The French family has a relatively extended history in the United States. In 1636, ancestor Edward French founded the town Ipswich in Massachusetts. Other members of the family include artists and writers, such as sculptor Daniel Chester French from 1850-1931. Josiah Newell French, son of Josiah French and his wife Dolly Adams, moved to New Mexico in 1893 with his wife Emma Ann Colley their children Ralph Emerson, Floy Edna, and Frances.
Frances "Fannie" French was born in Manchester, Iowa. Until the age of ten, she attended kindergarten and public school there. In 1893, the French family moved to New Mexico because of her father's health. Fannie French entered the Preparatory Department of New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
Frances French was a member of the graduating class of 1902 at New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Most of the materials contained in the collection cover the period from 1894 until 1925, although there is correspondence from as late as 1973. Certificates awarded to Miss French in later life are also included in the collection.
Floy French, Fannie's older sister, also attended NMCA&MA. She did not earn a degree, although she was considered a member of the class of 1897. Having studied stenography at the Mesilla Park campus, Floy received library training at the Chicago Public Library. Among her positions as a librarian, Floy worked at McCormick Reaper, later International Harvester, the University of Missouri, and the Carnegie Foundation in Indiana. From 1914-1924, Floy French was the librarian at NMCA&MA.
From the guide to the French family papers, 1802-1993, 1802-1993, (Archives and Special Collections. New Mexico State University Library.)
