John Anthony French was born Dec. 23, 1932 in Alabama and moved to Tennessee in the late-1850s. He married Susan Newton in 1856 and they were the parents of at least eight children. The oldest two being born in Fayette County. John and his family later moved to Tipton County when they had 6 more children.

John A. French enlisted in  Co. B, 7th Tennessee Confederate Infantry (Duckworth’s) as a private on March 18, 1862 at Mason’s Depot by Capt. Samuel Taylor for a period of three years. He was paid between $24 -$27 for his horse each pay period.

Civil War file #S4252..