Levi B. French Biography


	This biography appears on pages 291-292 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				LEVI B. FRENCH.  

	Levi B. French, a Yankton attorney, member of the widely known 
law firm of French & Orvis, was born at Tekonsha, Michigan, October 24, 
1845. His father, Willis French, was a native of New York and became a 
Michigan pioneer farmer and stock-raiser, having removed to that state 
in 1839 - the year in which it was admitted to the Union. Upon the farm 
where he first settled he continued his residence to the time of his 
demise. He came of Holland descent. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Roxana Butler and they were the parents of seven children.  

	Levi B. French, the eldest of that family, was educated in the 
public schools of Michigan and in Hillsdale College, from which he was 
graduated in 1872 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He read law in the 
office of John B. Shipman at Coldwater, Michigan, having determined to 
make the practice of law his life work, and when he had sufficiently 
mastered the principles of jurisprudence to pass the required 
examination he was admitted to the bar at Centerville, Michigan, in 
1875. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching in the high school at 
Cassopolis, Michigan, in 1873-74. Mr. French entered upon the active 
work of his chosen profession in Constantine, Michigan, where he 
practiced for about four years, or until 1878. On the 19th of June, of 
that year, he arrived in Yankton, where he has remained continuously 
since. He has engaged in the general practice of law and is now 
accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. He was 
state's attorney of Yankton county for a number of years, and in 1879 
he was appointed by Governor Howard to the office of district attorney, 
which he filled for some time. He has likewise been connected with the 
work of framing the laws of the state, having been a member of the 
territorial legislature in 1881 and afterward a member of the state 
senate during its first two sessions, from 1889 until 1891. He gave 
careful consideration to every question that came up for settlement and 
cast the v. eight of his influence upon the side of justice, progress 
and civic betterment. He served in 1881 as a member of the city council 
of Yankton and for many years has been a member of the school board, 
the cause of education finding in him a stalwart supporter who has done 
effective work to further and improve the interests of the schools. His 
political allegiance has always been given the republican party.  

	On the 20th of August, 1879, Mr. French was united in marriage to 
Miss Jeanette L. Wells, a daughter of Franklin and Helen (Barry) Wells, 
of Constantine, Michigan, and a niece of Governor Barry of that state. 
Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of three children: Willis W.; Helen 
R., who is now the wife of Ernest Dowling, of Yankton; and Lucy H., at 
home.  

	In moments of leisure Mr. French enjoys shooting and fishing as a 
means of recreation from arduous professional cares and 
responsibilities. In Masonry ho has attained high rank in both the 
Scottish and York Rites, being a member of the commandery and 
consistory. He has filled many of the chairs, has been high priest of 
the chapter alla grand commander of the grand commandery of the 
territory of Dakota. The family attend the Congregational church and 
are connected with all those things which are of interest and benefit 
to the community. Mr. French is widely recognized as one of the state's 
prominent attorneys, his reputation being founded upon a thorough ,and 
comprehensive knowledge of the law and a high regard for the ethics and 
the dignity of the profession.