Seward F. French

Descendants of New England stock enter largely into the thrifty prosperous population of St Clair county. Michigan. Especially does this apply to those who are engaged in the mercantile business. It comes as natural to the New England Yankee and his descendants to engage in traffic as it does to the sons of Judah to sell male wearing apparel. One of the prosperous merchants of Riley Center St Clair county is SEWARD F. FRENCH, whose father was EBENEZER FRENCH, a native of Keene, New Hampshire. The French family was among the early settlers of that state. Ebenezer French was born September 9 1812 and his youth was spent among the New Hampshire hills. When grown to manhood, he married Miss SUSAN CLEVELAND, a member of the same family whence sprang a late president of the United States. Up to this time, Mr. French had been engaged in the milling business with flattering success. His father and other members of the family having decided to move to the state of New York.

Ebenezer decided to accompany them and finding land in the Empire state far more fertile than that of their New Hampshire home all engaged in farming an occupation which was continued with very gratifying success up to the time of the death of the elder Mr French. His wife having died some time previous, Ebenezer decided to move to Michigan. Before doing so however, he was married to Eliza Richards of Weathersfield, New York, daughter of Erastus and Amanda Howe Richards. They immediately started for Michigan arriving in Richmond township, Macomb county, September 1, 1840. For the first 3 years, Mr French occupied his time in clearing land and then bought an 80 acre tract at Romeo which he improved and lived upon for 10 years. Having sold out at what was then considered a good price, he purchased 160 acres at Lenox and 10 years more of time and toil were expended on this tract which greatly enhanced its value. This was also sold, and for 7 or 8 years the family engaged in farming at Belle River. By this time, Mr French who seems to have been possessed of much Yankee shrewdness decided to quit farming and engage in the mercantile business Interesting his sons with him he opened a general store at Richmond Michigan and operated it with flattering success for five years. Deciding that an increase of patronage might be secured by a removal, he moved his entire stock and fixtures to Riley Center where the family have continued in business ever since. Mr and Mrs French were the parents of 6 children viz Susan Amanda born April 21 1842 married Reuben Burgess a farmer of New York and they now reside in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and have a family of 3 children one daughter is accomplished in music and another is a teacher in the public schools; (2) Quincy born April 11, 1844 served as a soldier in the Civil war and died in Kansas a number of years ago; R Elbert born March 12, 1849, is interested in farming and the mercantile business in Riley Center; he married Amanda Felker and they are the parents of two bright and interesting children, Mary Dell born June 12 1852 married V Dysinger who is a prosperous farmer of Riley Center; Seward F; Lizzie M born July 21 1860 is married and lives in St Louis. Seward F French was born at Lenox, Michigan August 23 1858. As a youth he was quick, active, bright, and intellectual attended the district school and early showed an aptitude for learning. He was ambitious and persevering, 2 very necessary qualities to equip the successful man. While his father remained on the farm, he aided in its work and when the mercantile business was established he was one of its very necessary adjuncts. To that branch of business most of his time has been devoted ever since.

On September 26 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha E Lewis, a lady of good education and many accomplishments. To them have been born 3 children viz Neva B, a graduate of the St Louis, Michigan high school; Elmer; and Melvin Orville. Mr French has been a farmer dealer in real estate and a merchant besides being interested in various enterprises both for his own and the public good He has spent twenty years of his life behind the counter of a mercantile house and has been the architect of his own fortune whatever he is or is to be is due to the exertions made by himself In politics he is a Republican but liberal in views believing that in local affairs fitness and not politics should govern in the selection of men for office. Personally, he has no ambition to fill public position though he has been the village postmaster for the past 3 years. He is popular because he is generous and unselfish no reasonable favor being solicited at his hands that is not granted He believes in religion but has no choice as to denomination any religion that does not consist chiefly of doing good being looked upon by him as spurious. He is a most worthy and exemplary man one of whom any community may well be proud. source: Biographical Memoirs of St. Clair County, Michigan: To which is Appended a ... pg. 480. Note: confirmation has not been obtained on the burial location.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via father Ebenezer French by SmartCopy: Oct 6 2015, 23:20:33 UTC