From Former Sons and Daughters of

Charles French, born August 8, 1865, was the son of John Newton and Sarah Ann (nee Mackril) French. He married Eva M. Bunn, daughter of John Hazard and Mary (nee Sumner) Bunn on December 19, 1885. They had one son listed on the 1910 census, Ira L. French (b. Oct. 1886).

In his 1915 letter to the Press, Charles N. French states that he went to Chicago 25 years ago, graduated from Kent College of Law and Chicago Law School, and has an office at 39 South LaSalle St. Ira Lyon their only child was educated at the Arts Institute and is now married and a designer of chandeliers and other light fixtures, furniture and art glass windows.

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In 1918 her ‘ Pink Letter’ added the following information:

January 24, 1918

My sister, Ethel, came to Colorado more than four years ago and up until last July she and I worked in the same office. She enjoys the best of health here and in order to assist her all I could in utilizing the overflow of energy with which she seems to be troubled, I always let her do all the work, in that way showing that I had her interest at heart. You will all agree that it was kind of me! It was also a matter of self-defense, as otherwise all her surplus energy might have been directed against me. She is quite taken with a broad shouldered rancher near Colorado Springs and I presume she will be looking after his needs someday, also after those of his cows and pigs and chickens. I shouldn't write this, only I know it will come to her eye and then I have no doubt it will be necessary for me to go up into the mountains in hiding for a while.

January 25, 1916

To the Sumner Press:

Having received your invitation to write something concerning myself for your non-resident addition, I will say I was born in south Lukin Township, am a son of John Newton French, have resided in Chicago 26 years where at LaSalle Street, I have an office for the practice of law, lead quite a busy life, quite devoid of interest to your readers, and that I am always pleased to meet residents and former residents of Sumner and vicinity who come to this city.

Charles N. French

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Colorado Springs, Colorado

January 18, 1916

To the readers of the Pink Press

It has been several years since I can left Lawrence County and home to fill my own little nook in the world. As many of those who read this know, I was born about four miles south of Sumner, the fourth child of James and Mary J. French and my youthful days were all spent in the neighborhood of my birth. But a brief account of the more important moves I have made since leaving Lawrence County, may be of interest to a few of you.

Finding that teaching, as teaching goes in the rural districts, did not appeal to me, neither did the wages. I went to Valparaiso, Indiana, in April, 1907, and spent the spring and summer in school there, and in the autumn of that year I entered the services of the Wabash Ry. Co. as telegraph operator and clerk. My services for this company made frequent moves necessary and took me into a good many towns along their line between Chicago and Detroit. Of course I came into contact with a good many kinds of people and learned a great deal that I had never known before about human nature and there life began to lose some of its romantic aspect and take on the look of something sternly real. I lived in a good many homes changing about and I think the observations I had a chance to make in this way constitute one strong reason why I am still a bachelor girl. However, I do not want this to discourage anyone feeling matrimonially inclined.

In 1909 my health broke down and I left the Wabash in the fall, to spend the winter at home. In February, 1910, on the advice of physicians, I came to Colorado going first to Canon City. I was practically a stranger among strangers. The Dr. William Friend and family, and Orin Harper and family, both formerly of Sumner, were living in Canon city at that time, and I have always appreciated their kindness and welcome to me. It means much when one is a 1000 miles or more from home, in poor health and nearly every face is a strange one. I soon entered the service of the Santa Fe Railway Company as operator, and as the work has usually been easy, I have been able to stay with it for which I am very grateful.

I have made a number of changes here, but wherever I have gone I have found it easy to make friends, and while I do not wish to convince you that this is paradise, for it is not, I must say that I like the west and I like the western people very much. I find the people, as a rule, very broad-minded, intelligent, unselfish and full of the joy of living. I should like to say a few words about the wonderful scenery here, but I believe we are forbidden to do that. So I'll just say "Come and see for yourself and get a good Western welcome."

To all my friends in Lawrence County and elsewhere, who read this, I extend a hand of sincere greeting.

Very sincerely,

Ida French

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Dexter, Missouri

January 11, 1916

Editor Press:

I moved from Petty Township, Lawrence County near Sumner, Illinois, the fall of 1900. My wife was formerly Elizabeth Perkins, the daughter of William Perkins.

We bid adieu to friends and relatives October 13 and set out with wagon and team for Stoddard County, Missouri landing here the 21st of October, nine miles south of Dexter and three miles northwest of Bernie, found the country comparatively new, only 5 to 20 acres in cultivation per 40, and needing draining badly. I had the pleasure of aiding the establishment of the first dredge ditch in Stoddard County. We now have a well drained and beautiful farming country, with plenty of the best of drinking water, good roads, Rural Free Delivery and phone lines netting the country.

Our health has been excellent during the 15 years we have lived here. Our family consists of one boy and two girls. As I write these few lines my mind is carried back to the country in and around old Sumner, where I was born, and am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to them through the columns of the Press, which I have been a constant reader of for eight years.

Ezekiel Gowin

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Norris City, Illinois

January 23, 1916

Editor Press:

As I did not take up any space in the Pink Press last year I will let the people and friends of Lawrence County know I am still among the living which they will remember me as being Frances E. Haines, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Haines. I was born southeast of Chauncey, Lawrence County where I lived until the spring of 1909 when I was married to Mr. Frank Gray of Boonville, Indiana and with him moved to Norris City, White County, Illinois. We have been blessed with two dear little children being born in our home, Beulah May age six years and James Benjamin who will be five in the commencing spring.

Since leaving here we have worked and planned and got us a nice little home paid for. We like our home and neighbors very much. As we have been readers of the Sumner Press ever since leaving here and enjoyed the Pink Press last year, we will try and fill a space this year.

Respectfully yours,

Mrs. Frank Gray

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(continued from 1918 letter)

But I need a vacation, anyway. Last July I came to Pueblo, where I work in the union depot office of the A. T. & S. F. and the C. & S. Rys. I work with three train dispatchers and occasionally they make it very interesting for me by all trying to use me at once, to say nothing of other demands upon my attention. But fortunately, this is not the case at all times. I have lots of leisure time on my hours of duty as a rule. Both Ethel and I like our work very much.

Though she and I are about 38 miles apart, we see each other often. The lower altitude of Pueblo seems to be better for my health than was the altitude of Colorado Springs. I think I am as happy as most mortals. I have lots to be thankful for and I count my blessings often. It helps wonderfully. Try it.”