Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-03-25
OLIVER DREW FRENCH

1905.
He was a Barnard born and bred
boy, where he had lived until arriv-
ing at manhood's age, when he
launched his ship into the worlds
wide sea, ending very successful
career at Virginia City, aged so
years Of useful life. Being an init
mate school playmate OF the writer,
although thousands of miles after
wards separated us, divers mem
DRY never faded but seemed more
dear as time went on.
He carried his youthful popular
ity through this long life until the
end. Always cheerful, lovable and
bright, he gained as age came on.
The Madisonian editorial well says:
GAS citizen, husband and father
he was far above reproach. Being
so closely identified with the settle
ment, growth and prosperity of
Virginia City, business houses were
generally closed during the elaborate
funeral service"
Oliver French, while yet in his
teens, conceived a taste for sea-
faring lite and went two three
year voyages whaling in the North
Pacific, making some money, but
he abandoned this hazardous life
and sought investment of his saw
ings in less risky pursuit on land.
Engaging in flour and feed bust
ness, he had a store in New York
and afterwards in Milwaukee for
some years, successfully following
this until the great excitement of
Pixies Peak allured him to Colorado
in 1850. He remained in Denver
and other camps four years. In
1863 the fame of Montana gold
mines reached him. Mr.. French
purchased OK teams and wagons
filled with goods, crossing the plains
to Virginia City, where he disposed
of his goods at great profit, then
resuming his old business of flour,
feed, etc., buying his stock in Salt
Lake and selling to miners in what
was then called Alder Gulch. AL
though he met with many losses, at
one time losing his whole outfit
among the SHOWS of Snake river, yet
his indomitable Vermont pluck car
ried him through, which resulted
in the starting of large mercantile
business engaged for years in Vir-
ginia City.
Oliver D. French was an ardent
Democrat and held the office of post
master at Virginia City under the
Cleveland administration, which
he filled very satisfactorily.
Mr.. French was twice married
and leaves three sons, all in fine
business prospects; also sorrowing
widow to mourn the loss Of this
good man and enterprising citizen.
Roger French and Achsa Tobey
French, husband and wife, came to
Barnard from Berkeley, Mass, in
1891, and settled in the southern
part on a farm now owned by Mrs.
Emma L. Cobb. Here they raised
seven sons and two daughters. All
grew up, married and had families,
whose descendants now hail from
many different states. Roger French
died in 1850, his wife in 1858. Both
were buried in South Barnard ceme-
terry.
Harrison, the oldest son of Roger,
married Eliza A. Drew Of Wood
stock, and from this union were two
sons and four daughters. Henry H.,
born Feb. 20, 1892; never married,
followed the sea a great many years,
both whaling and in maritime sell
vice. Was mate many times. Could
have been master, but declined the
responsibility. He visited almost
every part of the globe; had keen
observation and lasting memory;
was a great conversationalist, and as
Boston traveller expressed it, he was
the most interesting man he ever
conversed with. Old age came on
and Henry finished out his more
than SO years with his sister, Mrs.
L. c. Kendall, at South Woodstock,
VT. Second son, Oliver Drew, the
subject OF our sketch; Elizabeth w.
Storrs, now living, a widow in
Omaha, Neb. Abby D. Willard,
now living, a widow in Boston;
Mary Ann, wife of Larned e. Ken
dali, Esq, South Woodstock, VT;
Achsa M, who died in early life.
Harrison French settled in Bar
nard village, built the house that is
now the residence OF Henry A.
Wood and later bought what was
known as the Moses Fay tavern,
where the first town meetings were
held.
He was harness maker and car
riage trimmer by trade, carrying on
a good trade for years, was consta-
BILE and collector Of taxes, justice Of
the peace, holding other town offices.
In 1912 his wife and mother of all
the children died and was buried at
South Barnard. Soon after Mr..
French with family moved to Ware,
Mass, with many others from Bar
nard. Here he became popular and
opened another harness shop, doing
more extensive business than when
in Barnard, was elected representa-
tive to the general assembly in Bos-
ton from Ware. So time went on
for years. Mr.. French's second wife
died, the girls all married, boys at
sea. and he left alone with old age
coming on. Naturally he turned for
Vermont and the scenes of his
younger days. Here he found
haven of rest in the comfortable and
quiet home of Mr.. and Mrs. l.. c.
Kendall at South Woodstock, where
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