Joseph Edward French
June 24, 1866-January 9, 1931
J. Edward French, Head of Paper co. is taken by Death
One of Niles Leading Citizen Dies this morning at Battle Creek.
Was son of Pioneer.
Had large part in development of business started here in 1872.
Joseph Edward French 66, former mayor of Niles, and president of the French Paper company of Niles, died at 5 o’clock this morning in the Battle Creek sanitarium, where he had been a patient nearly three weeks. His death removes one of the most widely known and prominent figures from the Niles business and industrial field. The company of which he was head has operated since 1872 when it was founded as a wood pulp manufacturing concern, and later converted into a paper manufacturing company.
The body was brought here this morning from Battle Creek and funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the home at 503 E. Main Street. The services will be conducted by the Rev. B.J. Bowman, of South Bend.The deceased was born in Three Rivers on June 24, 1866, the third and youngest son of the late Joseph W. French who came to Three Rivers from Connecticut in 1854 and launched the family which has been prominently identified with southwestern Michigan history.
Joseph Edward French was married at Three River in 1884 to Miss Jenny Grout of that City. They moved to Niles in 1889 and have resided her ever since. During all their residence here they have been socially prominent. As a young man Mr. French attended the Orchard Lake Military. Academy, one of the most exclusive academic institutions of earlier days. He was obliged to give up his academia pursuits in his early years owing to trouble with his eyes. After that he went for a time to Marinette, Wis., to accept a position on the staff of a paper mill in which his father was financially interested.
Edward French was mayor of Niles in 1894 and in the late nineties he was a member of the city school board. He took an active part in the community’s civic life. He was a member of the Niles lodge of Elks and also was an active mason being a member of the St. Joseph Valley blue lodge No. 4 F. & A.M. and the Chapter Commendery and Shrine.
He had been in poor health for the last six and a half years. Two weeks ago last Saturday he was stricken with another attack of indigestion and stomach trouble, his chief complaint and was taken to the Battle Creek institution for treatment where he had been a patient on several occasion. Even last Saturday it was thought by attendants that he was thought by attendants that he was recovering and that the trouble was well in hand, where he suffered a heart attack, and this was the immediate cause of his death. Between last Saturday and this morning six blood transfusions were made in an effort to save his life.
Surviving besides the widow are a son, Frank G. French of Niles, secretary of the French Paper company; two brothers, Willard W. French of Los Angeles and Frank J. French of Niles, vice president of the French Paper company; two grandchildren, Joseph Edward French II, and Marilyn, son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. French and the following nephews and nieces, Willard S. French of Detroit, Joseph W. French of Chicago, Edward B. French of Ann Arbor, Mrs. W.J. Gardner of Niles, and Mrs. E. R. Brecher of Houston, Texas.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown