John B. French, City Clerk of Galena, is one of its most intelligent and able civic officers. He was born in Charles County, Md., in the month of December, 1820. His father, DeArcy A. French, was a native of Galway, Ireland, coming of a good old family, and receiving the benefit of the best educational advantages of his native Island – his education having been obtained in that world-renowned institution of learning, the University of Dublin. He came to America in early manhood, and after spending a short time in New York City, went to Georgetown, D. C., as a tutor in a private family. He subsequently occupied a chair in Georgetown College. He went from there to Charles County, Md., where he engaged in teaching for some time. In 1832 he once again took up his sojourn in the District of Columbia, and in 1835 changed his residence to Washington, and taught in a private academy in that city until 1842. In that year he came to Galena, and opened a private school here which he afterward abandoned to accept a professorship in the Sinsinawa College, in Sinsinawa Mound, Wis. He retained that position two years, when he resume teaching in Galena, continuing thus engaged until 1857, when he was elected to the responsible position of City Treasurer. He was still an incumbent of that office when his useful career was closed by his death in August, 1860. At this sad event this city was called upon to mourn one of her most honored citizens. He was a man of exceptionally fine tastes, and of much erudition, and had, besides, a genuine talent for finances: so that his services were very valuable to this city in that direction. In office he was straight forward, honest and incorruptible, and not a whisper against him in civic life ever sullied his fair reputation. He was deeply interested in his chosen vocation as an educator, even after he abandoned it, and was always a close student. He was the author of two or three volumes on English Grammar, which show careful research and a profound knowledge of the subject. He was married in Charles County, Md., to Miss Christina J. Spalding, a native of that county, and a daughter of Basil Spalding, also a native of Maryland, and a descendant of one of the earliest families of that State. The mother of our subject died in Galena, in 1848. To her and her husband there were born ten children, six of whom grew up, as follows: John B., M. Ambrose, Mary A. (who was the wife of G. R. Melville) is now deceased; Eliza J., wife of William H. Myers, of Galena; William D. and Thomas J.

The subject of this sketch received the greater part of his education at home under the careful supervision of his father, but for two years he was a student in an excellent academy at Washington, under the tutorship of J. Lawrence Henshaw. He also adopted the profession of teacher, and his first experience was as his father’s assistant. He subsequently taught in the public schools of St. Mary’s and Prince George’s Counties, Md. In 1842 he came to Galena to try life in a western town, but two years afterward returned to Maryland and taught there until 1849. He then came back to Galena and abandoned his profession to engage as bookkeeper and confidential clerk of Nicholas Dowley, and his connection with him was only severed by that gentleman’s death in 1860. Our subject then entered into business for himself, and for the ensuing ten years was actively engaged in the hardware business. In 1870 he was obliged to give up mercantile pursuits, as he was called to public office, having been elected Treasurer of the city. He retained that position seven years, discharging its onerous duties with characteristic fidelity, and showing himself to be a skillful financier. During that time, in addition to the work of his own office, he also performed the duties of City Clerk, and in 1877, he was elected to that office, which he has held ever since to he satisfaction of his fellow-citizens, without regard to party.

Mr. French was married in 1847, to Mary L. Jones, a native of St. Mary’s County, Md., and a daughter of Richard and Catherine Jones. Her death (in 1863) was a severe blow to her family, and to her many friends. Eight children were born of that marriage, of whom the four oldest are dead. The names of all were as follows: John D., Richard A., William T., Francis J., Eugene E., Mary H., Josephine C., and Walter H. Mr. French’s marriage to his present wife took place in 1865, and to them have been born two children, Caroline M., and Charles H. Mrs. French’s maiden name was Mary J. Delahunt, and she is a daughter of Mathew and Margaret Delahunt, natives of County Wicklow, Ireland, where she was also born. They came to America about 1849, and settled in Jo Daviess County. Her father died here; but her mother is still living. The family of our subject are members of St. Michael’s church, and are active in sustaining its good work. Mr. French is well-known as a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He is greatly respected in this city, of which he has been a resident for forty years, so that it has been his privilege to witness much of its growth and to materially assist in advancing its prosperity. In all the relations of life he has shown himself to be an honorable and an exemplary citizen; his public life and business career have been without stain, and his private life is irreproachable.

Portraits and Biographical Album for Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, IL (1889), p. 729-730.