Jonas H. French | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMassachusetts Senate from the Third Essex District | |
| In office 1879–1880 | |
| Preceded by | Allan Rogers |
| Succeeded by | Francis Norwood |
| Mayor of New Orleans | |
Acting | |
| In office August 6, 1862 – August 20, 1862 | |
| Preceded by | Godfrey Weitzel |
| Succeeded by | Godfrey Weitzel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1829-11-04)November 4, 1829 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 1903(1903-02-22) (aged 73) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Fannie Elizabeth Thompson (died 1882) |
Jonas Harrod French (November 4, 1829– February 22, 1903) was an American army officer who participated in the Union occupation ofNew Orleans during theAmerican Civil War. After the war, he founded the Cape Ann Granite Company and was a leader in theMassachusetts Democratic Party.
French was born on November 4, 1829 inBoston.[1] He was educated in theBoston Public Schools and graduated fromThe English High School in 1845. After graduating, he enlisted in the City Guards and quickly rose to the rank of captain. He served on the military staff of Massachusetts GovernorHenry Gardner. In 1861, he became commander of theAncient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.[2]
He married Fannie Elizabeth Thompson, and they had a son, Henry Gardner French.[3] Fannie died on April 3, 1882.[4]
In November 1861, French raised soldiers for the Eastern Bay State regiment, later known as the30th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, atCamp Chase. In January 1862, he commanded a regiment that sailed from Boston toShip Island. Upon arriving, he was appointed senior aide-de-camp and inspector-general on the staff of GeneralBenjamin Butler. He was with Butler during theBattle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip andCapture of New Orleans.[2]
Upon occupying New Orleans, French was appointedprovost marshal.[2] He is cited as having the brief term of the 22nd mayor ofNew Orleans (August 6, 1862 – August 20, 1862) as he was acting military mayor whileGodfrey Weitzel was called to Baton Rouge on official business. The personnel remained the same as under Godfrey Weitzel's administration. After Weitzel completed his term, he was succeeded byHenry C. Deming.[5] He served under Butler's successor,Nathaniel P. Banks, for some time before resigning and returning to Massachusetts.[2]
French was a member of theBoston City Council in 1853, 1855, and 1856.[1] He represented the 3rd Essex district in theMassachusetts Senate during the1879 and1880 Massachusetts legislatures.[6][7] From 1880 to 1884, he was the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.[8] He was a delegate to the1880 and1888 Democratic National Conventions.[1] He was the Democratic nominee inMassachusetts's 7th congressional district in1886 and1890, but lost both times to RepublicanWilliam Cogswell.[9][10]
French began his business career as a grocer, but later became a distiller.[1] In 1869, he organized the Cape Ann Granite Company inGloucester, Massachusetts.[2] The business provided granite for theUnited States Post Office and Sub-Treasury Building, the base of theEquestrian statue of Winfield Scott inWashington, D.C., and the spandrel walls of theBrooklyn Bridge.[1]
French was a director of theEastern,New York and New England, andMaine Central Railroads, and president of the Louisville, Evansville, & St. Louis Railroad and Cape Ann Railway.[1][11][12] He was a leading proponent of the Eastern's lease to theBoston and Maine Railroad.[13][14]
In 1873, French was elected a directorMaverick National Bank.[1] The bank failed in 1891 and French was charged with embezzlement.[15] The indictment wasnol prosed by U.S. AttorneySherman Hoar in 1893 following the acquittal of bank president Asa P. Potter.[16]
French died suddenly on February 22, 1903 at his winter home inRoxbury.[1]