James M. French facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James M. French
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| Member of the Virginia Senate from the Pulaski, Bland, Giles and Russell Counties district |
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| Colonel | |
| In office October 5, 1869 – December 5, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | Charles L. Crockett |
| Succeeded by | redistricting |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the Pulaski, Bland, Tazewell and Russell counties district |
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| In office December 6, 1871 – December 31, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | redistricting |
| Succeeded by | Samuel H. Newberry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1834 Bland County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 1916 (aged 81) San Diego County, California |
| Spouses | Rhoda Loudema Henderson, Lucy Gooch, Lillian Ogden |
| Children | 9 (1 deceased) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, soldier |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, judge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Virginia Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Virginia Militia Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel (CSA) |
| Unit | 51st Virginia Infantry, 63rd Virginia Infantry |
| Commands | 63rd Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Fort Donelson Battle of Chickamauga |
James Milton French (born September 14, 1834 – died January 3, 1916) was an important figure in Virginia during the 1800s. He was a lawyer, a soldier in the Confederate Army, and a politician. He helped write a new state constitution and served as a state senator before moving to the western United States.
Contents
Discovering James M. French's Early Life
James Milton French was born on September 14, 1834. His family lived at a place called Boyd Place in what is now Bland County, Virginia. His great-grandfather, Matthew French, had moved to the area in 1775. Matthew and his oldest son, John, fought for American independence. James M. French was named after his grandfather, James.
James had at least three brothers: Joseph, George, and Daniel. All of them later served in the Confederate Army under him. Before the American Civil War began, James M. French studied law. He became a lawyer in Wise County, Virginia.
Family Life and Marriages
James M. French married three times during his life. His first marriage was to Rhoda Loudema Henderson in 1856. Rhoda was the daughter of Augustus F. Henderson, who was a lawyer and mentor to James. They had eight children together, but one died young. Their children included Robert, who became a lawyer, and James Thompson, who became a minister.
After Rhoda passed away, James married Lucy Gooch. Later, in 1898, he married Lillian Lee Ogden, who lived longer than he did.
Exploring James M. French's Career
James French started his law practice in Gladeville, Wise County. He soon moved to Pearisburg, which was the main town in Giles County. His law work covered several counties in southwest Virginia. In 1860, he ran for a public lawyer position (Commonwealth Attorney) in Wise County but lost to his father-in-law.
Serving as a Confederate Military Officer
When the American Civil War started, James French and his brother Joseph joined the 51st Virginia Infantry in July 1861. Many soldiers in their unit got sick from diseases like pneumonia and typhoid fever. These illnesses caused more deaths than battles.
James French became a second lieutenant. His unit tried to defend the Kanawha Valley but lost a battle. They later helped defend Nashville, Tennessee. In February 1862, they fought in the Battle of Fort Donelson, a major battle.
In May 1862, James French left the 51st Virginia to help create a new unit, the 63rd Virginia Infantry. He became a Major. This new unit trained near Pearisburg. They had their first small victory in September 1862.
In April 1863, James French was captured by Union soldiers in eastern Kentucky. He was trying to recruit more soldiers. He was sent to a prison camp in Ohio called Camp Chase. However, he was exchanged for Union prisoners within a month and released.
In September 1863, Major French led his men to victory at the Battle of Chickamauga. About one-third of his soldiers were injured or killed in this battle. However, the Confederate forces were later defeated at the Battle of Missionary Ridge in November 1863.
James M. French was promoted to Colonel on April 4, 1864. He was wounded in battle in August 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign. He was captured a second time in December 1864 and sent back to Camp Chase. He was finally released in July 1865 after the war ended.
Political Roles After the War
After the war, James French went back to being a lawyer in Pearisburg. In 1867, people in Bland and Tazewell counties elected him to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868. This meeting was held to write a new state constitution for Virginia. The new constitution removed parts that allowed slavery.
After the new constitution was approved, James French was elected to the Senate of Virginia, which is part of the state government. He served as a state senator for several years, representing different counties.
By 1880, French had moved his law practice and family to Mercer, West Virginia. This city was growing because of a new railroad line that connected coalfields to the Ohio River.
In 1899, the Governor of Virginia asked French to join a commission. This group worked to find the exact locations of Virginia troops during the Battle of Chickamauga.
Later in his life, James French moved to Cochise County, Arizona, where his oldest son, Robert, was a lawyer. In 1910, at 75 years old, James ran a ranch with his third wife, Lillian, and his grandson.
The Final Years of James M. French
James M. French eventually moved to southern California. He lived near his daughter, May. Colonel French passed away in San Diego County, California, on January 3, 1916. He was survived by his third wife, several children, and grandchildren. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in San Diego.
