Bio:
Mary Dimis Dutcher was the sixth born child and daughter of seven children of John J. Dutcher and Dimis Sanford.
Mary married Henry Augustus French on Nov 8, 1859 in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. They were married one month shy of 56 years at the time of Henry's death in 1915.
Mary and Henry had five children between them of which four survived to adulthood. First born was John Franklin French born and died in 1863, second born was Henry Harrison "Harry" French born in 1867, third born was Phoebe Dimis French born in 1870, fourth born was Mary Vistula "Mattie" French born in 1873, and fifth born was Charles Freeman French born in 1875.
Addition to Bio:
Mary Dutcher began her life, born and raised in Greenwood, Steuben Co., New York. She met and married Henry French of Chenango Forks, Broome Co., New York. They were married in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. Here in Peoria, Illinois their first child John was born a little more then three years later, but only lived for a couple of months. Four years later their second child Henry was born in La Prairie Centre, Illinois. Three years later they went back to Greenwood, New York where Mary had her third child Phoebe. From there they go west to Prairie, Jasper Co., Iowa where they have their fourth child Mary just three years after their daughter Phoebe. Two years later, also in Prairie, they have their fifth child and last, another son name Charles. Sometime, years later, Mary and Henry relocate to the Sheephorn Valley in Colorado, north of of the Vale, Colorado area. This was wilderness at that time and they were some of the first pioneers to settle in that part of the state/country. Mary's husband passed away at the age of 79 there in Sheephorn, Colorado. Mary sometime later relocated and was making her home with her daughter Mary in Florence, Wisconsin. Mary died four months after her 94th birthday in Iowa while visiting other family members.
Updated 21 Aug 2012
I have a personal story to tell of Mary … This was one amazing lady. My family and I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area in Texas. Every year we would go to Twin Lakes and the Leadville area of Colorado on vacation. This one year on 2 July 2003 we went into Leadville to shop at the neat little stores as we normally do when we are there. We stopped at a favorite shop that we liked … an antique shop in what use to be the old Leadville Hardware Store. My spouse and daughter drifted toward the back of the shop while I never made it beyond the first little table of items not more then a few feet inside the front door. There sat a little oval frame of this lady that I could not resist picking up. Her spirit reached out and took hold of me and has yet to let go of me for she had a mission for me to pursue as I was soon to learn. On the back of the frame was tied a little label that said "Mrs. French died 95 yrs old" $13.50. Her photo and eyes stirred my interest as nothing ever before in my life. Every time I would sit her back down on the table I would pick her back up. Finally after what was 30-45 minutes standing there and not being able to move from that spot … only to stare at this lady and her eyes in the photo … I decided that I would purchase the picture. A friend of mine, Paul, whom I worked with in Dallas and his daughter were to meet me that evening back in Twin Lakes at the lodge there. Thru our genealogy research we had learned that we (Paul and I) were 5th cousins. I showed him the picture and told him I was going to find her family and return her.
I began to research to find out her story and soon learned her name was Mary Dimis (Dutcher) French. I had posted her photo on a website in Colorado asking if anyone knew who she might be or who could help me with identifying her. There was one name listed, John, with an email that said he was researching the French family so I sent an email and the photo along with it. It was only 2 weeks later after I had found her photo in that shop when I heard from John, a great great-grandson of Mary's. He identified her immediately but had never seen such a young picture of her. He had already done much research on their genealogy and so we began to work together long distant. The oval photo is the one I found in the antique store and the two of her with her husband Henry French standing in front of their log cabin in the Sheephorn and the one with them and two of their children, John provided for me. Note the second photo of Mary with her husband and two grown children. Her eyes are the same as in the oval photo of her that I found in the shop ... her eyes are reaching and drawing you in ... to tell you a story!
Mary has changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin in telling, but she has definitely played a part in helping to make me a better person. Her spirit is still with me leading me on and that small framed photo sits on my desk at home where my computer is as I work on mine and others genealogy. So far I have connected five people that I know to Mary including my best friend Paul at work who is also a fifth cousin to John in Colorado. Neither, Paul or I knew the path she would take us BOTH down over the next number of years and that he (Paul) would turn out to be family of Mary's! Over 9 years has passed and still her story continues on as she and her spirit guides me on. If you click on more photos there is a fourth photo that has a cluster of pictures that came from another member of Find A Grave and distant relative of Mary's after she read this memorial. We all love you Mary. I cannot wait for the day when I get to meet you in person when my work is done here on earth.
Mary's husband Henry is buried in the Sheephorn Cemetery in Colorado near where they lived in their cabin. I have set up the cemetery on Find A Grave along with a second Sheephorn cemetery and added all the internments of both cemeteries. Another member of Find A Grave who lives in Colorado, Kelly, was good enough to take all the grave marker photos and add them to each memorial. The work continues on.
Gigi M. Jackson
Editorial: (1931-1932)
Mrs. Mary French was given a surprise party at the Herbert residence on Norway Street last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being her ninety-fourth birthday anniversary. The afternoon was spent on a social way, refreshments served and Mrs. French was presented with a number of gifts. To our knowledge Mrs. French is the oldest living person in Florence County.
Obituary:
FRENCH, Mrs. Henry - Pioneer Sheephorn Lady Dies in Iowa.
Mrs. C. B. RUNDELL of Sheephorn recently received news of the death of her mother, Mrs. Henry FRENCH, January 10. Mrs. FRENCH was making her home with another daughter, Mrs. Mary YATES, at the time of her death.
Mrs. FRENCH, with her husband was one of the pioneers of the Sheephorn valley, and was about 96 years of age when death called her. She is survived by four children, the two daughters, Mrs. YATES and Mrs. RUNDELL; two sons, Chas. FRENCH, of Glenwood Springs, and Harry FRENCH, now supervisor of the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. For many years the latter was supervisor of the Holy Cross Forest with headquarters at Glenwood Springs.[20 Jan 1933, Eagle Valley Enterprise, p1]
Bio per contributor Gigi M. Jackson
Mary Dimis Dutcher was the sixth born child and daughter of seven children of John J. Dutcher and Dimis Sanford.
Mary married Henry Augustus French on Nov 8, 1859 in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. They were married one month shy of 56 years at the time of Henry's death in 1915.
Mary and Henry had five children between them of which four survived to adulthood. First born was John Franklin French born and died in 1863, second born was Henry Harrison "Harry" French born in 1867, third born was Phoebe Dimis French born in 1870, fourth born was Mary Vistula "Mattie" French born in 1873, and fifth born was Charles Freeman French born in 1875.
Addition to Bio:
Mary Dutcher began her life, born and raised in Greenwood, Steuben Co., New York. She met and married Henry French of Chenango Forks, Broome Co., New York. They were married in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. Here in Peoria, Illinois their first child John was born a little more then three years later, but only lived for a couple of months. Four years later their second child Henry was born in La Prairie Centre, Illinois. Three years later they went back to Greenwood, New York where Mary had her third child Phoebe. From there they go west to Prairie, Jasper Co., Iowa where they have their fourth child Mary just three years after their daughter Phoebe. Two years later, also in Prairie, they have their fifth child and last, another son name Charles. Sometime, years later, Mary and Henry relocate to the Sheephorn Valley in Colorado, north of of the Vale, Colorado area. This was wilderness at that time and they were some of the first pioneers to settle in that part of the state/country. Mary's husband passed away at the age of 79 there in Sheephorn, Colorado. Mary sometime later relocated and was making her home with her daughter Mary in Florence, Wisconsin. Mary died four months after her 94th birthday in Iowa while visiting other family members.
Updated 21 Aug 2012
I have a personal story to tell of Mary … This was one amazing lady. My family and I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area in Texas. Every year we would go to Twin Lakes and the Leadville area of Colorado on vacation. This one year on 2 July 2003 we went into Leadville to shop at the neat little stores as we normally do when we are there. We stopped at a favorite shop that we liked … an antique shop in what use to be the old Leadville Hardware Store. My spouse and daughter drifted toward the back of the shop while I never made it beyond the first little table of items not more then a few feet inside the front door. There sat a little oval frame of this lady that I could not resist picking up. Her spirit reached out and took hold of me and has yet to let go of me for she had a mission for me to pursue as I was soon to learn. On the back of the frame was tied a little label that said "Mrs. French died 95 yrs old" $13.50. Her photo and eyes stirred my interest as nothing ever before in my life. Every time I would sit her back down on the table I would pick her back up. Finally after what was 30-45 minutes standing there and not being able to move from that spot … only to stare at this lady and her eyes in the photo … I decided that I would purchase the picture. A friend of mine, Paul, whom I worked with in Dallas and his daughter were to meet me that evening back in Twin Lakes at the lodge there. Thru our genealogy research we had learned that we (Paul and I) were 5th cousins. I showed him the picture and told him I was going to find her family and return her.
I began to research to find out her story and soon learned her name was Mary Dimis (Dutcher) French. I had posted her photo on a website in Colorado asking if anyone knew who she might be or who could help me with identifying her. There was one name listed, John, with an email that said he was researching the French family so I sent an email and the photo along with it. It was only 2 weeks later after I had found her photo in that shop when I heard from John, a great great-grandson of Mary's. He identified her immediately but had never seen such a young picture of her. He had already done much research on their genealogy and so we began to work together long distant. The oval photo is the one I found in the antique store and the two of her with her husband Henry French standing in front of their log cabin in the Sheephorn and the one with them and two of their children, John provided for me. Note the second photo of Mary with her husband and two grown children. Her eyes are the same as in the oval photo of her that I found in the shop ... her eyes are reaching and drawing you in ... to tell you a story!
Mary has changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin in telling, but she has definitely played a part in helping to make me a better person. Her spirit is still with me leading me on and that small framed photo sits on my desk at home where my computer is as I work on mine and others genealogy. So far I have connected five people that I know to Mary including my best friend Paul at work who is also a fifth cousin to John in Colorado. Neither, Paul or I knew the path she would take us BOTH down over the next number of years and that he (Paul) would turn out to be family of Mary's! Over 9 years has passed and still her story continues on as she and her spirit guides me on. If you click on more photos there is a fourth photo that has a cluster of pictures that came from another member of Find A Grave and distant relative of Mary's after she read this memorial. We all love you Mary. I cannot wait for the day when I get to meet you in person when my work is done here on earth.
Mary's husband Henry is buried in the Sheephorn Cemetery in Colorado near where they lived in their cabin. I have set up the cemetery on Find A Grave along with a second Sheephorn cemetery and added all the internments of both cemeteries. Another member of Find A Grave who lives in Colorado, Kelly, was good enough to take all the grave marker photos and add them to each memorial. The work continues on.
Gigi M. Jackson
Editorial: (1931-1932)
Mrs. Mary French was given a surprise party at the Herbert residence on Norway Street last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being her ninety-fourth birthday anniversary. The afternoon was spent on a social way, refreshments served and Mrs. French was presented with a number of gifts. To our knowledge Mrs. French is the oldest living person in Florence County.
Obituary:
FRENCH, Mrs. Henry - Pioneer Sheephorn Lady Dies in Iowa.
Mrs. C. B. RUNDELL of Sheephorn recently received news of the death of her mother, Mrs. Henry FRENCH, January 10. Mrs. FRENCH was making her home with another daughter, Mrs. Mary YATES, at the time of her death.
Mrs. FRENCH, with her husband was one of the pioneers of the Sheephorn valley, and was about 96 years of age when death called her. She is survived by four children, the two daughters, Mrs. YATES and Mrs. RUNDELL; two sons, Chas. FRENCH, of Glenwood Springs, and Harry FRENCH, now supervisor of the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. For many years the latter was supervisor of the Holy Cross Forest with headquarters at Glenwood Springs.[20 Jan 1933, Eagle Valley Enterprise, p1]
Bio per contributor Gigi M. Jackson
Bio:
Mary Dimis Dutcher was the sixth born child and daughter of seven children of John J. Dutcher and Dimis Sanford.
Mary married Henry Augustus French on Nov 8, 1859 in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. They were married one month shy of 56 years at the time of Henry's death in 1915.
Mary and Henry had five children between them of which four survived to adulthood. First born was John Franklin French born and died in 1863, second born was Henry Harrison "Harry" French born in 1867, third born was Phoebe Dimis French born in 1870, fourth born was Mary Vistula "Mattie" French born in 1873, and fifth born was Charles Freeman French born in 1875.
Addition to Bio:
Mary Dutcher began her life, born and raised in Greenwood, Steuben Co., New York. She met and married Henry French of Chenango Forks, Broome Co., New York. They were married in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. Here in Peoria, Illinois their first child John was born a little more then three years later, but only lived for a couple of months. Four years later their second child Henry was born in La Prairie Centre, Illinois. Three years later they went back to Greenwood, New York where Mary had her third child Phoebe. From there they go west to Prairie, Jasper Co., Iowa where they have their fourth child Mary just three years after their daughter Phoebe. Two years later, also in Prairie, they have their fifth child and last, another son name Charles. Sometime, years later, Mary and Henry relocate to the Sheephorn Valley in Colorado, north of of the Vale, Colorado area. This was wilderness at that time and they were some of the first pioneers to settle in that part of the state/country. Mary's husband passed away at the age of 79 there in Sheephorn, Colorado. Mary sometime later relocated and was making her home with her daughter Mary in Florence, Wisconsin. Mary died four months after her 94th birthday in Iowa while visiting other family members.
Updated 21 Aug 2012
I have a personal story to tell of Mary … This was one amazing lady. My family and I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area in Texas. Every year we would go to Twin Lakes and the Leadville area of Colorado on vacation. This one year on 2 July 2003 we went into Leadville to shop at the neat little stores as we normally do when we are there. We stopped at a favorite shop that we liked … an antique shop in what use to be the old Leadville Hardware Store. My spouse and daughter drifted toward the back of the shop while I never made it beyond the first little table of items not more then a few feet inside the front door. There sat a little oval frame of this lady that I could not resist picking up. Her spirit reached out and took hold of me and has yet to let go of me for she had a mission for me to pursue as I was soon to learn. On the back of the frame was tied a little label that said "Mrs. French died 95 yrs old" $13.50. Her photo and eyes stirred my interest as nothing ever before in my life. Every time I would sit her back down on the table I would pick her back up. Finally after what was 30-45 minutes standing there and not being able to move from that spot … only to stare at this lady and her eyes in the photo … I decided that I would purchase the picture. A friend of mine, Paul, whom I worked with in Dallas and his daughter were to meet me that evening back in Twin Lakes at the lodge there. Thru our genealogy research we had learned that we (Paul and I) were 5th cousins. I showed him the picture and told him I was going to find her family and return her.
I began to research to find out her story and soon learned her name was Mary Dimis (Dutcher) French. I had posted her photo on a website in Colorado asking if anyone knew who she might be or who could help me with identifying her. There was one name listed, John, with an email that said he was researching the French family so I sent an email and the photo along with it. It was only 2 weeks later after I had found her photo in that shop when I heard from John, a great great-grandson of Mary's. He identified her immediately but had never seen such a young picture of her. He had already done much research on their genealogy and so we began to work together long distant. The oval photo is the one I found in the antique store and the two of her with her husband Henry French standing in front of their log cabin in the Sheephorn and the one with them and two of their children, John provided for me. Note the second photo of Mary with her husband and two grown children. Her eyes are the same as in the oval photo of her that I found in the shop ... her eyes are reaching and drawing you in ... to tell you a story!
Mary has changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin in telling, but she has definitely played a part in helping to make me a better person. Her spirit is still with me leading me on and that small framed photo sits on my desk at home where my computer is as I work on mine and others genealogy. So far I have connected five people that I know to Mary including my best friend Paul at work who is also a fifth cousin to John in Colorado. Neither, Paul or I knew the path she would take us BOTH down over the next number of years and that he (Paul) would turn out to be family of Mary's! Over 9 years has passed and still her story continues on as she and her spirit guides me on. If you click on more photos there is a fourth photo that has a cluster of pictures that came from another member of Find A Grave and distant relative of Mary's after she read this memorial. We all love you Mary. I cannot wait for the day when I get to meet you in person when my work is done here on earth.
Mary's husband Henry is buried in the Sheephorn Cemetery in Colorado near where they lived in their cabin. I have set up the cemetery on Find A Grave along with a second Sheephorn cemetery and added all the internments of both cemeteries. Another member of Find A Grave who lives in Colorado, Kelly, was good enough to take all the grave marker photos and add them to each memorial. The work continues on.
Gigi M. Jackson
Editorial: (1931-1932)
Mrs. Mary French was given a surprise party at the Herbert residence on Norway Street last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being her ninety-fourth birthday anniversary. The afternoon was spent on a social way, refreshments served and Mrs. French was presented with a number of gifts. To our knowledge Mrs. French is the oldest living person in Florence County.
Obituary:
FRENCH, Mrs. Henry - Pioneer Sheephorn Lady Dies in Iowa.
Mrs. C. B. RUNDELL of Sheephorn recently received news of the death of her mother, Mrs. Henry FRENCH, January 10. Mrs. FRENCH was making her home with another daughter, Mrs. Mary YATES, at the time of her death.
Mrs. FRENCH, with her husband was one of the pioneers of the Sheephorn valley, and was about 96 years of age when death called her. She is survived by four children, the two daughters, Mrs. YATES and Mrs. RUNDELL; two sons, Chas. FRENCH, of Glenwood Springs, and Harry FRENCH, now supervisor of the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. For many years the latter was supervisor of the Holy Cross Forest with headquarters at Glenwood Springs.[20 Jan 1933, Eagle Valley Enterprise, p1]
Bio per contributor Gigi M. Jackson
Mary Dimis Dutcher was the sixth born child and daughter of seven children of John J. Dutcher and Dimis Sanford.
Mary married Henry Augustus French on Nov 8, 1859 in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. They were married one month shy of 56 years at the time of Henry's death in 1915.
Mary and Henry had five children between them of which four survived to adulthood. First born was John Franklin French born and died in 1863, second born was Henry Harrison "Harry" French born in 1867, third born was Phoebe Dimis French born in 1870, fourth born was Mary Vistula "Mattie" French born in 1873, and fifth born was Charles Freeman French born in 1875.
Addition to Bio:
Mary Dutcher began her life, born and raised in Greenwood, Steuben Co., New York. She met and married Henry French of Chenango Forks, Broome Co., New York. They were married in Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. Here in Peoria, Illinois their first child John was born a little more then three years later, but only lived for a couple of months. Four years later their second child Henry was born in La Prairie Centre, Illinois. Three years later they went back to Greenwood, New York where Mary had her third child Phoebe. From there they go west to Prairie, Jasper Co., Iowa where they have their fourth child Mary just three years after their daughter Phoebe. Two years later, also in Prairie, they have their fifth child and last, another son name Charles. Sometime, years later, Mary and Henry relocate to the Sheephorn Valley in Colorado, north of of the Vale, Colorado area. This was wilderness at that time and they were some of the first pioneers to settle in that part of the state/country. Mary's husband passed away at the age of 79 there in Sheephorn, Colorado. Mary sometime later relocated and was making her home with her daughter Mary in Florence, Wisconsin. Mary died four months after her 94th birthday in Iowa while visiting other family members.
Updated 21 Aug 2012
I have a personal story to tell of Mary … This was one amazing lady. My family and I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area in Texas. Every year we would go to Twin Lakes and the Leadville area of Colorado on vacation. This one year on 2 July 2003 we went into Leadville to shop at the neat little stores as we normally do when we are there. We stopped at a favorite shop that we liked … an antique shop in what use to be the old Leadville Hardware Store. My spouse and daughter drifted toward the back of the shop while I never made it beyond the first little table of items not more then a few feet inside the front door. There sat a little oval frame of this lady that I could not resist picking up. Her spirit reached out and took hold of me and has yet to let go of me for she had a mission for me to pursue as I was soon to learn. On the back of the frame was tied a little label that said "Mrs. French died 95 yrs old" $13.50. Her photo and eyes stirred my interest as nothing ever before in my life. Every time I would sit her back down on the table I would pick her back up. Finally after what was 30-45 minutes standing there and not being able to move from that spot … only to stare at this lady and her eyes in the photo … I decided that I would purchase the picture. A friend of mine, Paul, whom I worked with in Dallas and his daughter were to meet me that evening back in Twin Lakes at the lodge there. Thru our genealogy research we had learned that we (Paul and I) were 5th cousins. I showed him the picture and told him I was going to find her family and return her.
I began to research to find out her story and soon learned her name was Mary Dimis (Dutcher) French. I had posted her photo on a website in Colorado asking if anyone knew who she might be or who could help me with identifying her. There was one name listed, John, with an email that said he was researching the French family so I sent an email and the photo along with it. It was only 2 weeks later after I had found her photo in that shop when I heard from John, a great great-grandson of Mary's. He identified her immediately but had never seen such a young picture of her. He had already done much research on their genealogy and so we began to work together long distant. The oval photo is the one I found in the antique store and the two of her with her husband Henry French standing in front of their log cabin in the Sheephorn and the one with them and two of their children, John provided for me. Note the second photo of Mary with her husband and two grown children. Her eyes are the same as in the oval photo of her that I found in the shop ... her eyes are reaching and drawing you in ... to tell you a story!
Mary has changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin in telling, but she has definitely played a part in helping to make me a better person. Her spirit is still with me leading me on and that small framed photo sits on my desk at home where my computer is as I work on mine and others genealogy. So far I have connected five people that I know to Mary including my best friend Paul at work who is also a fifth cousin to John in Colorado. Neither, Paul or I knew the path she would take us BOTH down over the next number of years and that he (Paul) would turn out to be family of Mary's! Over 9 years has passed and still her story continues on as she and her spirit guides me on. If you click on more photos there is a fourth photo that has a cluster of pictures that came from another member of Find A Grave and distant relative of Mary's after she read this memorial. We all love you Mary. I cannot wait for the day when I get to meet you in person when my work is done here on earth.
Mary's husband Henry is buried in the Sheephorn Cemetery in Colorado near where they lived in their cabin. I have set up the cemetery on Find A Grave along with a second Sheephorn cemetery and added all the internments of both cemeteries. Another member of Find A Grave who lives in Colorado, Kelly, was good enough to take all the grave marker photos and add them to each memorial. The work continues on.
Gigi M. Jackson
Editorial: (1931-1932)
Mrs. Mary French was given a surprise party at the Herbert residence on Norway Street last Saturday afternoon, the occasion being her ninety-fourth birthday anniversary. The afternoon was spent on a social way, refreshments served and Mrs. French was presented with a number of gifts. To our knowledge Mrs. French is the oldest living person in Florence County.
Obituary:
FRENCH, Mrs. Henry - Pioneer Sheephorn Lady Dies in Iowa.
Mrs. C. B. RUNDELL of Sheephorn recently received news of the death of her mother, Mrs. Henry FRENCH, January 10. Mrs. FRENCH was making her home with another daughter, Mrs. Mary YATES, at the time of her death.
Mrs. FRENCH, with her husband was one of the pioneers of the Sheephorn valley, and was about 96 years of age when death called her. She is survived by four children, the two daughters, Mrs. YATES and Mrs. RUNDELL; two sons, Chas. FRENCH, of Glenwood Springs, and Harry FRENCH, now supervisor of the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado. For many years the latter was supervisor of the Holy Cross Forest with headquarters at Glenwood Springs.[20 Jan 1933, Eagle Valley Enterprise, p1]
Bio per contributor Gigi M. Jackson
