An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 278-279.

JOSHUA W. FRENCH, of French & Company, bankers in The Dalles, is one of the
foremost financiers in eastern Oregon. He was born in Holland, Vermont, on
September 13, 1830. His brothers, Daniel and Smith French, are mentioned
elsewhere in this work. Joshua W. was educated in the district schools and by
personal investigation and reading. Until twenty-one, he labored on the farm
between school terms and knows well the rugged life of the agriculturist. In
1852, he journeyed via the isthmus to the Mecca of the west, California, and for
two years was industriously engaged in panning the golden sands of that favored
region. With his brothers, Daniel and Joseph, he was also engaged in operating a
ferry on the Stanislaus river and also handled a roofing business in San
Francisco. As early as 1864, Mr. French landed in The Dalles, joining his
brother, Daniel, who had preceded him to this location. They established the
first bank in The Dalles and since the day it opened its doors it has taken and
held the position of one of the sound moneyed institutions of the land. Its
policy has been dictated by men of marked financial ability and there is no more
thoroughly established banking house on this coast. Our subject has had a great
part in forming the policy and conducting this business, being always associated
with his brother, Daniel, who has since passed away. Since the death of his
brother, Mr. French assumed charge of the bank and has stood at its head
maintaining the most excellent reputation the institution has always borne and
conducting its affairs with an aggressiveness, yet always tempered with a wise
conservatism, sagacity, and breadth of grasp, that have added still greater
triumphs to the bank and demonstrated, as well, the manner of man at the helm.
In addition to this responsible position, Mr. French is associated with various
other enterprises of importance and is sought after in counsel by all who may
have the good fortune to obtain his ear and receive his expressed judgment. His
personal attention is given to the bank and other enterprises are secondary when
compared with this. He is president of the Arlington National Bank and also
director in several companies with which he is associated.      

Like his brothers, Daniel and Smith French, Johsua W. French is a man of strong
individuality and with them has been an important factor in the development and
growth of eastern Oregon.      

Mr. French married Miss Ellen Burke, a native of Maine, the wedding occurring in
California. The children born to this happy Union are: Mrs. Nellie J. Bolton, of
The Dalles; Edward H., paying teller in French & Company Bank; and Vivian H.
assistant manager of the Wasco Warehouse and Milling Company. Mr. French is a
leading member of the A.F. & A.M. and in politics is Republican, but not active.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.