daughter of Joseph and Betsy French and was born Salisbury, Massachusetts,
October 29, 1854.
She came to Barry county with her parents at the age of 14 and resided in
Baltimore township the remainder of her life. On December 31, 1871, she was
united in marriage to Nathaniel Edmonds. To this union three children were
born, Leroy, Anna Maud and Wesley. Leroy, Anna Maud and her husband preceded
her in death.
When a young lady she gave her heart to the Lord and was a member of the
Methodist church.
She leaves to mourn their loss a son, Wesley; seven grandchildren; five
great grandchildren; one brother, Wesley French, of Bellevue; two sisters, Mrs.
Abbie Benedict of Cedar Creek and Mrs. Gertie Gaskill of Battle Creek; a host
of other relatives ans friends.
She was a helpful, true wife, a fond, loving mother, a good, kind neighbor
to all. She bore her burden of life with a loving heart and a warm smile.
================================================================================
General Notes for Child Laura Ann FRENCH
================================================================================
Laura's family can be found in BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985 page 89 "Joseph L.
French"
Her granddaughter Hilda Arabelle (Edmonds) Linderman/Cardinal/Jackson says that
Laura said her name was "Annie Laurie."
Also related by her granddaughter (Hilda) that Laura took care of Maudie after
the illness she had as a child that left Maudie as an infant mentally. The
doctor that treated Maudie informed her parents that Maudie would die, to which
Laura said that she was not going to lose another baby this way. She stayed
with Maudie doing all that she could to bring down the fever and praying to GOD
to spare her pretty little baby. All her efforts paid off, but Maudie would be
a baby for the rest of her life. When Maudie would cry (like an infant for
attention or any of the needs of an infant, but with the voice and volume of an
adult) that Laura would cradle her in her lap and calm her down and tend her
needs until her (Maudie's) death in 1912. (17)
================================================================================
General Notes for Child Ida FRENCH
================================================================================
BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985 pg 89 : Ida married Frank Pursell; they had four
children. Could this be the same Frank Pursell that married her sister Lyney?
================================================================================
Death Notes for Child: Alexander Quigley FRENCH
================================================================================
>From the Kalamazoo Gazette, page 2, July 21, 1935
ALEX FRENCH OF GULL ROAD DIES
Alex French, 74, died at his home in Gull Road at 3:35 Saturday afternoon.
He is survived by the widow, Libbie; three sons, Archie of Battle Creek, Bert
of Richland, and Elzie of Kalamazoo; a daughter, Mrs. Glenna Bivens of
Nashville, Mich.; a brother, Wesley French, Bellevue; and five sisters, Mrs.
Frank Pursell, Level Park, Mrs. Laura Edmonds, Dowling, Mrs. Silas Gaskill,
Lacey, Mrs. Abbie Benedict, Cedar Creek, and Mrs. Ida Goddard, Amesbury, Mass.
================================================================================
Burial Notes for Child: Alexander Quigley FRENCH
================================================================================
Year of burial 1935 Lot 82 Grave 2
================================================================================
General Notes for Child Alexander Quigley FRENCH
================================================================================
BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985 page 89 ALEXANDER L. AND LIBBIE HOOK FRENCH
================================================================================
General Notes for Child Wesley Newell FRENCH
================================================================================
BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985 page 89 & 90 WESLEY AND NELLIE FRENCH
================================================================================
Source Citations
================================================================================
1. HISTORY OF ALLEGAN AND BARRY COUNTIES, MICHIGAN, HISTORY OF ALLEGAN AND
BARRY COUNTIES, MICHIGAN, Page 89.
2. Electronic World Wide Web known as www.com, Electronic World Wide Web known
as www.com, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jlsmith/.
3. BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, Written and Compiled by the People of Barry
County, Michigan, BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, (Taylor Publishing Company,
Dallas, Texas), Page 89.
4. Sexton Records, Cemetery Sexton, Sexton Records, Sue Roush, Dowling
Cemetery.
5. BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, Written and Compiled by the People of Barry
County, Michigan, BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, (Taylor Publishing Company,
Dallas, Texas).
6. 1860 Census, New Hampshire, Roll: M653_679; Page: 22 & 23.
7. 1880 Census, Barry County, Michigan, Roll: M593_661; Page 10.
8. 1880 Census, Michigan, Roll: T9_570; Sheet 15; Page 186A.
9. 1850 Census, New Hampshire, Roll: M432_438; Page: 28; Sheet 55.
10. 1880 Census, New Hampshire, Roll: T9_768, Sheet 171B, Page 14.
11. 1920 Census Michigan, Roll: T624_640; Sheet: 6A; District: 34.
12. 1920 Census Michigan, Roll: T625_759; Sheet: 3A; District: 41.
13. The Edmonds Genealogy, Max Hosmer, The Edmonds Genealogy, (DATE Originally
compiled in 1988 ; Updated 5 Feb 2000), page 9.
14. Anita Belle (Hyatt) Davis, Anita Belle (Hyatt) Davis, (Not Published).
15. Individual Interviewed, Hilda Arabelle (Edmonds) Jackson.
16. Obituaries from the Hastings Banner, Compiled by Floyd K. Bull, Obituaries
from the Hastings Banner, (Listed at the Hastings Library as The Bull
Scrapbooks, compiled by Floyd K. Bull).
17. Barry County Death Records, Barry County Death Records, Book 1940 Deaths
Barry County State File Number 2073 Local File No. 1.
18. The Edmonds Genealogy, Max Hosmer, The Edmonds Genealogy, (DATE Originally
compiled in 1988 ; Updated 5 Feb 2000), pages 5 and 9 person number 37.
19. Individual Interviewed, Horace Nathaniel Edmonds.
20. Marriage License, Barry County, Michigan, County Clerk, Marriage License.
21. Electronic World Wide Web known as www.com, Electronic World Wide Web known
as www.com,
http://www.familysearch.org/ENG/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search
_census.asp.
22. 1880 Census, Barry County, Michigan, Roll: T9_570; Sheet 15; Page 186A.
23. Barry County Marriage Records, Records Clerk, Barry County Marriage
Records, Liber/Page D-97.
24. Kalamazoo Gazette, Kalamazoo Gazette, (Daily newpaper), page 2, 21 Jul
1935.
25. Jasper Smith Reid Genealogy, Charles O. Harthy, Some Descendants of Jasper
Smith Reid 1808 - 1887, (Grand Haven, Michigan 1978), Generation 3, page 5,
spouse of person #8.
26. Jasper Smith Reid Genealogy, Charles O. Harthy, Some Descendants of Jasper
Smith Reid 1808 - 1887, (Grand Haven, Michigan 1978), Generation 3, page 5,
person #8.
27. BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, Written and Compiled by the People of Barry
County, Michigan, BARRY COUNTY MICHIGAN 1985, (Taylor Publishing Company,
Dallas, Texas), pages 89 and 283.
28. 1930 Census Michigan, Roll: T626_983; Sheet: 3B; District: 23-2.
29. Reseacher, Gordon Mitchell.
30. Marriage License, Barry County, Michigan, County Clerk, Marriage License,
Book_Page: D-13.
31. Barry County Birth Records, Records Clerk, Record of Births, Barry County,
State of Michigan, Liber A Page 102.
32. 1930 Census Michigan, Roll: T626_979; Sheet: 2B; District: 13-36.
33. Marriage License, Barry County, Michigan, County Clerk, Marriage License,
Book/Page: D-449, Entry 1207152.