Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Henry, French, 1851-1916 and SJSU Special Collections & Archives
- Abstract:
- 114 letters to and from Henry French between 1875-1907, with a gap between 1887-1897. Bulk of letters relate to French's grocery business, his involvement with the YMCA, the University of Pacific Alumni Association, personal/family correspondences, and letters relating to his later profession as a lawyer in San Jose.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (1.29 linear feet)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Henry French Papers, MSS-2019-01-22, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The bulk of early correspondences (1875-1887) relate to Henry's grocery business on S. 1st Street in San Jose, and his work as the Secretary for the San Jose YMCA. Many of the letters to Henry are orders for goods from his store, as well as some outgoing letters from Henry requesting balance payments for accounts at his grocery store.
The bulk of his later correspondences (1898-1907) relate to letters with friends and family to and from Henry as well as letters from the University of the Pacific Alumni Association. Many of the letters involve his law practice in San Jose with several relating to cases Henry was working on in his law practice. Also includes one 1901 letter from R. E. Ragland, President of the recently formed California State Bar Association inviting Henry French to become a member.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Henry French (1851-1916) was born in Camelford, Cornwall, England. He married Rebecca Tretheway (1852-1919), also an English native from Cornwall, in Lockeford, CA in 1876. They had 5 children; Mary Arthur French (1878-191), Beatrice French Bolt (married to Dr. Richard Bolt), Henry Nelson French, John Warren French (1886-1940), Annie Cordeila French, and William Edward French (1896-1900). Henry French died on August 27, 1916 in Pacific Grove, Monterey County, CA - he is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose.
Henry French was a graduate of the University of the Pacific and the Stanford law school. Henry ran a groceries and provisions store, later a law practice, and resided for many years in the French Building (most likely owned by Henry French) on S. 1st Street in San Jose. He served on the board of trustees at the San Jose State Normal School, and was the first secretary for the YMCA's San Jose chapter. French was a member of the Prohibition Party, and ran for State Treasurer in 1890, as well as unsuccessfully running for Governer of California on the Prohibition ticket in 1894.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Jacob Rabinowitz, February 2019
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged chronologically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of San Jose State University Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files from or derived from these collections is restricted to research and educational purposes.
- Preferred citation:
-
Henry French Papers, MSS-2019-01-22, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives
- Location of this collection:
-
One Washington SquareSan Jose, CA 95192-0028, US
- Contact:
- 408-808-2062