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REUBEN LOWELL FRENCH.7,(SAMUEL FRENCH III.6, SAMUEL FRENCH Jr.5, SAMUEL FRENCH Sr.4, HENRY FRENCH.3, SAMUEL FRENCH.2, EDWARD FRENCH.1) born 19 April 1818 Loudon, Merrimack county New Hampshire died 14 December 1896 Pittsfield, Merrimack County New Hampshire, buried Floral Park cemetery, Pittsfield New Hampshire married MARY JANE NUTTER 15 August 1844, Loudon, Merrimack county New Hampshire, born 16 August 1827,Barnstead New Hampshire, daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza B. (BICKFORD) NUTTER
REUBEN LOWELL FRENCH (SUSANNA "SUKEY" TILTON.6, JOSEPH TILTON.5, TIMOTHY TILTON.4, JOSEPH TILTON.3, DANIEL TILTON.2, WILLIAM TILTON.1)
Source; 1850 Census, September 21, Pittsfield, Merrimack county New Hampshire, family 1201455
TILTON, Nathan C.age 31, born New Hampshire, farmer
TILTON, Sarah M. age 23 born New Hampshire
TILTON, Helen M. age 1, born New Hampshire
Source; 1850 Census, September 21, Pittsfield, Merrimack county New Hampshire, family 1211656
FRENCH, Reuben L. age 32, born New Hampshire, Merchant
FRENCH, Mary J. age 23, born New Hampshrie
FRENCH, Laura C. age 4, born New Hampshire
FRENCH, Helen L. age 2, born New Hampshire
Source; 1860 Census, June 27, Pittsfield, page 72,Merrimack county New Hampshire family 603590
FRENCH, Reuben L. age 42, 5500-5500, born New Hampshire family 603590
FRENCH, Mary J. age 32, born New Hampshire
FRENCH, Laura C. age 14, born New Hampshire
Prescott, Sarah age 16 born New Hampshire, Domestic
Source; 1870 Census June 16, Pittsfield, Merrimack county New Hampshire family 153190
NUTTER, Nathaniel age 74, 2000-400, born New Hampshire, House Carpenter
NUTTER, Eliza age 63 born New Hampshire, keeping house
Source; 1870 Census June 16, Pittsfield, Merrimack county New Hampshire family 154192
FRENCH, Reuben L. age 52, born New Hampshire, Retired Merchant
FRENCH, Mary J. age 42, born New Hampshire,keeping house
FRENCH, Susan G. age 9, born New Hampshire
FRENCH, Annie E. age 3, born New Hampshire
Source; 1880 Census, June 22, page 29, Sup. 82, Enum. 190,Pittsfield, Merrimack County New Hampshire family 22301
FRENCH, Reuben L. age 62 born New Hampshire, Parents born New Hampshire, Retired Merchant
FRENCH, Mary J. Wife, age 52, born New Hmpshire, Father born New Hmpshire, Mother born Mass.
FRENCH, Susie G. age 19, daughter born New Hampshire
FRENCH, Annie E. age 13, daughter born New Hampshire
Source; Genealogical and Family History of New Hampshire, Compiled under theEditorial Supervison of Ezra S.Stearn, Volume IV. The Lewis Publishing Company 1908, page 1802-1803
Reuben Lowell French, third son and Seventh child of Samuel and Susanna (Tilton) French was bornin Loudon April 9,1818. He received his education in thepublic schools. At age of eighteen he became a clerk in the country stoe of his brother Hiram French in Gilamnton, bu tsoon followed his brother to the Water Street store in Pittsfiled. Soon afterwards in company with James Munroe Tenney, an early playmate, later will known as a brilliant and prominent merchant of Boston, he purchased the store of his brother Hiram and soon after being sole owner of the lucrative business, continuing therein nearly forty years. During this time he won the reputation of being an unostentatious and upright man, honest in all his dealings. His word was never broken nor honor tranished.
In public affairs he proved himself an able and useful citizen, was prominently connected with banks, a leading trustee of Pittsfield Academy, and for many years its treasurer. He was the main mover and persistent promoter of the Suncook Valley railroad, the water works, and shoe manufactory. He was also the leading spirit in the laying out of the Floral Park Cemetery, and a large owner. Though aspiring to no political office, he was honored by his party to an election to thestate senate. He was a warm and sincere advocate of temperance, good order and sobriety, and heartily identified himself with every movement looking to the best welfare and greater prosperity of the community and town.
In early manhood he publically confessed his faith in Christ and united with the Congregational Church in 1843. He continued a devout and active member through life. He was chosen to positions of responsibility in the Church, was elected Deacon in 1855, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday School. He was also treasurer of the Society. When his old Church Home was burned on the morning of February 14,1870, he was the first one moving for its rebuilding, and generously gave one thousand dollars in aid. The old Bell in the tower was a precious gift, and from its melted metal he had a new bell cast, and donated it to the Society.
At his death which occured December 14, 1896. the village and town last a true christian friend, and the family a loving father. As a mark of respect during the funeral service, in with Rev. Samuel Bell officiated, all places of business were closed. Special music was rendered by a local quartet, and his remains were laid at rest in Flora Park Cemetery.
Mr. French was married, August 15,1844, to Mary Jane, daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza B. (Bickford) Nutter,. She was born in Barnstead, August 16,1827, and the granddaughter of Deacon Ebenezer Nutter of Revolutionary Fame. and one of the early settlers of Barnstead. Mrs French and her elder sister Eliza who became later
the wife of Andrew Bunker, of Concord, were in 1840, students in the old academy. After her marriage to Mr. French they lived in the house now owned by Charles S. french. Later the house was bought and remodeled, and became their home for over fifty years. It is now occupied by their daughter, the wife of Clarence Edwin Berry, grandson of the pioneer John Berry. The house was built for comfort and is sufficiently elevated in the center of the village to command a beautiful and picturesque landscape.
Mrs. French united with the Congregational Church in 1840, dueing th epastorate of Rev. Jonathan Curtis, and as long as able like her husband was a faithful and active worker. For forty years she sang in the choir was a faithful and sucessful teacher of a class of boys in the Sunday School, as those now living will testify, and an efficient director of the Ladies Aid Society, connected with the Church. After the death of her husband she as an invalid, unable to leave her home or converse with her friends, bot bore all with the Christian resignation and was ready when the summons came to go up higher! Her death occured November 2, 1903.
Mrs. French was the mother of five daughters, namely: Laura Celestia, Helen Lowell, Mary Nutter, Susan Gates, and Annie Eliza. the first became wife of George B. Smith, of South Hadley Massachusetts. She was well educated, the possessor of fine musical talents, and a popular school teacher. She died at Alantic Massachusetts, leaving one daughter, Catherine Smith, now the wife of Frank H. Hobbs. of Baye, New Jersey.
The second and third died when small children. Susan Gates became wife of Clarence E. Berry, of Pittsfileld. Annie Eliza, the youngest was born February 24,1807. Her Preliminary studies were pursued in public schools of Pittsfield, and the academny under the instruction of professor D. K. Foster. Aftrerward she entered Abbott Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, for two years course, but was oblidged to leave before its completion on account of ill health. After regaining her health she attended the school of Expression in Boston to prepare herself for public reader and instructor in elocution, from which she graduated with much distinction. Her fine personal appearance won her many friends as a public reader.
Among the places where she gave public readings before a large and cultivated audiences were Tremont Temple, Steinert and Music Halls, Boston, and many of the principal cities of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She taught elocution for several years in Boston and vicinity, and for one year at a prominent female college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She spent several months abroad in 1892. In early life she united with the Congregational Church, then under the pastorate of Rev. George E. Hill . She was a member of the order of
the Daughters of the Revolution, and daughters of New Hampshire, and an active and potent factor in promotion of both. She was also a member of the Abbott-Club. devoting herself so closely to its interests as to cause failure of health. April 23, 1892, she was united in marriage to Captain George E. Mahoney, of Boston at the parental home in Pittsfield. Her married life was short she died childless. October 26,1897
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Samuel Bell of Deerfield, assisted by Rev. George E, Lovejoy,pastor of the church. a select quartet furnishing appropriate music.
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