Los
Angeles County
Biographies
WILLARD W.
FRENCH
A resident of the Golden state for
fifteen years, Willard W. French enjoyed the evening of his life to the full
and was deeply interested in the growth and development of Los Angeles. He was born in Michigan, February 20, 1858, a
son of Joseph W. and Jane French, both natives of Connecticut. The father was a paper manufacturer and was
one of the founders of the first paper mill in Michigan, serving as president
of the company. He was also one of the
organizers of the first bank in Three Rivers, Michigan. After he had completed his education, W. W.
French entered the business of his father and was active in its conduct until
he retired and came to California to live.
He played a prominent part in politics at Three Rivers and served as
mayor several terms. Two brothers were
also interested in the paper business.
Willard W. French was married twice,
his second union taking place on October 30, 1920, when he married Mrs. Frances
(Pierson) Brumbaugh in San Diego, California. She is a daughter of William and Mary
(Chandler) Pierson, natives of Michigan and New York, respectively. Mr. Pierson was interested in the paper
manufacturing business with the father of Mr. French for some time and was also
interested in the banking business. He
was of an inventive turn of mind and had to his credit several inventions of
merit. After he retired from business he
came to California to live. In 1933 he
celebrated his ninetieth birthday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. French, is
Los Angeles. Mr. Pierson died August 6,
1933, and Mrs. Pierson died in 1926.
Mrs. French is prominent in music
circles of southern California and conducts a conservatory in Los Angeles, with
branches in Glendale and Pasadena. Prior
to her coming to California she conducted the Drexel Conservatory of Music and
Expression in Chicago. She is deeply
interested in the cultural life of southern California and has a host of
friends here. Mr. French was a member of
the Baptist Church, the Knights of Pythias and the Jonathan Club in Los
Angeles, and was highly esteemed by all who came in contact. He died May 2, 1933, in Los Angeles.
Transcribed
by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South Vol.
IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 703-704,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V.
Gerald Iaquinta.
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