R. W. French

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p. 71

R. W. FRENCH, hardware, Ashland, was born in Dummerston, Windham Co., Vt., March 20, 1830. He went to live in Erie Co., N.Y., where he learned the tinner's trade. He worked in Buffalo and from there went to Racine, Wis. back to Pennsylvania, then to Ohio, and finally went to LaCrosse, Wis. and bought a shop and built a dwelling; but, thinking to do better, he went to St. Paul for a short time, and then returning to LaCrosse, sold out and moved at once to Superior City, Wis. In 1872 moved to Ashland and opened store to a good business in hardware and stoves. He now carries a stock of $2,500 and does a business of $4,000 a year. In 1855 he married Miss Rosetta Marr, of Ohio. She died, leaving eight children—Ellen (now Mrs. Tanner), Emma, Eva, Fred, Clara, Mary, Frank and Rosa. In 1873 he married Miss Mary Vosburg, who died in 1874; he then married his present wife, Miss M. J. Haney, of Maine. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, and is deacon in the Presbyterian Church.