The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-29
WILSON FRENCH
 DEAD. AT 87 IN STAMFORD HOME
Survivor of Andersonville Prison Had Notable Civil
 War Record.

century a resident of the town of Stratford, for many years engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Bridgeport, veteran of the Civil war and one of the few now surviving who was a prisoner in Andersonville prison during the war, died last evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank R. Sammis, 949 Academy H;ll, Strat- ford, atthe age of S7 years. It. may well be said of Captain French that when rest finally came to him an ideal life came to a peaceful close.
 He was born in Bridgeport, Novem- ber 23, 1929, and was married at Os- sining, N. Y, then Sing Sing, in 1853 to Martha Newton Boughton, and their golden wedding was celebrated in 1893.
 Mrs. French died in 1910, leaving two children, both of whom survive Captain French, Mrs. Frank R. Sam mis of Stratford, and Robert B. French of Brooklyn, N. Y. The latter for a number of years was in business in Bridgeport, first with his father, in the firm of Wells & French and later with the Bridgeport Standard. Four grand children also survive him.
 A quiet, unassuming man, but with unusa1 strength of character and firm ness of convictions, he answered the call of President Lincoln when the Civil war broke ot and enlisted in the Union army in 1862, as a lieutenant in 17th Connecticut Volunteers.
 Under command of N1en. O. O. How ard, Captain French and his command took part in the hottest fighting in the battles of Gettysburg and Chan cellorsville and in many lesser en- agreements. During the battle of Get tysburg he was wounded and throughout life carried in his body part of Confederate shell. He was promoted for gallantry in action to be captain, which rank he held at the close of the war.
 Iti was a private in his command who fired the first shot in the battle of Chance1lorsville, he being officer of the guard when the battle opened.
 He was subsequently, captured by the Confederates and was confined for a number of weeks in Andersonville prison hNing released at the close of the war.
 Though his gallantry as a soldier had been .conspicuous and was known to those of his command and to the officers above him. it became a closed book with him when peace came again to the suffering country and he took up the pursuit of business with the vigor which had marked his ca- reer as soldier.
 At the close of the war he and Mrs. French took up their home in Strat- ford where they resided for the bal ance of their lives. ITO those who had access to their home and who were priviliged to, know them their family life was an inspiration and an exam pie in it's beauty.
 Captain French was an active Worker and member of the Methodist church for fifty years. and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday school. He was probably the oldest member of the Methodist church in Stratford and in actual age. having been active in the work for at least half cen tury. During that time he has served the, church as trustee, as treasurer and as assteward and by the church his loss will be deeply felt and sim cerely grieved-
 He was member of Elias Howe post, G. A. R., and was deeply loved and respected by the members of the Grand Army who knew as few others did the great measure of his man. hood, the broadness of his love for his fellownAen and for his country and the rara satisfaction that came from h axyjncr hin, as a friend tH !
 For the past few years he had been gradually declining in health but kept about as usual until within a compar- atively short time when he began to fail rapidly. the end coming last even ing.
 The funeral will be held Sunday af- ternoon at 3 o'clock from the Meth odist church in Stratford, the church which he had served so faithfully and well during life.