Riley French Sr. (1840-1926)

FRENCH, ONEIL, COOK, BAILEY

Posted By: Craig & Nancy Poole
Date: 4/6/2006 at 08:27:56

Nevada Journal, Nevada, Iowa, Feb. 28, 1927

County Pioneer Died In Texas

Riley French sr., 86, civil War Veteran Lived in Richland in Early Day

Riley French Sr., 86, civil War veteran and early day resident of the Johnson Grove neighborhood, died February 15 at his home in Dallas, Texas, where he had lived for thirty years, according to word received by his niece, Mrs. Mary O'Neil of Colo. Riley French was one of four sons of Micha French, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Blackhawk War, who came out here from Illinois in an early day and settled in Richland township in the Johnson Grove neighborhood. The father lived to a very advanced age and died and is buried in the Murphy cemetery, in the Johnson Grove neighborhood. The other sons were Henry, Charles and Isaac French, all of whom are dead. Riley French was born at Danville, Ill., December 16, 1840. When a small lad he and his brothers accompanied the family to Iowa and settled on Indian Creek northwest of this city and there have been descendants of the family in that neighborhood continually since. He served four years in the Civil War as a private in Company K, Thirty-second Iowa infantry. Returning from his army services he continued to make his home in Story county until about 35 years ago when he left for the south and had lived in Dallas over 30 years. He leaves his wife Hulda French, with whom he had lived for nearly 60 years and one daughter, besides numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Among the numerous nieces and nephews in this part of the country are Clark C. French of Richland, Mrs. Mary O'Neil of Colo, Riley French Jr. and Mrs Adelaide Cook of this city and numerous other more distant relatives.

(Wife Hulda's maiden name is Bailey)