James H. France
Biography
Contributed by Annette Campbell



 
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.
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