SCHLEY COUNTY, GA - BIOS  Hiram French

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This is a short biography on Hiram French, Captain of the
"Schley Guards." 

Hiram was born December 2, 1815 in Hampton, N.Y.   He came to
Georgia as a young man and his first business venture was in
Woodville, Greene County, GA as a clerk for Mr. Nathan Beeman.
In about the year 1845 he started a mercantile business of his
own in Bairdstown, Olgethorpe County, GA, where remained until
1848. From 1848-1852 he was a partner with Rev. David E. Butler
in the wholesale grocery business in Augustus, GA.  

While in Bairdstown, GA, he married Emiline Hurt daughter of
Joel Hurt of Maxeys, Olgethorpe County, GA on September 24,
1838.  To this marriage was born Ida and Henry D. French

Hiram had quite a political career.  He was a member of the
legislature from Olgethorpe County,   was the first clerk of
the superior court after Schley County was formed.   When
Ellaville was incorporated he was named as a commissioner.   He
was a member of the secession convention which took Georgia out
of the union and was elected Mayor of Americus several times.

When war was looming Hiram was elected Captain of Company B,
17th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry the Schley
Volunteers.    Robert Tondee was made First Lieutenant.
Hiram’s son Henry D. French was also in the unit and would die
during the war of disease.   In 1861 Ida French presented a
flag made by the woman of Schley County to the Schley
Volunteers on the eve of their departure to fight in the War
Between the States.   

The newspaper article written upon his death in Atlanta
describes Mr. French as “Captain French was a man of rather
fine personal appearance.  He was at the time of his death
about fifty-two years of age, weighed perhaps one hundred and
forty-five pounds, had rather a light grayish beard, and light
grayish hair.  His complexion is fair.”  It also says, “He
espoused warmly the “Lost Cause” and entering the confederate
army was made a captain for gallantry.  Mr. French was liked by
all who knew him.  He possessed many sterling honorable
qualities of head and heart”.   Captain French like all
Confederates lost heavily in the war.  He was an old time
friend of Colonel Jack Brown, who when the later was made
internal revenue collector for this district he tendered
Captain French a clerkship in his office”.

Hiram French died on September 17, 1875 in Atlanta, GA.  Cause
of death was suicide.  He had been a widower for close to two
years.  He was survived by his daughter Ida French Eason, wife
of Jack S. Eason.  His body was brought back to Ellaville for
burial.  There is a marker in the Ellaville City Cemetery, H.
B. French.  I believe this is Hiram’s son.  Hiram and Emiline
are buried in unmarked graves.  





 Tri Weekly Sumter Republican Sept. 24, 1875

 “History of Schley County” by Mrs. H. J. Williams