FRENCH, ALBERT AND CAROLINE

by Mrs. Sara French Ginkens

Entry F148 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

1914, Mrs. Albert (Caroline) French. Children,
Gerald and Benny in a two wheeled cart.

Albert French Family, summer 1915. Caroline
(Carrie), Albert, Sara, Ben and Gerald.

Albert Lewis French was born June 16,
1862 in Moorestown, New Jersey. His wife
CAroline was born Febr. 22, 1863 in Moores-
town, New Jersey.

Albert French came to Omaha in the early
1890's and worked as a deleveryman for
national Biscuit Co. - In Oct. 1904 he came
to Hooker Co., and filed on a Kincaid
Homestead. 640 acres about 6 miles south of
Mullen, In April 1905 the family came to live
on the homestead. He brought the household
goods, some machinery, two horses a milk
cow, 2 or 3 sheep in a railroad box car. His
wife and 3 children, Sara, Gerald, and Ben
came on the passenger train.

The family lived in a tent until fall when
a 4 room house, purchased from the UBI
Cattle Co., was moved in. The well was dug
on a hill and a cistern made and cold water
piped to the house. Washing was done on the
wash-board, then later went to a wooden tub
"rocked" by hand. The main fuel consisted
of corn cobs and cow chips. Some coal was
burned during real cold weather.

We traveled about in our homemade cart.
It had 2 wheels, a small bed with seat for
adults, and even an unbrella for shade. A
board was placed across the front part and
the children sat on that board - right behind
the horses. The lumber wagon was used to
haul supplies.

Families were living on about every section
of land. The country schools had only 6
month terms. One year because of lack of
money the school was open only four months.
The school houses were moved so that it
would be centrally located. The French
children were able to attend the French
School in the fall and the Center School in the
spring. During their high school years they
rode horse-back to Mullen during the nice
weather. During winter months they stayed
in town and worked for room and board.
Later they purchased a small house and
stayed in town during the week. All three
children graduated from Mullen as did all of
their own children.

Sunday School and occasionly Church
Services were held in the school houses.
George Ware helped organize the church
Services in several of the school houses. Other
ministers came to preach at these services but
no one minister stayed very long. Albert
French was Sunday School Superintendent
for many years at Calvary Church. Each year
on or near his birthday June 16, a picnic was
held at the Dismal River.

In July 1911 Albert bought 480 acres four
miles east of the home-stead from George
Ware for $3700. The main crops were corn
and rye. They paid 2 cents per bushel to pick
the corn by hand.

On a Thursday March 12, 1913, Sara and
two of her friends, Katherine Schmidt and
Adeline Schnelle drove to Mullen to take the
8th grade exams. They were to spend the
night in town with the Jake Smiths. The next
morning March 13, 1913 they woke up to a
big blizzard. By Sunday a warmer, sunny day
they started home with a friend Bill Heelan.
Because of the huge drifts and other prob-
lems the buggy broke down. The rest of the
trip was made on foot, or riding the horses
part of the time. The horses often had to
struggle through the drifts. Many cattle were
lost in the storm.

In 1925 Albert bought the Calvary Church
building and moved it to the Wickham Valley
property, where Roger French now lives. It
was put on a basement foundation and with
other buildings was made into a six room
house with bath. Caroline French entered
and won a contest in a farm magazine for the
most improvement with the least amount of
cash spent. They had spent $837.75 for the
improvement. Her prize was $100.00.

The following is an itemized account of the
cash expenditures: Hardware and lumber
(including doors & windows) $420.00; Cem-
ent 50.00; Plaster 70.00; Paint and Oil 12.75;
Electric wiring 25.00; Carpenter work 200.00;
For plastering (labor) 60.00. This report was
sent in by Mrs. A.L. French, Mullen, Nebr.
and witnessed by - J.E. Lowe Co. - Mullen,
Nebr.; J.W. Welton - Editor of Hooker Co.
Tribune; F.A. Meidell - Sec. of Farmers
Union.

They later put in a "light plant" that
operated off a windcharger. There was an
engine for back-up.

Caroline passed away Nov. 8, 1947, at the
age of 84 years. Albert passed away March 27,
1951 at the age of 88 years old. All three
children stayed in the Sand-hills. Sara
married and lives in Mullen. Gerald and Ben
were both ranchers. All three are past 80
years old. They have lived within 20 miles of
each other their entire lives.