FRENCH, George E., D. V. S. - 1914

FRENCH, WARD, BRYANT, BARNES, SMITH, HAZZARD

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2009 at 01:52:03

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

GEORGE E. FRENCH, D. V. S.

Dr. George E. French, controlling a large patronage as a veterinary surgeon in Marcus, was born in Canada, April 21, 1860, and is a son of John and Jane (Ward) French, the former a native of England and the latter of Canada. The father moved to the Dominion about the year 1852 and worked at the masons trade there until September, 1867, when he moved to Jackson county, Iowa. There he rented land and operated a farm until 1871, when he came to Cherokee county, purchasing property in Amherst township. During the period of his connection with agricultural interests here he encountered many obstacles and reverses, losing his crops on account of the grasshoppers at one time and meeting also with a great deal of trouble on account of the severe winters. He was at one time in one of the outbuildings upon his farm when a blizzard came on and was obliged to remain there for three days before he could get to his home. However, he carried forward the work of improving his property along progressive and modern lines and eventually met with success. He died in October, 1908, having survived his wife two years.

Dr. George E. French was eleven years of age when his parents moved to Cherokee county and he completed here an education begun in Jackson county. After laying aside his books he remained upon the farm with his father until he was twentyseven years of age and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Amherst township. After operating and improving this for three years he sold the farm, receiving eightyseven dollars and fifty cents an acre for land which he had bought at twelve dollars an acre. He moved into Marcus and was connected for eight years with the dray business, after which he took up the study of veterinary surgery. After receiving his degree he established himself in practice in Marcus and he is now in control of a large patronage, his skill and ability being widely recognized.

On the i2th of December, 1886, Dr. French married Miss Clara Bryant, a daughter of William and Fanny Bryant, natives of England. Mrs. French passed away in August, 1889, leaving a daughter, Edna, who is now the wife of R. E. Barnes, of Cherokee. On the 12th of October, 1892, Dr. French was again married, his second union being with Miss Alice Smith, a daughter of Herbert A. and Elsie (Hazzard) Smith, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The father went to Winona, Illinois, as a young man and engaged in the meat business there for a number of years. In 1890 he moved to Cherokee county and after farming for three years retired, moving to Marcus, where he now resides. Dr. and Mrs. French have become the parents of a son, Merle, aged nineteen.

Dr. French is a member of the Methodist church, is connected fraternally with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. In addition to his home on Locust street in Marcus he owns also a half section of land in South Dakota. He is one of the most successful veterinary surgeons in this part of the state and stands high in social and professional circles.