Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-10-13
LEWIS s. FRENCH.

Lewis 8. French was born in Barnard
July 4, 1916, and died In the same town
Oct. z, 1888. he was the youngest son Of
Roger and Acbsah French, who came
from Berkeley, Mass, in 1871, buying and
settling on the farm which was the late
residence OF Henry N. Richmond and now
owned by Mrs. Emma Cobb. Here all the
children OF large family were born and
nearly all lived to great age.
Inc father and mother died at So and So,
Martha at 81, Harrison at 90, Cyrus at s.,
Enoch at SO, William at 81, Emeline at 81,
Ceiim at Is, Thomas at II and Lewis at 81.
No other family that ever lived in Barn
for longevity.
Lewis 8. French, at the age of about rs,
shipped aboard 4 whaling vessel for q
three years. cruise in the Pacific ocean.
In those days It was q long journey
around Cape Horn In q sailing craft and
many months were consumed in getting
where whales were caught, and 1t took
years TO get cargo. The ship that young
french was aboard at one time ran short
Of water and they caught in open boats
that had been newly painted inside, a
quantity that poisoned the whole crew.
10 some this lead poison was fatal, and all
more or less felt the effects. Lewis carried
It IN his system through long life, never
FULLY recovering. He was totally unfit for
Of the South Sea Islands and afterwards
was sent to hospital on the coast OF Chilli
and for months his life seemed to hang
oy single thread. Gaining a little he
was put on board OF homeward bound
SHIP, but growing worse was left again to
ole 10 this foreign land. But 1t was not
90 ordered. Again he struggled to his
took the task of bringing the sick man to
the United States. This time success
crowned the effort. How well we remem-
per The day he landed in Barnard. With
frantic joy that old mother Rugged this
skeleton OF man, in such contrast to the
previous. Vermont air and water soon
got Ia its work and partial strength came
back to his wasted form. In few years
he opened q grocery store and afterwards
added dry goods, which be held until
three years ago.
In 1850 he married Charlotte r. Swift,
youngest daughter of DR.. Thomas Swift
OF Barnard. From this union there were
two sons, RolIin, who died young, and
Edward T., who died In 1894. Mrs. Char
lotte French died in 1895. Lewis French
was appointed postmaster for Barnard in
1907, under James Buchanan's adminis-
fration, and although Democrat Of
type, yet he was SO popular,
mat under 30 years OF Republican rule be
y 80 Hce CAnotcu. In lbfU ne WAS chosen
own clerk and reelected every year with
'ut opposition until 1898, when, feeling
sensitive about old age creeping on, be re-
'igned and retired from business. Among
III the town officials of Barnard. no such
'ecoru sppe ars ss this OF Lewis 8. French.
since the death of his wife two years
sgo, Mr.. French has taken but little in
crest in the active scenes Of life. but has
patiently waited for the final summons
y nicn came Oct. 2, at the home of Chas.
JAWS, where he was temporarily board
ng. Every attention necessary was given
nm oy Miss Hattie Davis, but an acct
' s Iall from wagon probably has
MS funeral was at the Universalist
inurch, Rev. 8. A. Parker officiating, as
isteo BY Rev. Guy Lawton of the nj. e.
nufcn: Mr.. Parker's interesting sermon
vas listened to with the closest attention
Y Ine many old neighbors and friends.
ne casket, beautifully decorated with
roiusion OF flowers donated by loving
amos, made the deepest impression. The
uIiai LOOK place at the Hillside cemetery
the family lot, where be was the last to
9, under the trees whose falling leaves
ere typical Of the final end which
sure to come.