Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-26
JUDGE FRENCH DEAD
THIS WELL-KNOWN CITIZEN OF
MANCHESTER PASSES AWAY.
SKETCH OF HIS LONG LIFE
\ Close Personal and Political
Friend of General Mnhonc's, "a CAL
liant soldier, Secretary 10 Governor
Letcher, and Judge Of Manchester.

Judge S. Bassett French, a man OF ye
o!den time, and in earlier life an active
figure in Virginia politics, died last night
at HE o'clock at his home, No llOi Por-
ter street, Manchester
The entire family and a few near rela-
tives were beside the bed upon which the
dying man lay. They had watched from
early evening then at nlghtfaI, when ne
became unconscious, and watched stll
till he quietly and peacefully breathed
his last. lie is survived by his wife and
eight children. The children are as fol-
lows: Me3srs John French, 5. Bassett
Jr. Robert Lee, and Cary B.. and Mes
DANES Salle Gary, wife Of Mr.. George T..
Gary; Annie Robertson. wife of Mr.. Sam
uel Robertson; Helen Bate, wife Of Mr.
French. He was i'll but two weeks pre-
ceding his death. Two years ago he suf-
fered stroke Of paralysis while visiting
Amelia county, but under the medical
treatment Of DR. Lawrence Ingram, the
family physician, he entirely recovered.
His side was affected then. Two weeks
ago he was again paralyzed this time the
stroke involving the heart. lie gradually
sank until the end came.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Judge French was born in Norfolk
county seventy-eight years ago. lie came
Of an old and honOred parentage. Du-
ring his early years he was sent % the
private schools, then 50 common IN the
Underwater section of the State Later he
went 10 college. lie was a man Of deep
and extensive learning, a scholar of fine
and rare attachments. More than two
score years ago he married Miss Helen
Lyle q lovely young woman. OF Nhitby
on the James Admitted TO the bar upon
his return from college. he began q ca
reer, not lacking i'm tints Of brilliancy
which lasted down past that period when
most men retire from the arena of civil
and political conflict. After marriage he
settled in Chesterfield, and began a prac-
tice at the Chesterfield Bar, which ex-
tended over many years. He was for
many years COmmonwealth's Attorney of
Chesterfield, enjoying the esteem and
confidence of the entire people
\ BRILLIANT WAR RECORD.
When the war broke out, Judge French
forsook all and Joined his fortunes with
those of the young Confederacy. His
was a brilliant record. He was a colo
mel on General William Mahone's staff
General Malone and Judge French stood
side by side in the thickest of the fight.
and i'm the time of peace bands Of closest
friendship bound them In 1879. when the
Readjuster party came into power, Ma
hone became its recognized leader, and
again in the political campaign Colonel
French became one OF his lieutenants
NKrI,n,, tho ,II Richmond hfcr WAS nm
der the control Of General Malone Judge
French contributed 20 its editorial
columns lie was about this time also
private secretary TO General Malone.
WROTE LETCHER'S PROCLAMATION.
But he is more widely known q having
been for part Of the time private sec
rotary to Governor Letcher 'the war
Governor" He drafted the proclama-
ton of Governor LetCher calling out the
Virginia troops for the civil war. and II
is "A singular coincidence that he should
have died the night that the next pro
clamation OF a like character was issued
by the Virginia Executive.
His work on the Wing added greatly
10 his reputation as a graceful and fOrci-
bic writer. Colonel French at one time
was a committee clerk in the House OF
Delegates. BY the Legislature Of lsSl-&
Court OF Manchester. succeeding Judge
Clopton This position he held for one
term. and was succeeded by the incum-
bent. Judge John II. Ingram. Judge
French was Il member Of Meade-Memo-
rial church, and until feeble health over
took him was a member of the church
Vestry.
During the quiet years Of his life since
he retired from public life he wrote a
law book on the Law OF Procedure"
and TO the time OF his death was en-
gagged in compiling a book Of sketches
of prominent Virginia men. He was a
warm friend OF General Lees, Of whom he
often spokSwith pleasure and pride The
great southern chieftain was godfather
IN one of his boys. who was named for
him. Robert Lee.
Deceased was a man of short stature,
but of great size. weighing in good health
more than three hundred.
The funeral arrangements have not yet
been made.