BIOGRAPHY

FRENCH FAMILY - OF BETHANY, NY

The French family came from England on the ship Mayflower, and first located in the East. Richard B. French was born in the northwest part of the town of Bethany in 1815. He received a common school and academic education, was a farmer, school teacher by occupation, and July 4, 1843, he married Esther, only daughter of Nehemiah Tracy, of Alexander, and they had three children: Carson F., W. Cary, and Ernie W. Cary, born November. 20, 1847, was educated in the common schools, and in Pike Seminary, Wyoming County. Mr. French has held the office of highway commissioner of his town. June 25, 1874, he married Zorada, seventh daughter of Edmund Brainard, of Middlebury, Wyoming County. They have had three children, of whom one son is deceased, and two survive, namely: Irma B., born June 30, 1875, and C. Tracy, born December 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. French reside on road 35, on the old Brainard place.

FROM: Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890