The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1917-10-30

Bank, in which position he continued
until 1898.
In 1000 he was elected Clerk of
our Circuit Court for the unexpired
term of Newton X. Bright, and dur
ing the years 1907-1911 was Assist
ant Auditor of Public Accounts of
Kentucky.
He was a devoted member of the
Masonic fraternity and was honored
with the highest places in its gift.
He was pre-eminent among his
fellow Masons, was Grand High
Priest Of the Grand Chapter of Roy
al Arch Masons in 1882, Grand Mas
ter of the Grand Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, in 1888, and in
1912 was elected Recorder of the
Grand Council of Royal and Select
Masters of Kentucky and Grand
Secretary of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons, holding these
last named two positions continu-
ously until his death. He was deep
ly versed in all the learning pertain
ing to this order, was eloquent and
impressive in the rendition of its
ritual, and was recognized author
ity among his brethren all over the
State on all questions arising upon
their laws, practice and traditions.
On June 5, 1878, Judge French
married Miss Phoebe Crawford, on
ly daughter of James M. Crawford,
who was once clerk of our Circuit
Court. Mrs. French survives, with
their two sons, James c., drug
gist with r. HI. White & Co., Of this
city, and William H., who was for
several years connected with the
Capital Trust Company, of Frank
fort, and is now a First Lieutenant
in the National Army, having re-
ceived his commission at the end of
his course Of training at Fort Ben
jamin Harrison. Their only daugh-
ter and oldest child, Miss Juliet,
preceded her father to the tomb by
several years.
In mental vigor, in attainment and
culture, Judge French was easily in
the front rank of our citizenship.
He was of strikingly dignifed bear
ing, yet the most adaptable and
agreeable of companions for men of
all ages. Familiar instances of this
are his connection with this county's
company of State Guards, of which
he was the first Captain, and the
active part he took and the interest
with which he inspired others in the
Controversial Club of twenty years
ago, composed principally of young
er men but of which he was one of
the most enthusiastic and faithful
members.
To comment upon the character
and rigid integrity of this man is al
most like treading on hallowed
ground, so inadequate are the words
which we can command fiji to
the reverence with
which he regarded the rights of 9TH
ers and his obligations to his fei-
lows. Compared with his own
ideals, our warmest words can seem
scarcely more than that faint praise,
which by its faintness almost con-
dennis. Suffice it to say that he
was true to every duty, faithful to
every trust, and that his character
was fit to be cited by father to son
as that which the father would want
the son to attain.
Judge French never fully regain
ed his bodily strength after the
protraeted illness which threatened
his life four years ago, and was
feeble from that time
until his death. In the days since
that illness he was a familiar figure
On our streets, his friends greeting
him affectiOnately and wondering to
themselves how so frail a body
could continue to retain his spirit.
When it could no longer do so, he