Henry A. France, M.D. The medical profession in this county is ably represented by the subject of our sketch, who came to Far Rockaway from Herkimer County in 1886 and has since conducted a general practice in the village and surrounding country. In educational matters, too, he has been deeply interested and has contributed not a little to promoting the standard of education in the village school.

The France family is of German origin and preceding generations, of former centuries, spelled the name Franz. Our subject’s father, Jacob, was born in Schoharie County, but removed thence to Herkimer County, where he engaged in farming until his death, at seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Robinson, was born of English extraction in Schoharie County, and died at the age of fifty-six years. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter, namely: Theodore W., who lives in San Francisco; Spencer S., deceased; Henry A.; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Albert Gay, of Far Rockaway, and Luther G., a resident of Napa, Cal.

In Herkimer County, where he was born December 24, 1834, the subject of this notice passed his boyhood years upon a farm and early in life became familiar with the work incident to that occupation. His preliminary education was obtained in the district schools and under his father’s instruction; his practical education was obtained by teaching; which was his work for eight years. During that time he also took a course in Fairfield Academy. He had a natural inclination for the study of medicine, and his work was directed with that end in view. After reading medicine with Dr. S. R. Milling, he attended a course of lectures, but his plans were disarranged by the outbreak of the rebellion.

With the enthusiasm of a patriot, our subject in 1862 enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, First Regiment, Berdan’s Sharpshooters, and serving for seven months. When near Fredericksburg, and while he was suffering with typhoid fever, during extreme cold weather, he was obliged to sleep three nights on the ground, the consequence being that he froze his feet. His illness, with its subsequent undermining of the constitution, rendered him unfit for duty, and he was honorable discharged on account of disability. For a time he was hospital steward and assistant surgeon.

Returning to Herkimer County, as soon as recuperated our subject resumed the study of medicine, and in 1864 graduated from the Albany Medical College. The following year he commence active practice in his native county, where he was alone for five years and in partnership with his former preceptor for three years, after which he was again alone until he removed from the county. His practice extended over a large territory. The work was hard and severe, the trips long and frequent, and these reasons caused him to establish his office in Far Rockaway, where the settlements are more compact.

By his marriage to Betsy D. Gilbert, of Massachusetts, Dr. France had one child, Lydia Alice, now the wife of S. S. Prentice, of Vernon, Oneida County. His second marriage united him with Ella Munn, of Herkimer County, and resulted in the birth of one child, Henry J., now in Far Rockaway. His present wife bore the maiden name of Jennie C. Evans and is a lady of amiable disposition and hospitable manners. Politically a Republican, the Doctor cast his first vote for John C. Freemont. He is a charter member of Olympia Lodge No. 808, F. & A. M., and belongs to Seaside Lodge, I.O.O.F, the Order of Foresters, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In former years he was a Methodist, but there being no church of that denomination in Far Rockaway, he identified himself with the Presbyterian Church. For twenty years he was school trustee. He was elected president of the board at a time when the increase of the population demanded additional school facilities, and to his labors, together with those of other public-spirited men., is due the erection of the commodious and well constructed school building. Wishing to get all the information possible, he investigated the school buildings elsewhere and eventually recommended the plan that was, with slight alterations, adopted. Having accomplished this result, and seeing that the school was on a good footing, he refused to further serve in that capacity, and a worthy successor was chosen in the person of Archibald Mutch. However, he still maintains his interest in educational work, as in every good cause for the benefit of the people.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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