Person:Mary Fargo (1)

Their son, Burton Franklin French lived in Bennington, Wyoming, NY at the time of the 1846 census.

From Ancestors and Decendants of Samuel French the Joiner of Stratford, Connecticut

53723 Sylvia Lovina French dau of Burton & Mary Ann (Fargo) French b. 11 Feb 1841 Bennington, Wyoming County NY; d 24 Jun 1933 Litchfield, MI; m 22 Feb 1866, Bennington, NY John Jonston Wade b 8 Jul 1839 Lysander, Onondaga County, NY; d 18 Apr 1914 Litchfield. MI; res Bennington, Wyoming County, NY; Litchfield, MI children: Frank L Wade, Ina Wade, Ella Florilla Wade, Fred Burton Wade

From the Portrait & Biographical Album of Hillsdale County Michigan Chicago : Chapman Brothers, 1888, p.751.

John J. Wade is a prominent man in his community on account of his ability, and the fine property of which he is owner, and which occupies a portion of section 16, in Litchfield Twp. As a farmer he is thorough and skillfil, and as a business man, prompt and reliable. These qualities have led to his success and have placed him in an enviable position with his fellow citizens.

Our subject is of Irish ancestry, his parents, William and Margaret (Jeffreys) Wade, having been born in County Down, Ireland, whence they emigrated early in life, after their marriage. The father was reared to agricultural pursuits and lived in Ireland until 1836, when he was 24 years old, and then decided to seek his fortune in the New World. He located first in Lysander, Onondaga Co., NY, where he worked by the month, and saving his earnings, accumulated some property. After eight years in the Empire State he made his way to Southern Michigan, and coming to this county, purchased 15 acres of land near David Young's Corners.

Upon landing in this county, Mr. Wade had upon his hands a young family and cash capital of $1.00. He went in debt for his 15 acre farm which was then an uncultivated tract of land, and upon which he labored with perservering industry for many years, and in due time received the reward of his toil and sacrifices. He became finally the owner of 105 acres which he improved with comfortable buildings, and here his death took place, in 1865, when he was 53 years old. The mother is still living and makes her home with her youngest son, William, in Litchfield Twp. and is now aged 76 years. Their family included two sons and six daughters, all living and of whom John was the third born in order of birth and the eldest son. He was born in Lysander Twp., Onondaga Co., NY, July 8, 1838.

Our subject was a little boy of five years when he came to this State with his parents, and at an early age was taught to make himself useful around the homestead while he acquired his education in the district school. He continued under the parental roof until the fall of 1859 when he started, via New York, to California on board the steamer "Uncle Sam". Upon reaching San Francisco he made his way up the Sac Valley to Placerville where he engaged first in surface mining, and subsequently worked in the Comstock Silver Mines in Nevada. He remained in that region six years and returned east in the same manner, having with him a snug sum of money as the result of his experiment.

Mr. Wade, in 1865, came home to stay, having received news of his father's death. He purchased 50 acres of the farm which he now owns, and on the 22nd of Feb., 1866, was married to Miss Sylvia French, who was born in Wyoming Co., NY, Feb. 11, 1841, and was the third child of Burton and Mary (Fargo) French, the father a native of Dorsey, near Bennington, VT, and the mother of Wyoming Co. Burton French was a farmer by occupation and still lives in Wyoming Co., being now 71 years old. The mother died in 1882 at the age of 63. Their seven children included six sons and one daughter, one of whom died in infancy.

Mrs. Wade was 24 years of age when she came to this State. She had received a good education, having been a student of Alexander Seminary in Genesee Co., NY, and subsequently engaged in teaching in Wyoming Co. Of her uinon with our subject there were born four children, of whom Frank died in 1875 when six and one-half years old, and Ina, born 1872, died in infancy. Ella and Frederick are attending school in their home district. Mrs Wade visited her old home in Wyoming Co. in 1875 accompanied by her children Ella and Frank. The children were seized with scarlet fever and Frank died there after an illness of one week.

A brother of Mrs. Wade, Palmer French, served as a soldier in the late Civil War, enlisting in a NY regiment, and gave two years of his time to his country. He was permitted to return home in safety and is now a resident of Minneota, MN. In 1860, while in Nevada, Mr. Wade was one of the volunteers who banded together to defend the frontier against the Paiute Indians, who were plundering and murdering the white settlers. The first company of 100 men was nearly all massacred by the savages, only 15 escaping. Mr. Wade belonged to the second company, and the affair was subsequently peaceably settled with Chief Winnemuk, and depredations for the time were suspended.

The Wade homestead comprises 140 acres of improved land with a very handsome, modern dwelling and a substantial barn, 56 X 78 feet in area, and admirably adapted to the shelter of stock, in which industry Mr. Wade takes much interest. He has little to do with political affairs but votes the Republican ticket and has served as School Director and Drain Commissioner. Mrs Wade, a very estimable lady, is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.

1. ↑ Researcher.

   Bill French, David V. Philo, Elaine Tillquist Pavone (birth)