[p. 722] a well-known resident of Wurtemburg, who owns and operates a large stone quarry, just on the edge of the town, was born at Wurtemburg, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1872, and is a son of Aaron and Anna (Van Gorder) French.
Aaron French, father of H. G., was born in Ohio and remained there through his school period and into early manhood. After coming to Lawrence County he worked as a farmer and when the Civil War was declared he was one of the earliest to offer his services. For three long years he was in the army, a member of Company C, Fifty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in many battles, often being in the greatest danger. He survived, however, to return to his former peaceful pursuits and married Anna VanGorder, a daughter of Hayes VanGorder. They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom still live.
Through boyhood, H. G. French attended school regularly, and then operated the home farm for a number of years. In 1900 he purchased his stone quarry, an enterprise he has developed himself. The present vein is by no means exhausted, and Mr. French will probably be engaged here for a long time to come, although to meet the demand he is now working heavily, giving employment to fourteen men.
Mr. French married Mary Miller, who is a daughter of A. S. Miller, who is a mill employe in Ellwood City. They have three interesting children: Edwin S., Charles A. and Pauline G., to whom Mr. French is giving the best educational advantage in his power. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, but has never accepted any office except that of school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Eagles.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 10 Dec 2001