Shelby  County,  Indiana
Biographies

James  M. French

          James M. French,  a native of Shelby County, Ind., was born March 21, 1841.  His father,  John French,  was born in Ohio in 1812, and at the age of seventeen, came to Shelby County, Ind., and resided in the town of Black Hawk.  John was married, in 1836; to  Miss Lydia Spurling,  and, after her death, was married, in 1844, to  Jane M. Williams.  Mr. French died in December, 1864.  The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and July 8, 1861, enlisted in the United States Army, in Company H, Nineteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  James was assigned to the First Division and First Brigade of the Eastern War Department.  He engaged in the battle at Catlet Station, Va., the second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly and South Mountain. In the latter battle he was so severely wounded in the right thigh, that eight pieces of bone had to be removed. James was unable to walk without crutches for fourteen months. He remained in the hospital at Frederick City during this time, and was discharged October 13, 1863. James then returned to Shelby County, where he engaged in farming, and, in 1865, removed to Johnson County.  In 1875, he came to Tipton County and purchased forty acres of land in Cicero Township, Section 28, where he has since resided.  His farm is all, excepting six acres, under cultivation, and well drained.  Mr. French was married, December 1, 1866, in Johnson County, Ind., to  Miss Caroline Doty.  They have five children living-  Louis A., born January 20, 1868;  Sarah A., born April 17, 1870;  Charlie H., born March 5, 1872;  Laura E., born December 31, 1873, and  Ida, born June 8, 1876.  Mr. French is a member of the G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Republican party.
Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana:  Historical and Biographical, Illustrated, Charles Blanchard, editor. Chicago, F. A. Battey & Co, 1883.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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