Person:Humphrey French (1)

Migration Pattern

Humphrey French was born to a pioneering family and continued that tradition. He was born in Kentucky, but moved with his parents to early Indiana settlements as a young boy. Several sources report that the young family narrowly escaped a deadly attack because his parents befriended a Native American who warned them of the threat. Humphrey later moved to Stephenson County, Illinois as that area began to be settled. After the Civil War he and his grown children migrated to Iowa and then to York County, Nebraska.

Newspaper Articles

H. S. French death notice, York Republican (York, Nebraska) 8 April 1891:

 It is with sorrow we announce the death of H. S. French, father of Mrs. N. M. Ferguson. He died at Bradshaw last week.

Humphrey S. French obituary, York Republican (York, Nebraska) 15 Apr 1891:

 Humphrey S. French was born in Mercer County Kentucky, July 1st 1805.  Died at his home in Bradshaw, Nebraska, April 7th 1891.  At an early age he came with his parents to Knox County, Indiana, the then western frontier, where they suffered many privations and danger from the Indians, only escaping massacre by the warning given his mother by an Indian to whom she had been kind. Here he grew to manhood.  February 10th, 1830, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Browning.  To them were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living.  In 1832 he enlisted for the Black Hawk war in Colonel Haskin's regiment.  He lived several years near Danville, Ill. In 1838 he moved with his family to Stephenson County, Ill., and again passed through all the hardships of pioneer life.  His faithful wife, mother of his children, died April 10th, 1861.  Feb.  19th, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Deborah Linsley.  In the spring of the same year he removed to Jackson County, Iowa, where he resided until September 10th, 1870, when he came to York County, where he has since resided. He was the oldest of eleven children, five of whom are still living.  The eldest brother, Henry F. French, is a resident of York.  They, with his patient wife, loving children and grandchildren are left to mourn. His sufferings have been long and severe, but very patiently borne. He has long been "only waiting." The funeral was held in the M. E. church, Rev. S. E. Lloyd preached from Revelations 14: 13. A kind neighbor, an affectionate husband and an indulgent father "hath entered into rest."