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Susan E. (Moon)French |
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Mrs. Susan E. French, widow of Dr. V. P. French, resident on section 17, Big Prairie, was born in Trenton, Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 31, 1815. Her father, James Moon, was born about the year 1784, in the state of New York, and died in 1869, in Ionia Co., MI. he was of English lineage and served in the War of 1812. Her mother, Susannah (Pool) Moon, was also born in the Green Mountain State, of Welch parentage, about 1796, and died in Ionia Co., MI in 1871. They came to Jackson Co., MI in 1832, where they remained until 1837, and removed to Ionia Co., MI.
Dr. V. P. French was born in Hamlin, N. Y., near Braddock Bay, Nov. 8, 1812. His parents, Richard and Hannah (Nichols) French, were of English ancestry and both died in Michigan about the year 1853. Dr. French and Susan E. Moon were married Dec. 12, 1835, in the city of Jackson. Following is the record of the children born to them: Emily, born Sept. 21, 1836 (died Oct. 8, 1840); Pembroke R., Nov. 24, 1837; Hannah, Sept. 8, 1838 (died Oct. 8, 1840); Henry B., Sept. 12, 1842 (died Oct. 22, 1843); Alma E., July 13, 1844, is now Mrs. Edwin W. Barnes.
Dr. French removed in 1839 to Lenawee County, and went thence in 18?? to Otisco, Ionia County,where the family resided until 1852, when they came to Big Prairie and settled on Section 17, on a farm of 40 acres. After a residence there of five years, Dr. French sold his farm and bought the place on which his family now resides, lying on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 17. On the sale of the farm they removed to Byron, Kent County, and went a year later to Otisco. They resided there two years and returned to Big Prairie, where the Doctor bought the same 40 acres, and 80 acres additional. Of this property 16 acres have been sold and 20 acres of the remainder are under cultivation.
Dr. French served his township eight years as Justice of the Peace, and was Postmaster of Big Prairie ten years. He became well and widely know in his practice in the county and township, and since his death, Dec. 12, 1877, his widow has sustained his business. Mrs. French belongs to the denomination known as Second-Adventists.
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