Lassen County Biographies

Thomas J. French

Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Nov. 2004

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Mr. French was born in Callaway county, Missouri, October 19, 1839. When 
nineteen years of age he started for Pike�s Peak, Colorado, but stayed only a 
few days there, and continued on to California, reaching Colusa county in 
October, 1859. He remained there until 1862, and then prospected on Humboldt 
river six months. In the spring of 1863 he began freighting, making Honey Lake 
valley his home. In 1868 he purchased the old Schaefer ranch, and lived on it 
till 1875, when he sold part of it and moved to the western portion, where he 
has since resided. His farm is 300 acres of hay land, twenty miles east of 
Susanville. He is a democrat in politics. February 23, 1873, he married Miss 
Emma Maston of Humboldt bay, born there July, 30, 1857. Their children are David 
M., born April 7, 1874; Theodore M., February 21, 1876; Elbernia, October 17, 
1878; Mary I., May 17, 1881. 
 
Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 
1513 to 1850. � Fariss and Smith, San Francisco,  1882. p 405