Albion H. French, M.D., a wellknown physician of Pittsfield, was born in Gilmanton N.H., March 27, 1847, son of Thomas H. and Sarah Ann (Brown) French. His great-grandfather, Ezekiel French, an Englishman, who was a pioneer of either Loudon or Hampton, N.H., spent his last days in Loudon, where he owned a farm. The second of Ezekiel’s two marriages was contracted with Sallie Smith. His son John was a native of Loudon. When a young man, John settled in Gilmanton, where he became a wealthy farmer, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Lucy T. Prescott, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-three or ninety-four years. She reared five children, of whom Thomas H., Albion H. French’s father, was the eldest. Of these children the survivors are: Ann M., the widow of William Brackett, late of Epsom, N.H.; and Warren B. The other two sons, John O. and Samuel P., were graduates of Dartmouth College and physicians. In the latter part of his life the father was a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church.
Thomas H. French was born in Gilmanton in 1815. In early manhood he engaged in agriculture with a determination to succeed. He was rapidly becoming prosperous when he died, in the prime of life, aged thirty-seven years. He held a Captain’s commission in the State militia, and was about to be promoted at the time of his death. Politically, he acted with the Republican party. His wife, Sarah Ann, who was a daughter of Richard Brown, of Loudon, became the mother of five children, of whom Merven E. and Albion H. are living. Merven E. French married Addie M. Gilman, and has three children-John H., Mabel, and William A. Mrs. Thomas H. French died at about the same age as her husband. She was a member of the Congregational church.
Albion H. French attended the academies in Pembroke and Pittsfield and the Northwood Seminary. He fitted for college at the Gilmanton Academy, took a partial college course under Professor E. R. Avery of Tilton Seminary and at the University of Vermont. Then he entered the medical department of the University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1875. After that he pursued his medical studies at Long Island and New York City. He was a delegate to the National Medical Convention in New York City in 1880. The first eight years of professional life were passed in Epsom, N.H. From that town he moved to Leominster, Mass., where he practised four years. After residing in Gilmanton for a short time on account of poor health, he in 1892 located in Pittsfield and has since remained here. He is regarded as a skilful and reliable physician. He has a large and lucrative practice, and is much sought for in all the adjoining towns.
Dr. French has been twice married. His first marriage was contracted September 23, 1873, with Emogene F. Grant, a native of Gilmanton. She died at the age of forty-one years, leaving one daughter, Ethel M. Dr. French September 19, 1892, to Lila M. Thompson, of Chichester, N.H. In politics Dr. French supports the Republican party, and he is chairman of the Board of Education in Pittsfield. He is highly esteemed by all. Mrs. French is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.