Minnie French
July 1, 1864-November 21, 1924
Funeral services for Mrs. French held at church.
Funeral services were held at Trinity Episcopal Church this afternoon for Mrs. Frank J. French. Rev. James E. Wikinson, rector of the church, conducted the services. Louis Ebel, of South Bend, presided at the organ. The following acted as pall bearers. S.B. White, A.G. Stone, F.B. Eycleshymer, H. O. Parker, Lawrence Kretchman and T.C. Hance. The body was laid to rest in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery amid a wealth of beautiful flowers.
Minnie Crawford French was born near Boston, Mass, July 1st 1864, and died at the sanitarium in Battle Creek, Mich, on November 21, 1924. Mrs. French came from a family talented both in music and fanatics. Her mother, Mrs. J.W. Crawford, was among the first of eastern musician to give interpretative recitals in Boston and the New England States.
Educated in Boston.
Mrs. French also secured her musical training in that city, studying the violin under the director of Prof. C. N. Allen. As a young musician she was associated with the celebrated violinist Maude Powell, assisted her in teaching the violin, and filled engagements for her as an understudy. September 10, 1890, she was married to Mr. Frank J. French in Boston and went as a bride to live in Three Rivers, Michigan. In the following year, 1891 she came with her husband to Niles. From that date to the time of her death she made this city her home. For more than twenty-seven years she was an active and interested member of the Ladies Historical society. Until the last year she was a regular attendee at the meetings of this organization, spent time and study in preparation of papers and arranged several musical programs, which were outstanding events in the history of this society. Mrs. French was a violinist of marked ability. Those who had the privilege of hearing her play recall that her execution was masterly and brilliant. Music was a permanent joy in her life and she generously shared this pleasure with other. During her residence in Niles on various occasions she entertained club members, friends and acquaintances at delightful recitals-recitals in which such artists as Louis Elbel, Mr. J.W. Crawford, and other appeared. In this way she made it possible for many Niles people to hear and enjoyed classical programs of rare beauty and excellence. In regard to her own attainments Mrs. French was strikingly modest. She never mentioned her success as a musician. She under estimated her knowledge of music which in reality was unusually thorough and broad. A Woman of strong personality she was entirely free from anything that savored of display or that was artificial in manner. S he was always , beautiful, individual interesting. For those whom she loved and esteemed she displayed a constant thoughtfulness. Regardless of Illness or pressure of affairs she never, allowed a timely occasion to pass without sending greetings and remembrances to friends.
Members of the immediate family who survive Mrs. French are her husband, Frank J. French of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Alene French Gardner of Georgetown, Texas and Mrs. Natalie French Brecher of this city; two grandchildren, children of Mrs. Garner and her mother, Mrs. J.W. Crawford, who at the advanced age of eighty-thee, lives in Westboro Massachusetts.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
