Person:Washington French (1)

Washington French left his childhood home about 1850 to seek his fortune in the West. He found his way to California and Oregon, but later settled in Prescott, Arizona. He married Barsina Rogers in 1873 and was the father of one son, who died in infancy, and three daughters.

Notes on the Name

Known as "Wash" French.

Newspaper Articles

Obituary from Journal - Miner (Prescott, Arizona) 6 Aug 1910:

WASH FRENCH IS CALLED BY DEATH

Honored Pioneer Dies After Series Of Accidents

Filled Many Positions Of Responsibility With Credit

Death has again invaded the thinned ranks of the Hassayampa colony, and yesterday morning, about 3 o'clock Washington French was summoned across the Great Divide. His end came from old age, and was hastened through a series of unfortunate accidents that befell him during the last ten years. He was gored by a steer several years ago, and painfully injured, the shock undermining his once vigorous constitution. Last January, another affliction overtook him, when he was precipitated from a building at the brick plant, suffering severely from the fall. Since that time he has suffered much. His last injury caused the fatal illness.

The death of Mr. French removes another one of the Argonauts of the Pacific coast, and one of those builders of the early days in Arizona that time is rapidly effacing from among us. He came to Prescott when it was a mere cabin town, in 1867, and from the date of his arrival remained constantly in the county. In many ways he was a progressive and useful citizen. In the early days he assisted in the creation of mercantile establishments here, and was associated with many notable mining enterprises in this field.

The deceased was one of a large party that left the Missouri river in 1851, bound for the Pacific coast. Early the following year he reached Oregon. After residing in that state for nearly ten years, he drifted down the Pacific slope, and hearing of the creation of Arizona as a Territory, and the wonderful resources of the land in commercial possibilities, gold mining and other attractive industrial pursuits, he reached San Bernardino, then the gateway to this country, where he met James and John Baker, at the head of a caravan, who were bound for the little hamlet of Prescott. This was in 1867, and from that day to the present time, the deceased has remained steadfastly anchored to the country.

In his early residence in this section, Mr. French figured in commercial life, and for several years was in charge of the mercantile house of Cook & Bowers, located on Gurley Street, opposite the office of the Journal-Miner, in an adobe building. Afterward he entered mining, one of his distinctive ventures being the "grub staking" of Sandy Hammond and Dud Moreland, who were then prospecting in the Bradshaws. Through this investment the discovery of the famous Tiger mine was made in 1871. This started the first quartz mining excitement in Arizona, and from his association with that bonanza, he received but a pittance of the wealth produced. Later he made the first location on the south extension of that claim, from which he secured a comfortable fortune.

During his long life the deceased filled many prominent offices of trust and responsibility. In Oregon he was sheriff of Jackson county four years. After his arrival in this Territory he was deputy treasurer of this county under E. J. Cook two years, and later a deputy United States marshal under W. K. Meade two years.

He was an industrious and upright citizen, and through these attributes was well known and highly respected. He was a native of Indiana. He was born in April, 1831, being 79 years old at the time of his death.

He married in this city the daughter of the late S. C. Rogers, who is residing in Los Angeles. He leaves three daughters, Mrs. Mary Huston and Stella Jacobs, residents of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Margaret French Boltz, at whose home in this city he passed away.

He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his body will be laid away this afternoon at 2 o'clock, in that cemetery. The pallbearers selected are E. A. Rogers, P. C. Wilder, E. W. Wells, W. I. Linn, Robert Connell and J. N. Rodenburg.

Rev. Jenkins of the Episcopal church will conduct the obsequies. Lester Ruffner will be funeral director.

About Sources

Washington French's death certificate (available online at the State of Arizona website) confirms that "Elizabeth Stearman" is his mother.