French Family
Association
Mara
French, P.O. Box 1109, Sutter Creek, CA 95685-1109. 209-267-0649 marafrench@mindspring.com
Chart
#90, Montreville French, 1838
Christian Co., IL; Kentucky; St.
Claire, MO; and
Chickasaw Nation, OK
Pittsburg Co., OK
Chickasaw and Choctaw Nation, Oklahoma
This
chart updated by Mara French on 3/31/08. Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to the bibliography at the end
of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Please send me
any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com.
Revisions 1994, 2008.
Contents
History and Research
The
first records of this family are in Virginia, then Shelby and Christian Co.,
IL. Then family then lived in Kentucky (perhaps Madison Co., ), Missouri, and
then Oklahoma where they lived on Chickasaw Nation Indian Territory in 1900.
Most likely this family connects with FFA Chart #36 which is from Virginia and
uses the names Mason, George, and Hugh.
First Generation
1.1* William
Mason French, b. ca. 1805-07 in VA [1] [4] [13], d. in Shelby Co., IL ca. 1855
and is buried in the old Coal Creek Cemetery [13] next to Coal Creek Bible Church in
Shelby Co., IL. The church was originally built for St. JohnÕs Evangelical
Lutheran Church in 1866. William moved to Christian Co., IL about 1850 [13].
William m. Jane E. who was b. in 1810 in VA [16] and d. 1880 [19]. William is
listed in the 1840 Census of Harrison, KY with 2 males under 5 (Montreville and
William), 3 males between 5 and 10 (George, John, Mason), 1 female between 15
and 20, 1 male between 30 and 40 (William), 1 female between 5 and 10, 1 female
between 10 and 15, and 1 female between 20 and 30 (Jane). He was living close
to Bennet Dynes. WilliamÕs father could be Mason French, b. ca. 1775 in VA [2].
Second Generation
Children
of William and Jane French, 1.1.
Of
these 12 children, 11 were males. The 1840 census shows several other females.
2.1
Henry French [16].
2.2 Hugh
French, b. 1825 [16].
2.3
Charles French, b. 1826 [16].
2.4
Mason French, b. 1832 [16].
2.5
John J. French, b. Oct 1833 in KY [2,3], m. Sara A. Fletcher on Jul 1877 in TN.
Sara was b. 1842. In 1880 John was in Polk Co., MO, age 46 with his wife Ara E,
38 and their adopted son John Whitney, 8 years old, born in MO [4]. Apparently
no children were born to this couple; however, Sara had two children with the
last name Fletcher [2]. Both John and his brother, Montreville, lived in the
Chickasaw Nation Indian Territory in 1900 [2].
2.6
George French, b. 1835 [16].
2.7
William French, b. 1836 [16].
2.8*
Montreville French, b. Dec 1838 in Harrison, KY, m. Lucinda Raymond [19] in
1864 and had 5 children born in MO [1]. Lucinda was b. Jan 1841 in KY [2] [3],
and d. 26 May 1910 in Kiowa, OK. She was the dau. of William Raymond (b. ca.
1803) and Nancy (b. ca. 1806) [19]. Montreville was a farmer in Kentucky [1].
In the 1880 census, this family lived in St. Claire, Doyle Co., MO [2] [5].
Montreville was 41 and a farmer, and Lucinda was 38 [4] In the 1880 census, his
parents are both listed as born in VA, Roll T9_714, Page 384D, ED 235. In 1890
both Montreville and his brother, John, lived in Chickasaw Nation Indian
Territory [2]. Montreville and Lucinda lived in Pittsburg Co., OK in 1910 [5],
which celebrated its 100th birthday on 16 Nov 2007. Montreville was
buried in Holdenville, OK [13]. The name ÒMontrevilleÓ and ÒMontvilleÓ were
commonly-used names among the Chickasaw Nation as a surname, Christian name, or
town name. In the French language, Monteville means Òsmall mountain or hillÓ.
Montreville d. 9 Apr 1911 in Holdenville, Hughes Co., OK.
2.9
Mary French, b. 1845 [16].
2.10
Joseph French, b. 1847 [16].
2.11
Emerim French, b. 1848 [16].
2.12
Richard French, b. 1849 [16].
Third Generation
Children
of Montreville and Lucinda (Raymond) French, 2.8.
3.1
Nancy French, b. 1864 [19].
3.2*
Mason (Mace [13]) French, b. 1866 in MO [4], or in IL [13], lived in St.
Claire, Doyle Co., MO in 1880 with his parents [4]. Not living with his parents
in the 1900 MO Census [3]. Died 30 Oct 1930 in Vernon, Wilbarger Co., TX [13]
[19]. Mason
m. Annie Cannaday on 20 Feb 1906 in Kiowa, OK [15] (he was 40 and she was
18). She was b. 1888, d. 1918 in Savanna area of OK [13]. Mason worked at the
prison [13]. After moving to IL, he was part of a petition drive to changing
the township to Pana
township, Christian Co., IL in 1856. The name ÒPanaÓ is derived from the
Native American tribe, the Pawnee. This township was first known as Stone Coal
Precinct when it was founded in 1845. In 1857 the village of Pana was
incorporated. Mason farmed around the town of Pana; some of the family are
buried at the East
Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg, IL. All their children were born in the
Savana area in OK. They had several that died young and four children who
survived. Annie was 22 years younger than Mason. Mason was mostly of Indian
ancestry. AnnieÕs mother, Martha Turner, came from the Muskogee area of OK
[13]. One of their daughters was Rilla Lee French, b. 1912 in Savanna, OK, m.
Ivy, d. 1981 in Sacramento, CA [13].
3.3
William Thomas French, b. 15 Feb 1870 in MO [16], lived in St. Claire, Doyle
Co., MO in 1880 with his parents [4]. Not living with his parents in the 1900
MO Census [3]. William d. 7 Jan 1936 [16]. He m. Iva Mae Harris on 28 Jan 1896
[16].
3.4
Samantha E. French, b. 1872 in MO, lived in St. Claire, Doyle Co., MO in 1880
with her parents [4]. Not living with her parents in the 1900 MO Census [3].
She m. James Pierce [16].
3.5
Mary E. French, b. May 1875 in MO [3], lived in St. Claire, Doyle Co., MO in
1880 with her parents [4]. She was living in MO in 1900 with her parents
according to the Soundex. Mary d. 1907 [16].
3.6*
James Mathew or Madison French, b. 5 May 1879 in Springfield, Greene Co., MO
[16] [19] in Springfield, Greene Co., MO, living in St. Claire, Doyle Co., MO
in 1880 with his parents [4], age 21 in the 1900 MO Census living with his
parents [3], m. Mary Ellen Davis in Sherman, Grayson Co., TX ca. 1905. She was
b. Jan 1884 [3] or 25 Jul 1883 [16] and d. 29 Jun 1977 in Holdenville, Hughes
Co., OK [16]. They had 11 children [16]. James d. 2 Jul 1961 in Holdenville,
Hughes Co., OK [19].
3.7*
Charles Henry French, b. 10 Sep 1884/85 in Fannin Co., TX, d. 10 Sep 1934 in
Ropesville, TX [1] or in Meadow, Terry Co., TX [19], m. Sarah "Pearl"
or ÒBelleÓ Fields on 24 May 1903 [19]. Fannin Co. is just west of Red River Co.
and just south of the Oklahoma border. Sara was b. 5 Mar 1885 in Polk Co. MO, d.
31 Jul 1976 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA [1]. She was the dau. of Alexander
Robertson Fields (1856-1923) and Malinda May Rounsaville (1864-1910) [19]. The
Fields family may have been Cherokee Indian [2]. Ref [1] says that the Fields
family definitely do not look Indian, but English. Ref [1]Õs parents were born
in Red River Co., TX, just south of the Oklahoma border, because they couldnÕt
marry in Indian territory. SarahÕs father was Alexander Robertson Fields, b.
1860 perhaps in Yell Co. AR and m. 2 Mar 1880 in Bluffton, AR to Malinda May
Rounsaville who was b. 24 Jul 1864 in Bluffton, AR [1]. CharlesÕ mother was 42
years old at his birth.
Fourth Generation
Children
of Mason and Annie (Cannaday) French, 3.2
4.1
– 4.6 They had several that died young and four children who survived.
All were born in Savanna, OK [13].
4.7
Rilla Lee French, b. 1912 in Savanna, OK, m. Ivy, d. 1981 in Sacramento, CA
[13].
Children
of James M. and Mary (Davis) French, 3.6
4.8
Lillie French, m. Ray Craft [16].
4.9 James
French, m. Jean [16].
4.10
Bertha French, m. Dan Simpson [16].
4.11
Raymond Montreville French [16].
4.12
Nathan French [16].
4.13
Eula Fay French, m. Ray Ferguson [16].
4.14
Imagine French, m. James Arnold Robinson [16].
4.15
William Otho French, m. Bernice Floyd [16].
4.16
Willie Ray French, b. 31 Mar 1901, d. 11 May 1901 [16].
4.17
Effie Myrtle French, b. 16 Jan 1904, d. 31 Oct 1904 [16].
Children
of Charles Henry and Sarah (Fields) French, 3.7
4.18*
Ester J. French Sr., (son), b. 27 Feb 1904 in Indian Territory, OK [19], d. 1
Jan 1990 in Levelland, Hockley Co., TX [19]. He m. Anna Belle Cline, the dau.
of Frances Cline (b. ca. 1872) and Margret E (b. ca. 1875). They were m. 27 Dec
1926 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [19]. They had 5 children.
4.19
Winnie Mae French, b. 15 Jun 1905 in Indian Territory, OK [19], d. 18 Nov 1997
in Crane, Crane Co., TX [19]. She m. Otis Olen Shaw on 22 Dec 1928 in Lubbock,
Lubbock Co., TX [19]. They had 4 children: James Charles, Jerry Wayne, Patricia
Yvonne, and Otis Michael [19].
4.20
Lucinda (Cynthia) French, b. 24 Jan 1908 in Indian Territory, OK, d. Mar 1992
in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM. She m1. Warren Henry, m2. John W. Gover [19].
4.21*
Willis (Bill) Oble French, b. 19 Apr 1911 in Indian Territory, OK [19], d. Dec
1984 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM. He m. Mamie Iris Shaw, the dau. of James
William Shaw (b. ca. 1879) and Emma Ruth Melton (b. ca. 1886). They married in
1934 in Comanche, Stephens Co., OK, and had 2 children [19].
4.22
Vera Knox French, b. 10 Dec 1915 in Vera, Knox Co., TX [19], d. 27 Feb 2004 in
San Diego, San Diego Co., CA. She m. Robert Morgan Elkins on 14 Mar 1938 in
Alamogordo, Otero Co., NM and had 2 children [19].
4.23
Hazel Beatrice, b. 4 Feb 1919 in Cottle Co., TX, alive in 2008 [1]. She m.
Clint Ray Melton on 3 Nov 1933 in Littlefield, Lamb Co., TX and had 4 children:
Gary Dean, Jo Ann Rhea, Sharian June, Renetta Schrae [19].
4.24
Nora Ellen French, b. 8 Jun 1921 in Paducah, Cottle Co., TX [19], d. 6 Jan 2001
in El Cajon, San Diego Co., CA. She was buried 10 Jan 2001 in the Greenwood
Mortuary, San Diego, CA [19]. She m. Buford Milton Huffman on 22 Jan 1944 in
San Diego, CA and had one daughter Sara LuAnn [19]. Buford worked on highways
in NM, CO approximately 1935-1938, heavy equipment operator on the Panama Canal
1941-1942, U.S. Navy WWII 1943-1945, auto body shop owner 1946-1980, and
apartment owner 1980-1993 [19].
4.25
Anna (Ann) Lee French, b. 24 Jul 1924 in Ropesville, Hockley Co., TX, m. 16 Nov
1943 in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ to William Troy Ferguson, lives in Mesa, AZ
in 2008 and have 2 children: Barbara Kay and Nora Carol. William died young in
1952 on Presque Isle, Arostook Co., Maine [19].
Fifth Generation
Children
of Ester J. and Anna Belle (Cline) French, 4.18
5.1
Ester J. Jr. French, 1927-2007 [19].
5.2
Gene Weldon French, 1929-living in 2008 [19].
5.3
Jack Rae French (twin), 1930-2005 [19].
5.4
Janice Mae French (twin), 1930-living in 2008 [19].
5.5 Joe
Wayne Sr. French, 1933-living in 2008 [19].
Children
of Willis Oble and Mamie Iris (Shaw) French, 4.21
5.6
Billie Charles French, b. 1934 [19].
5.7 Don
French [19].
Bibliography
[1] FFA
member Anna Lee Ferguson, 135 Fraser Dr. West, Mesa, AZ 85203. Tel: (480)
964-7709, and her daughter Barbara Davidson, email: clearpicture@yahoo.com. Her nephew is
Jerry Huffman in San Diego, ref [19].
[2] Sue
Taylor, 2517 Mauna Kea Dr., Ceres, CA 95037. Tel: (209) 538-4338. Sue has done
much research on the Oklahoma Indian Tribes. (Sue is deceased)
[3]
Missouri U.S. Census Soundex, 1900 shows John as 66 yrs old.
[4]
Polk Co., Missouri 1880 U.S. Census Soundex.
[5]
Oklahoma 1910 U.S. Census.
[6]
History of Polk Co., MO, 1889, #977.8 H6731a at the Los Angeles Public Library,
Spring & 5th. Frenches listed are Daniel, J.F. in Polk Co. in 1887 as an
adult, Lewis, S.W., and William.
[7]
Pioneer Families of Missouri, section on Callaway County, 1977. #977.8 B915 at
the Los Angeles Public Library, Spring & 5th. Might be connected to Chart
#40, Samuel Sherril French.
[8] Chickasaw
Nation website
[9] Chickasaw Nation, Indian
Territory, 1837-1907 history, was one of five
Indian Nations in the U.S. The Chickasaw were removed to Indian Territory
in the 1930s from northeast Mississippi, northwest Alabama, Kentucky, and
Tennessee. They spoke the Muskogean language.
[10]
removed
[11]
removed
[12]
Vivian Sternenberg, topaz54@excite.com
(old email), website for French Family of
Savanna, OK.
[13]
Don Milligan, okdon38@juno.com
[14]
Jennifer Warren, jwarren@pacifier.com
[15] Choctaw Nation
Marriages, Groom Index, 1895-1907
GROOM
AGE BRIDE AGE DATE RESIDENCE
FRENCH,
CHARLEY 28 GILBERT, MARY 16 7 NOV 1899 WILBURTON/PANOLA
FRENCH,
G C 19 FREEMAN, EMMA 26 17 DEC 1902 JEFFS
FRENCH,
HENRY 26 MINES, ODIE 23 20 FEB 1901 BUCK
FRENCH,
J F 42 CHICKY, R 19 19 APR 1897 GOODLAND
FRENCH,
JOHN 35 MILLER, EMMA 18 4 OCT 1903 CAMERON
FRENCH,
L A 28 BARNES, EVA 19 25 FEB 1906 HUGHES
FRENCH,
L CHANCEY 19 BOORMAN, OLLIVE 18 15 DEC 1906 KIOWA
FRENCH,
MASON 40 CANNADAY, ANNIE 18 20 FEB 1906 KIOWA
FRENCH,
PATRICK 38 TUCKER, ELIZABETH 33 19 OCT 1891 CAMERON
FRENCH,
THOMAS 19 PRICE, KATIE 17 19 AUG 1905 VICTOR/LeFLORE
FRENCH,
THOMAS R 23 ADAMS, LIZZIE 20 23 DEC 1903 HUGHES
FRENCH,
W J 37 CONAWAY, SARAH E 27 16 MAR 1898 RED OAK
[16]
Ancestry: http://trees.ancestry.com/
[17] 1880
Census for the inhabitants in Doyle, St. Clair Co., MO
[18]
Mike OÕGuinn, ringer715@att.net,
http://www.oguinnfamily.com, and the
French website is
http://www.oguinnfamily.com/french/michael.html
[19]
Jerry Huffman in San Diego, email: jmhuff1@mac.com,
nephew of [1]. Alexander French does not belong to this family, but to the family
of FFA
Chart #87.
Records
U.S. Indian Census Schedules, 1885-1940
The website
shows 2,776 individuals with the surname French stating the tribe they belonged
to in the states of Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Carolina,
New Mexico, Nebraska, Arizona, Minnesota, South Dakota, Oregon, Iowa,
Washington, and North Dakota.