Theodore L French
| Date of Interment or Death | 08/06/1892 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 1-3-3 |
Obituary
Theodore L. French-1892
Death of T. L. French
T. L. French, Esq., died Saturday, August 6, at 4 o’clock p.m.
Friday afternoon Mr. French was injured in falling backwards from his buggy. He had stepped into the buggy, and was in the act of sitting down, when the horse moved and Mr. French fell backwards, striking his head and shoulders on the hard street. The accident occurred in front of Moody’s barn between first and second streets.
After the accident some friends carried the injured man into the bar, where he remained all night. Physicians and friends were with the sufferer constantly during the night, but acute paralysis set it, and all efforts to prolong life were futile. Mr. French’s mind was perfectly clear up to the moment of death, which he realized was soon to occur.
The funeral took place Tuesday at the family home three miles south of Wahpeton. Rev. J. H. Keeley of St. Thomas, preached a shot sermon and the M.E. church choir rendered some beautiful music. Services at the grave were conducted by the Wahpeton lodge of Free Masons and Brother P. J. McCumber delivered a beautiful and touching oration. The Cornet band assisted in the exercises, and the body was laid to rest in the spot chosen by the deceased on the beautiful farm he had created out of the virgin prairie.
Theodore L. French was born in Vermont fifty-six years ago. His parents moved overland from Vermont to Illinois when he was nine months old, and soon after his mother died from the effects of the long journey. After his mother’s death the little boy went into the family of his uncle, Thomas Wood of Sycamore, Ill. and remained with his uncle until he grew to manhood. During his youth and early manhood Mr. French was fond of mechanics and this peculiar faculty developed until the Adams & French Harvester was invented and patented. This was a great machine in its time and some of the principles in its construction are embodied in the great binders of the present date. The patents were sold to the Sandwich Manufacturing Co. and that is where Mr. French got his financial start in life. For many years he enjoyed a royalty on every machine manufactured.
Mr. French married Miss Mary E. Barnes who with one son Jesse R. French survives the deceased. Leaving Sycamore Mr. French went to Cedar Falls Iowa where he was engaged in the real estate business for a number of years with John A. Bowen now of La Prairie Minnesota under the firm name of T. L. French & Co. Back in the seventies Mr. French became interested in North Dakota and was here off and on until 1886, when he brought his family to Wahpeton and made his permanent home. Here he has been engaged in farming, real estate, stock raising, money loaning, and finally engaged in banking. A few years ago Mr. French organized the Peoples Bank of which C. N. Wood was cashier. Wood was succeeded by Mr. W. D. Henry. Mr. French owned property in many different states and cities and his fortune is estimated at $150,000.
Mr. French was one of the principal promoters of the M. E. University located at Wahpeton. He was active in securing the location, intelligent in laying plans for building and shrewd in making the contracts. He gave liberally of his abundant means, and as treasurer of the board did work for which he will be remembered.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.