James H. France was born in OTSEGO county, NY on October 13, 1826, son of David H. 
and Eliza (Farquharson) France, he a native of Schoharie county and she of 
Cherry Valley, Otsego county, NY. The grandfather, Henry France, was captured by 
the Indians in Tryon county, NY, with his brother, John, who was killed, while 
Henry escaped; their father, Sebastian France, was a native of Germany, and one 
of the first settlers of Tryon county, where he died. David H., father of James 
H., went to Otsego county and then to Herkimer county, and in 1856 came to the 
town of Jasper (Steuben county-AC) and settled on the farm now owned by his son, 
where he lived until his death, which occurred October 26, 1883, while with his 
daughter in Canisteo. He was a local Methodist-Episcopal preacher. His wife died 
in 1845. James H. was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, 
after which he engaged in farming, and in 1861 moved on to farm of 140 acres he 
now owns, and follows general farming. He is a member of the Jasper Grange. 
October 15, 1846, he married Charity Valkenburgh of Cherry Valley, Otsego 
county, NY, by whom he had six children: David, deceased; Willard, deceased; 
Abigail, deceased; Maggie, deceased; Jacob, deceased. Mrs. France died on March 
20, 1866, and July 4, 1866, he married Lovina, daughter of George R. June, who 
settled in Jasper in 1832, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. France have three 
children: George R. of Belmont (Allegany county, NY-AC); Charles W., who was 
educated in Cook's Academy, Canisteo Academy, and Bryant & Stratton's Business 
College of Buffalo, and is now a farmer at home; In 1890 he married Bertha Lent 
of Jasper, NY; and Jason H., who was educated in the common schools, and is at home.

From "Landmarks of Steuben County" by Hon. Harlo Hakes 1896. 
Migration Biographies Index


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