Walter Scott French
Walter
Scott French, of the Phoenix Foundry Company. Our subject was born in Warren
County, near McMinnville, Tenn., May 12, 1854, and is the only son of John H.
and L. Virginia (Smith) French of three children born to them, his sisters being
Jessie V. and May L. (Noel) French. His mother, of whom he is very proud, was
born in Accomac County, Va., was educated in Washington County, Penn., began her
literary career in Memphis, Tenn., and was married to John H. French, his
father, in 1853, a native of Virginia and a resident of Tennessee, whose
writings are too well known to need comment here. His early life was spent on
his father's farm, where, under the tutorship of his excellent mother and a few
local teachers, he received his primary education, and laid the foundation of a
character for a useful life. In October, 1872, at the age of eighteen, he
entered the Eastern Tennessee University, where he applied himself diligently to
master the scientific course of the institution, stood high in his classes, and
soon won the esteem and confidence of his instructors and follow students by his
gentlemanly deportment. Owing to sickness in January, 1874, he was obliged to
give up his studies and seek rest, which was much needed. Having regained his
health, in October, 1875, he entered Frank Goodman & Company's Business
College, at Nashville, Tenn., where in February, 1876, he graduated with honors,
and in April of the same year entered upon active life, as bookkeeper for the
manufacturing firm of T. F. Burroughs & Company, of his native town, at a
nominal salary. Longing for a wider sphere of activity, and wishing to see more
of the world, he decided to sever his connection with the firm, and on December
17, 1877, left for Chattanooga, Tenn., where without means and among strangers
be began life anew. Disappointed in not finding ready employment, though by no
means discouraged, his efforts were at last successful, and on January 8, 1878,
he was taken into the employment of Mr. P. C. Wilson, glass dealer-a business
entirely new to him-over many worthy applicants, at $20 per month, which was
afterward increased as he became more proficient. As an appreciation of his
services, his kind employer allowed him to represent the firm at the great
banquet tendered by the citizens of Cincinnati to the merchants of the cities of
the South, upon the formal opening of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, where
nearly 2,000 guests dined at Music Hall on March 18, 1880. In March of the next
year he was called home to attend the bedside of his dying mother, where after a
long illness she breathed her last on April 1, and was laid to rest. Two weeks
after this event found him again at his business, and in August of the same
year, at the earnest solicitations of his first employer, Mr. T. F.
Goodspeed's
"History of East Tennessee" 1887