Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-31
ObIIunrY.

Died yesterday, 29th December, at
O'Clock Y. NJ, at the residence of Col John
II. CroZier, William b. French.
willie French" was the son of the late
w. b. French and Isabella Lawson White,
youngest daughter of the late Hon. Hugh
Lawson White. Had he lived two days
longer he would have been % wears old
He was born on the 3lst day of December,
lS4S. From his childhood to the day of his
death he was a favorite with all his friends
and acquaintance. His filial devotion to
his widowed mother as long as she lived
was remarkable and elected the admira-
ton of all his friends. His strict adher-
ence to principle and duty was a marked
trait of his character, Although of del
icate constitution, he was possessed of
wonderful energy and indomitable perse-
verance. At n time when the majority of
boys would have preferred the leisure of
idleness, he sought the position of an err
rand boy in business house at q small
salary, because there was no other business
open to him. By attention to business
and the interests of his employers, he rap
idly rose in their estimation, anu early ex-
hibited such capacity that he was soon
promoted to the high position of confden-
tial clerk and cashier of the largest mer-
camille establishment in this city.
On the 9Th day Of May, 1872, he was
married to Miss Lizzie Crozier, daughter
of Col. John II. Crozier, of this city.
When the East Tennessee National Bank
was organized last year, the Board of Di-
rectors elected him cashier of the instu-
ton.
No young man in this community ever
commanded more universal confidence
and esteem among business men than he,
and his integrity of character was estab-
lished beyond question. While yet q
youth he made q profession
nr al r,tn hnr .Nf
the Presbyterian Church. His piety was
illustrated by his humble and devoted walk
his punctual attention to duty, his constant
attendance upon the sanctuary, his low es-
innate of himself and his strong faith in
the mediation and sacrifice of Christ
When he had the physical strength to
attend the service of God in the congre-
cation, his seat was never vacant. He rel
ished doctrines of grace and loved the or
dinances of the Church. His religion did
not consist of high emotions and excited
| feelings, but love of divine truth, how
| ever bumbling TO human pride, conscen-
tious adherence to principle, and faith
! full performance OF duty because it
| was duty, regardless of convenience, or
personal ease, or popular opinion. In
! nothing did his character become any more
recognized than in his devotion to his re-
| ligious convictions. During the long and
weary months of his declining health he
was cheerful in his feelings, patient in his
suffering, submissive to the will of God,
and contemplated his approaching dissolu-
| ton without dismay or fear. He talked of
| it camly and expressed the bright hope that
springs from a vigorous faith. He COM
mitted his wife and little babe to the
kind care and protection of our cove
nant-keeping God, and yesterday, because
he had been unable to take it to the sane
tuary, dedicated it to God in the holy sac.
rament of baptism. This was one of his
last acts, and few, if any, more touching
spectaces have ever been witnessed by the
friends who were gathered in that room
than that of the dying father kissing, al
the close of the religious ceremony, with
tender and paternal fondness the little one
he was so soon to leave. He died quietly
and peacefully without a struggle or 4
groan, strong in the faith of Christ and
with a good hope of eternal life.
He was a worthy scion ofa noble stock
and the memory of his virtues and manly
worth, and Christian principle, will be
cherished and loved by his friends.
"How blest the righteous when he dies ~
May the God,of the widow and the Father
ofthe fatherless sustain and bless the young
wife and tender little babe. L.