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Biographies Page Jersey County Page
Mr. and Mrs. Josiah French
From: History of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah French, by George W. Moss, a small bookprivately published December 25, 1888.
Their son Josiah left home when at the age of 15, going to Charlestown to learn the trade of a carpenter, apprentice to Joseph Gerrish, with whom he came West, leaving Boston April 21, 1831, traveling by steamboat, canal and wagon, arriving in Carrollton, Ill., May 25. removed to Jersey Co. in 1833, afterwards for 18 months resided in Galena, Illinois. Returning to Jerseyville, he was married April 20th, 1838 to Miss Dolly Adams by Rev.Amos P. Brown.
Grandmother was eldest child of Newell L. and Sally (Bliss) Adams, both natives of Vermont, who soon after their marriage removed to Peru, Huron Co., Ohio where their daughter Dolly was born, January 26, 1818, and where some years later her mother died, after which the family moved to Jerseyville, Ill.
Great Grandfather Adams was a man of marked character, decided, generous, religious and a member of the Baptist Church. He gained a goodly competency for old age, and died in 1876, aged over 80 years.
Grandfather and Grandmother French resided near Jerseyville, Ill. till 1856, most of the time farming, although the last two years there he was engaged in the flour milling business. While residing there three sons and one daugther were born to them, viz.:
Joseph Gerrish, born Jan. 25, 1839
Josiah Newell, born May 16, 1842
Hannah Maria, born April 3, 1846
Orville Adams, born Aug. 15, 1849
In the spring of 1856 they removed to Bloomingdale Township, Dupage Co., Ill. purchasing a section of land in the best part of the great Prairie State.
Contributed by Les Chapman. He has information on the Josiah who is the father of the Josiah married to Dolly Adams and some speculation on what isn’t in the above book on their residing in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Contact Les at [email protected]. He intends to scan this book which is only about 20 pages and a couple of pictures and will be happy to make digital copies available at little or no cost to interested parties.
I am the great great granddaughter of Emma Cooley French through my grandmother, Ruth Elfreida French Wiegel. Ruth’s father was Ralph French and his mother was Emma Cooley. I came across this reference of the 20 page book by George Moss, a son-in-law I believe. I have a genealogy of the French family but have misplaced it (it will turn up, it always does). I am doing research on Emma Cooley French to attach to a red & white quilt that she made, which was given to me by my grandmother Ruth. I am much interested in obtaining a copy of this book. Please forward the details on how I could get a copy. Thank you. I’m planning a trip through New Mexico (I was born in Las Cruces also) and plan to stop at the University and see what copies I can get of the materials there. I would appreciate any help you could give me to fill in some blanks I have on the family.