Person:George French (1)

Notes on the Name

The "S" in George S. French probably stands for "Sturman". His grandmother was Elizabeth Sturman.

Military Service

George S. French enlisted twice as a Union soldier in the Civil War. His war records describe him as being 6' 10" tall with dark hair and gray eyes. In later years he was a resident of the "soldier's home" located near Grand Island, Nebraska. The local newspaper described him as the "tallest old soldier" in Nebraska.

Marriages

Mary Barrett was George's second wife and the mother of his four children. His first wife was Lizzie Hoyt who married George in 1866 in Stephenson County, Illinois. Her fate has yet to be discovered. George also married a widow, Laura Greenfield, who is buried with her first husband in Grand Island, Nebraska. George's fourth wife was Emma Tapman, who wrote lovingly of George at the time of his death. Emma is buried in Grand Island at the Veteran's Cemetery. George is buried at the Plainfield Cemetery in Bradshaw, Nebraska with Mary.

Newspaper Articles

York Republican--quoting the Grand Island Independent, with addendum-- (York, Nebraska) 3 July 1895: The tallest old soldier in Nebraska makes his headquarters at the Home. His name is George French, formerly of the 37th Illinois Infantry. When he stretches himself out to his full height he measures in his stockings six feet, nine inches, but age and rheumatism have caused him to drop an inch or two in appearance. His elevation to a region of light air, he says, does not effect his generally good appetite and buoyant spirits. Mr. French was a resident of York County until he took up his head-quarters at the Soldiers Home.

Obituary from York Daily News-Times (York, Nebraska) 23 Dec 1911:

George French was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, December 8th, 1837. Died in Grand Island, November 21st, 1911. When 15 months old his parents moved to Stephenson County, the then frontier of Illinois. There he grew to manhood. He enlisted in 1861 in the 37th regiment of Illinois volunteers and went to the front. The first hard battle he was in was in Arkansas at Pea Ridge. There he acted as color bearer and in the midst of the thickest of the fight but was only slightly wounded. Soon after this while on duty he met a serious accident from the effects of which he never fully recovered. When the last call for troops was made early in 1865 he enlisted in the 147th regiment Illinois volunteers and served just one year. He returned to Illinois, February 9th, 1866.

In 1868 he was married to Mary Elizabeth Bernett [sic]. To them was born four children. They are Mrs. Addie Standing, Benedict, Neb.; Mrs. Pearl Thornton, Glenwood, Iowa; Howard and Norman, Benedict, Neb. Two brothers and a sister survive him. Mrs. N. M. Ferguson, York; Denvallton [sic] French, Napa, California, and Eugene French, Aurora, Neb.

His widow with numerous other relatives and friends mourn his loss.

He died trusting in the love, mercy and power of a risen Saviour.

Suitable services were held in the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island, Neb. also at the M. E. church in Bradshaw.