The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-30

and hOnOrs. To-day We record the death
Of another who had risen to equal emf
hence in the great Brotherhood of Ma
sons, but who had been cut down In the
prime Of life. After a protracted i'll
ness, Col. WILLIAM FRENCH died,last
Monday night, at Q o'clock, at the resi-
denee Of Capt. Jno W. Clingan in this
city, and was buried yesterday afternoon
with well-deserYed honors His brethren
and friends of yicksburg, where he had
resided for the past fifteen years. came
out on special train
William French was born in Donegal
county, Ireland, and was about forty
seven years of age. He was the fourth
Of seven brothers. The family came To-
this country in 1854, residing first at
Pittsburg, Pa. In 1856 they came to
Jackson. William was then in his
eighteenth year. He was apprenticed
to Mr.. C. Fl. Manship, and in the course
of few years became remarkably ex-
pert as a painter. As one of the young
men of the city, we remember his zeal
and activity in many public enterprises.
He was conspicuous as a fireman, and
was always ready" when the business of
that organization demanded his services |
His military career was particularly |
honorable aud distinguished. On the |
organization of the Mississippi Rifles.
commanded by Capt Robert A. Smith, |
he became a private in the ranks, and /
left Jackson with that gallant command
on tie morning of March q, 1861. On
arriving at Pensacola, he was appointed
regimental bugler and afterwards Ser
geant- Major, and in a few months be
came adjutant. He was in the battles
OF Shiloh, Mumfordyille, Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge. Resaca,
New Hope Church, Atlanta. Jonesboro,
Franklin and Nashville, and in all the
marches and skirmishes in which the
Tenth participated He was wounded
in the face at Marietta on the 10th June.
1864, and seriously in the left thigh at
franklin, on the Both November, 1864
He answered to his name at the last
roll-call in April, 1865, and returned to
his old home to resume his chosen pur-
suit.
On November LIST, 1866, he was united ,
in marriage to Miss Emma Walmsley, ,
who, with four children, mourn the loss
Of most devoted and indulgent hus-
band and father. Soon after his mar
riage, he removed to Vicksbnrg, the
growth and prosperity of which city at
once enlisted the energies of his ardent
nature. He became leader in the t
several Masonic bodies, was Chief Engin-
Ger of the Fire Department, was one of J
the city's magistrates, and was, at times, '
fayorably spoken of in connection with
the Office of mayor Although his edu :
cation was quite limited, he mastered b
the stpdy of law sufficiently to be ad
mitted to its practice, and attained q
/ ~
He was an orator by nature, and the O
fervor and sincerity with which he as t
serted his propositions, and with which
he contended for what he deemed the =
right, seldom failed to carry the ap- t
proval and applause of his hearers. In
1874 he was commissioned as Colonel of ?
5he Warren County Militia, and hence
he title by which he has since been 3
known. b
1t was as Mason that William !
French became best known in later years. a
He was made Mason in Pearl Lodge, {
No. %, in the year 1889. On the re-
organization OF the Lodge after the war, :
n 1867, he became its Worshipful Mas r
.er, and continued an active member I
until his removal to Vicksburg. In the
Grand Lodge, his zeal and efficiency was
10 generally admitted and recognized, t
that he was annually appointed on its y
most important Committees, until, in
February, 1890, he was elected to the {
highest station in the gift of the Craft '
that of Grand Master. At the session il
Of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in
February last, he was elected Grand :
High Priest. but the apprehension was
then very general that he would not be
spared to preside over its next Annual
Convocation. In 1881, he was Grand ;
Commander Knights Templar. But his !
labors of love and duty are ended, and :
eLike the dew on the mountain,
Like the foam on the river,
Like the bubble on the fountain.
He is gone, and forever
One of the last requests that he made, |
while in state of consciousness, wss
that he should be buried near his old
commander, Col. Robert A. Smith, and /
this request was sacredly complied with
Yesterday afternoon. A few yards to ],
the northeast of the scoth granite shaft
rests William Frencil-the brave soldier. Z
he gallant fireman, the bright Mason, !
the generous and unselfish citizen. Re
quiescdt in paee! Is