Jonas H. French

Jonas Harrod French (November 4, 1829 – February 22, 1903) was an American army officer who participated in the Union occupation of New Orleans during the American Civil War. After the war, he founded the Cape Ann Granite Company and was a leader in the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Early life French was born on November 4, 1829 in Boston. Fannie died on April 3, 1882.

Civil War In November 1861, French raised soldiers for the Eastern Bay State regiment, later known as the 30th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, at Camp Chase. In January 1862, he commanded a regiment that sailed from Boston to Ship Island. Upon arriving, he was appointed senior aide-de-camp and inspector-general on the staff of General Benjamin Butler. He was with Butler during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and Capture of New Orleans. He served under Butler's successor, Nathaniel P. Banks, for some time before resigning and returning to Massachusetts.

Politics French was a member of the Boston City Council in 1853, 1855, and 1856. From 1880 to 1884, he was the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee. He was a delegate to the 1880 and 1888 Democratic National Conventions.

Business French began his business career as a grocer, but later became a distiller. He was a leading proponent of the Eastern's lease to the Boston and Maine Railroad.

In 1873, French was elected a director Maverick National Bank. The indictment was nol prosed by U.S. Attorney Sherman Hoar in 1893 following the acquittal of bank president Asa P. Potter.

French died suddenly on February 22, 1903 at his winter home in Roxbury.