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 

Joseph W. French
June 4, 1833-March 21, 1907

Joseph W. French Crosses the Bar

President of French paper is no more.

A prominent manufacturer For over half a century

Came to Michigan in the year 1854.

Joseph W. French passed peacefully away shortly before noon today at the palatial home on Main Street, aged 74 years. The deceased was born in Stephenson, Conn. June 4, 1833, and was educated in the public schools. In 1854, he came to Three Rivers to take charge of a spoke factory for Eastern capitalists, who had built a dam in the St. Joseph River there. In 1856, he bought a paper mill at Three Rivers, and continued in the business until two and half years ago, when he sold out his interests to the Three Rivers Paper Company. Two years ago Mr. French removed to Niles, where he had acquired extensive interests.

 Was at head of French Paper co.

In 1867 a company called the Niles Manufacturing company was organized and commenced building a the present dam in St. Joseph River at that place. The dam was finished in 1871. In 1872 the company sold their interest in the water power on the west side of the river to J.W. French and the late J. B. Millard.

In 1872 the Niles Paper mills purchased considerable portions of the interest of the manufacturing company in the water power on the east side. The interest of the Niles Manufacturing company was purchased in 1877 by the Niles Water Power company, which assumed the debts of the former concern.  Messrs French and Millard in 1872 organized the Michigan Wood Pulp company on the west side of the river, which has been in operation ever since. Mr. Millard sold out his interest many years since to Mr. French and sons. Later the company was incorporated under the name of the French Paper company, the largest factory in the city. It employees two hundred men and twenty-five women, has a business amounting to about seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year and a pay roll of one hundred and ten thousand dollars per year. The company manufactures ground wood pulp, pulp box boards, pulp pie plates and book and lithograph paper. The officers were J. W. French, president, W.J. Willits, vice-president; F. J. French and J.E. French, secretary.

 Married over Fifty Years.

The late Mr. French was married to Miss Emily J. Wright at her home in Deep River, Conn., in 1856, and had since lived happily together. Three children blessed this union, who together with their mother, stood beside the bed of a loving husband and indulgent parent, and watched life’s ebbing tide drifting the love one slowly but surely into the great ocean of eternity.  The children are Willard W. French of Three Rivers, and F. J. and J. E. French of this city. The deceased was a Master Mason. He was a life long member of the Baptist church, holding the office of treasurer of the church at Three Rivers for about half a century.  He was a charitable and generous man, and his demise will be deeply deplored at his old home, as well as in Niles.  To the heart broken mother and sons who sit in sorrow where his footsteps shall never again find echo, the people extent sincerest sympathy.

The funeral will take place from the home at 2:30 o’clock Thursday after noon, the Rev. J.F. Boyden of Kalamazoo conducting the last sad rites. Interment at Silverbrook.

Joseph Edward French
June 24, 1866-January 9, 1931

J. Edward French, Head of Paper co. is taken by Death

One of Niles Leading Citizen Dies this morning at Battle Creek.

Was son of Pioneer.

Had large part in development of business started here in 1872.

Joseph Edward French 66, former mayor of Niles, and president of the French Paper company of Niles, died at 5 o’clock this morning in the Battle Creek sanitarium, where he had been a patient nearly three weeks. His death removes one of the most widely known and prominent figures from the Niles business and industrial field. The company of which he was head has operated since 1872 when it was founded as a wood pulp manufacturing concern, and later converted into a paper manufacturing company.

The body was brought here this morning from Battle Creek and funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the home at 503 E. Main Street. The services will be conducted by the Rev. B.J. Bowman, of South Bend.The deceased was born in Three Rivers on June 24, 1866, the third and youngest son of the late Joseph W. French who came to Three Rivers from Connecticut in 1854 and launched the family which has been prominently identified with southwestern Michigan history. 

Joseph Edward French was married at Three River in 1884 to Miss Jenny Grout of that City. They moved to Niles in 1889 and have resided her ever since.  During all their residence here they have been socially prominent.  As a young man Mr. French attended the Orchard Lake Military. Academy, one of the most exclusive academic institutions of earlier days.  He was obliged to give up his academia pursuits in his early years owing to trouble with his eyes.  After that he went for a time to Marinette, Wis., to accept a position on the staff of a paper mill in which his father was financially interested. 

Edward French was mayor of Niles in 1894 and in the late nineties he was a member of the city school board. He took an active part in the community’s civic life. He was a member of the Niles lodge of Elks and also was an active mason being a member of the St. Joseph Valley blue lodge No. 4 F. & A.M. and the Chapter Commendery and Shrine.

He had been in poor health for the last six and a half years. Two weeks ago last Saturday he was stricken with another attack of indigestion and stomach trouble, his chief complaint and was taken to the Battle Creek institution for treatment where he had been a patient on several occasion. Even last Saturday it was thought by attendants that he was thought by attendants that he was recovering and that the trouble was well in hand, where he suffered a heart attack, and this was the immediate cause of his death. Between last Saturday and this morning six blood transfusions were made in an effort to save his life.

Surviving besides the widow are a son, Frank G. French of Niles, secretary of the French Paper company; two brothers, Willard W. French of Los Angeles and Frank J. French of Niles, vice president of the French Paper company; two grandchildren, Joseph Edward French II, and Marilyn, son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. French and the following nephews and nieces, Willard S. French of Detroit, Joseph W. French of Chicago, Edward B. French of Ann Arbor, Mrs. W.J. Gardner of Niles, and Mrs. E. R. Brecher of Houston, Texas.  

Jenny G. French
July 14, 1867-April 18, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 19, 1958, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Jenny G. French, 90, of 620 East Main Street, died Friday night soon after she was taken to Pawating Hospital. She had resided with her son and daughter-in-law, Mrs. and Mrs. Frank G. French.

Mrs. French was born July 14, 1867 near Paw Paw and moved to Three Rivers where she was graduated from high school in 1885 and taught school for two years. She married Joseph Edward French Aug. 3, 1887.  They moved to Niles in 1890 and he died in January, 1931.

Survivors beside her son are three grandchildren, J. Edward French of Niles. Mrs. Fred Bailey of Kalamazoo and Mrs. William Eavey of Richmond, Ind.; eight great-grandchildren and two nephews, J. W. French of Chicago and W.S. French of Detroit.

She was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist of Niles for many years and at one time was an active member of the Ladies Reading club of which she later was an associate member.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Habritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday by Mrs. Phyllis Castle, Christian Scientist Reader. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Henry F. French
Jan. 16, 1897-July 30, 1966

Henry F. French, 69, 1836 Niles-Buchanan road, died Saturday at 8:15 p.m. July 30, 1966, in Pawating Hospital, after an illness of three years.  He is survived by his widow, Rose (Brown); and daughter, Mrs. Virginia C. Sloane, Tappan, NY. Two grandchildren also survive.

Mr. French was born south of Buchanan on Jan. 16, 1897, to Charles Hervey and Lucy Anna (Feather) French, and had lived in this area all his life.  He was married to Rose Brown Aug. 2, 1922.  Mr. French retired 10 years ago as a sales agent for Hobart Manufacturing co.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Buchanan. He was also a veteran of World War I.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Pifer Funeral Home. the Rev. W. Thomas Barnes of the first Presbyterian church, Buchanan, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Emily J. French
Feb. 14, 1838-Jan. 30, 1910

Mrs. John W. French removed

Death’s sting has taken on held in Highest of Esteem.

The death of Mrs. J.W. French occurred last evening at 7:25 o’clock Jan. 30, 1910, at the home of her son, Frank J. French, Fifth and Main Streets, from paralysis.  Her age was 71 years, 11 months and 15 days. Mrs. French was born at Deep River, Conn., and was married Oct. 13, 1856.  Her maiden name was Emily J. Wright.

Mr. French first started the paper business at Three Rivers. Previous to that he taught school in Connecticut.  From 1856 to 1905 Mr. French resided at Three Rivers and continued in business. Coming to Niles in 1905 he caused to be constructed a palatial residence at Fifth and Main streets, thereby adding materially to the beauty of our city.  Mr. French passed away in March 1907.  Since then, Mrs. French declined in heath. The end came peacefully. The city of Niles and its hospitable people held a warm corner in her heart. It was her the happiest days of her life were spent and when her last hours came and the god of eternity called her to her everlasting rest. It was her desire that beneath the shade trees of our Silent city, surrounded by the beauty, happiness and contentment of our people, where the flowers are sweetest and the birds warble their most melodious songs, should be the eternal abiding place of all that was mortal of her. She was ever a staunch Baptist. Mrs. French had always taken part in musicals, and in that line her ability was far above the average.  She was fond of painting and needle work, her deft fingers producing many choice specimens in either line.  Of the sweetest disposition, every one was her friends. While she has gone from the sense, the conflicts, the sorrows and pleasures of life, she will still live in the hearts of those who knew her best. The children are Willard W., Frank J. and Joseph Edward French, all residing in Niles. Besides, there are seven grandchildren, all living here except, J.W. Millard, who resides in Chicago. The funeral will take place from the house Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Interment in the family lot at Silverbrook Cemetery.