Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 473.
 
CHARLIE F. FRENCH

     resides at Grass Valley and was born in Michigan, on July 21, 1864. His
father was Ransome E. French, a native of Essex county, New York, and he married
Cordelia Heath. Our subject was raised in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky until
eighteen, and obtained his education in the district schools of those various
places. He assisted his father in general merchandising and also learned the
jeweler's trade. When the family came west in 1884, he accompanied them and
worked with his father on the land taken in this county. In Wasco, when
twenty-one years of age, Mr. French married Catherine Clement, a native of
Iowa. Her father, Alfred E., was born in England, and came to Colorado when he
was small. He married Miss Hodges. After marriage, our subject farmed for
himself some and also took a homestead. He bought railroad land and handled the
entire estate until 1903, when he sold it. He now owns a house and six acres in
Grass Valley and gives his attention to the jewelry business a portion of his
time. In addition to this, he owns and operates the largest steam threshing
outfit in Sherman county. It is a first-class outfit and is operated by an
engine of twenty horse power. Mr. French has three brothers, Leroy R., Frank,
and Johnnie. He also has two sisters. Lucy, the wife of F. G. Howard, a nephew
of General O. O. Howard, of Civil war fame, and Eva, wife of Frank Butz, of
Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. French belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Encampment and the
Elks. He is a Republican in politics, although not especially active, and is now
serving his second term as constable of district number four. His ancestors on
his father's side were Welsh people, and on his mother's English. They are both
old American families. Mr. French is a progressive, industrious man, and is well
known throughout the country.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.