THE FRENCH HOUSE HOTEL, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - Orvis French

Longtime readers of this blog will remember that I have always been interested in the history of hotels - from the Orrington Hotel in Evanston to the Hotel Del Coronado in California.  While doing research for this blog or for my family genealogy I often found references to The Greenwood Inn in Evanston, Illinois at the northwest corner of  Greenwood and Hinman. 

So this month I will tell you the story of the Greenwood Inn that actually started out as a family home, and it's founder, Orvis French.

First, let's look at the life of Orvis French prior to the time he opened a hotel.  Orvis French was born at Barre, Vermont on January 31, 1822.  He was one of eleven children of David French (1794-1854) and Fedelia "Delia" French (1794-1887).  David and Delia French were distantly related.  David and Delia's children were:  Christina (1816-1887), Fidelia Jr (1818-1820), Angelina (1820-1908), Orvis (1822-1897), Esther Ann (1829-1891), David Edgar (1891-1899), Delia Agnes (1838-1919), Alice (1842-1844), David Crandall (1824-1826), Gilbert Lincoln (1834-1889), and Clinton DeWitt (1849-1872).  

Orvis French traced his lineage from some of the well-known pioneers of New England. Both of his parents were descended from John and Grace French, of Braintree, Massachusetts.  Grace French was a daughter of John Alden, of Plymouth Colony.  Orvis' father David French represented the fourth, and Orvis' mother the fifth, generation of the French family in America. David French was born at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, and moved at the age of sixteen years to Barre, Vermont. He was a tanner and currier by occupation.

Orvis French was educated at the public schools of Barre, and also spent three months at an academy at Montpelier.  From the age of fifteen years he was familiar with mercantile business.  He began as a clerk for G. W. Collamore, working the first fifteen months for forty dollars, and boarding with his parents.  He persevered in this undertaking, however, and after a few years was enabled to engage in business for himself in his native town of Barre. 

During this era, Orvis was mentioned almost continuously in the area newspapers that he was the sole agent in Barre for various patent medicines including "Jones Drops for Humors":

and "Dr. Wistar's Balsam of Wild Cherry":

On January 10, 1847 Orvis French married Mariah Earle (1824-1865) in Williamstown, Vermont.  The bride was twenty-two; the groom was twenty-four.

Orvis and Mariah were blessed with six children:  Ralph Eugene (1847-1850), Julia Martha/Mrs. William Hayden (1850-1925), Orvis Clinton (1851-1908), Sarah Helen/Mrs. Charles Pearson "Nellie" (1854-1896), Josephine "Josie" (1861-1943), and Frederick Earle (1863-1931).   

The 1850 US Census finds Orvis French and his family living in Barre, Vermont.  The family consisted of:  Orvis (28 years old), Mariah (25), Ralph (2) and Julia (1).  Living with them was Clark Holden (25), a "Clerk."  Orvis reported his occupation as "Merchant."  Orvis also stated that he owned real estate valued at $1,000.00 ($37,000 today).  

After about twelve years of running a store in Barre, Vermont, French decided it was time to "Go West," so in 1856 he opened a dry goods store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

The 1860 US Census finds Orvis and his family living in the 3rd Ward of the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The family consisted of Orvis (38 years old), Maria (35), Julia (10), Orvis (9), Helen (6) and Louisa Ochs (19).  Orvis said he owned real estate worth $4,000 ($139,329 today) and personalty of $2,500 ($87,081 today).  Orvis said he was a "Merchant."  Everyone in the house could read and write.

French began dealing in dry goods on a wholesale basis, and continued there until 1867, when he moved again - this time to Chicago where he set up a wholesale clothing house.  At the time he moved his business to Chicago, he set up residence in beautiful Evanston, Illinois, by renting a house at the southwest corner of Hinman Avenue and Church Street.  Although raised a  Methodist, after coming to Evanston he was connected with the Avenue Presbyterian Church, and served as one of the Trustees of that organization. When a Congregational Church was established in Evanston he transferred to them, and remained a Congregationalist for the rest of his life.  His Methodist roots were deep enough that although he no longer was a parishioner of theirs, he did not consume intoxicating beverages so "Dry Evanston" was very appealing to him. 

Sadly, Orvis' wife Mariah Earle French died in Chicago on January 17, 1865.  Her Death Record was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 so we do not know her cause of death.  She was buried the the family plot in Section 104 at Rosehill Cemetery next to her son Ralph who died in 1850.  Ralph died in Vermont but after French bought the large plot at Rosehill he had Ralph's remains disinterred and reburied at Rosehill:

 

Photo courtesy of Find a Grave volunteer Meredith

Photo courtesy of Find a Grave volunteer Meredith

On September 6, 1866 Orvis French married a widow, Martha Farrington Carpenter (1828-1913) in Barre, Vermont.  She was the daughter of Nathaniel Farrington of Walden, Vermont and the widow of Dr. Augustus Carpenter.  Martha had one son, Edward Farrington Carpenter (1852-1928). 

Orvis French loved Evanston so he decided to settle there permanently.  In 1869 he built a residence for himself on the northwest corner of Hinman Avenue and Greenwood Boulevard on land he leased from Northwestern University.  In the early days of Evanston, almost all of the land was owned by Northwestern, and they still own parcels in downtown Evanston to this day.   

The 1870 US Census finds Orvis French and his family living in beautiful Evanston, Illinois.  The census taker was noted Evanstonian Philo Judson Beveridge and he visited the French home on June 2, 1870.  The French Family consisted of: Orvis French (45 years old), wife Martha (42), and children Julia (20), Clinton (17), Nellie (16), Josie (9), and Fred (7).  Also with the French family was Martha's son Edward Carpenter (17).  Orvis French reported his occupation as "Commissioner."  Edward Carpenter was a "Boat Clerk," and Clinton and Fred were "Grocers."  Orvis French reported that his real estate was worth $60,000 ($1,324,000 today) and personalty $22,000 ($483,000 today).    

Life was good for Orvis French.  He was a wealthy man, had a loving wife and children and a successful business and lived in a community where he was respected and admired.  

But life is not all roses for anyone and tragedy struck Orvis French on October 8-10, 1871.  The Great Chicago Fire destroyed his business and swept away most of his properties.  He realized little from insurance because his carriers were wiped out by the extent of the calamity.  But great people realize that there can be opportunities waiting even in the darkest of times if we know where to look - and that's exactly what Orvis French did.   

The Evanston newspapers reported:

Although himself impoverished by the fire, he received into (his) house many homeless refugees and this act of generosity was the unintentional beginning of a new line of activity.  It was several months before some of his guests were able to secure money and employment and by that time they had become so accustomed to their quarters that they asked to be allowed to remain.  As he had no other business at the time, he consented and thus began the "French House" which ultimately became the Greenwood Inn. 

Orvis French's house was large enough to house his family but not large enough to be a permanent hotel.   French began adding on to his house little-by-little as guests multiplied until it ultimately contained six houses joined together containing 125 rooms(!!!) and covered a large area.  Mr. French was said to be a genial host.  He had a rotund figure, a smiling face, a hearty manner and an accommodation disposition, and was willing to give credit to an honest man who happened to need it.  Mrs. French too, was said to be a model housekeeper and made everyone feel at home.  The consequence was that their house was always full, and many of their guests remained with them year after year.  And what was the name of this establishment?  The French House, of course.

Orvis French

People loved staying at The French House - so much in fact, that one wrote a poem about it:

Although running a hotel can be a (more than) full-time job, Orvis French still found time for other pursuits.  Like many other successful men he began to look outward - to see what he could do to make his community a better place.  The Chicago Evening Post reported on July 10, 1872 that French had been elected a Justice of the Peace at Evanston:

 

Throughout 1873 French was involved with the question of establishing a Water Works to provide fresh water for Evanston residents.  The Chicago Evening Post reported on April 12, 1873 that the "Water Works Party" of which Orvis French was a part was elected by an overwhelming margin:

In 1876 there was a new hotel in town - The Mattison House at Davis Street and Chicago Avenue.  The Mattison House was the forerunner to The Avenue House and the North Shore Hotel.  For a while Orvis French was losing business to his competitor to the northwest because it was several blocks closer to the Davis Street Depot of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.  Guests moved to The Mattison House because of the convenience to transportation.  

Orvis French being an enterprising businessman, met this challenge by getting a spring wagon and a horse which shuttled between the station and The French House.  At the reins was French's son Frederick, then 13, who studied his lessons while waiting for trains.  Later, after young French went into business, the hotel owner bought a bus drawn by two horses which was used until the Dempster Street station was built.    

During the 1880s Orvis French was in his 60s and so he started to slow down from all his labors and enjoy life more.  Local Vermont newspapers often reported visits of French and his wife to relatives who still lived in the Barre, Vermont area.  French also became very involved with the Masonic Lodge in Evanston.  Here's a photo of him from that period:

Here's an ad for the French House from 1890:

On March 26, 1892, the Chicago Tribune published the shocking news that Orvis French had sold The French House:

Orvis French was 70 years old in 1892 and as I mentioned above, running a hotel is a more-than full time job.  French wanted to retire and enjoy the fruits of his labors.

After the sale of their home/hotel, Orvis French and his wife moved to a house at 1232 Hinman Avenue in Evanston.  (1232 Hinman had formerly been known as 123 Hinman Avenue N but was changed to 1232 as a result of Evanston's renumbering which was implemented after the annexation of South Evanston in 1893.):

1232 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois

The Evanston Index newspaper reported that on Orvis French's 75th birthday the following poem was presented by his family:

'Tis fitting we congratulate

Grandfather French upon this date.

To reach a full three score and ten

Falls seldom to the lot of men.

Yet here we see him live and thrive

In happiness at seventy-five.

Life would not thus have held its force

Had it not had a worthy course;

But temperance insured good health,

And skill and industry gave wealth; 

He's had the comfort that attends

The presence of a host of friends;

He's had an honest joy and pride

Is blessing all at his fireside.

And in return children and wife

Have cheered and comforted his life.

Frenches and Carpenters unite

To make his years pass with delight.

And, members of his lengthening line

Haydens and Pearsons too combine.

All branches of his family tree

In loyalty and zeal agree.

So still he flourishes in peace,

And still his well spent years increase.

And children and grandchildren pray

God's blessing on him every day.

Orvis French's daughter Sarah Helen French Pearson (called Nellie) died suddenly on June 12, 1896.  She was forty-two years old.  Here is her Death Notice from the Chicago Chronicle of June 13, 1896:

She had suffered for years with inflammatory rheumatism which over time had weakened her heart.  It was reported that her condition had improved so her death came as a shock to all who knew her.  She was, of course, buried in the French Family plot at Rosehill:

Photo courtesy of Find a Grave volunteer meredith

The death of  Orvis French was reported by the Evanston Index newspaper on November 6, 1897:

Orvis French died very suddenly on Saturday, October 30, 1897 at 9:30 pm.  He had been an invalid for several years, but had not been confined to bed, and had walked downtown the day before his death.  On Saturday the 30th he retired early, and after a short sleep woke up and complained of the heat.  His wife at once began to remove some of the bed clothes, and as she was doing this he died without pain or warning.

Other members of the family were at once sent for, but so swift and silent had been his transition from life to death that they would scarcely believe that Mr. French had passed away until the arrival of Dr. Clapp, who pronounced him dead.

The funeral was held at his residence, 1232 Hinman Avenue, at 2 o'clock on Monday, November 1, 1897.  The services were conducted by Dr. Lobs, pastor of the First Congregational Church.  The casket and parlors were covered with choice flowers, and the presence of a detachment of Knights Templar gave special impressiveness to the ceremony.  The pallbearers were;  H.B. Hill, M.A. Dean, E.A. Lord, J.J. Charles, J.V. Taylor and E.H. Buehler.  The remains were interred in the French family plot at Rosehill.  

Next month we will report what happened to the French House Hotel after it was purchased in March of 1892 by Benjamin Bayliss of the firm of Bayliss Bros. & Co. of Louisville, Kentucky and renamed The Greenwood Inn.   

Orvis French - tragedy led his life in a different direction than he had anticipated.  But like many great men, he was able to turn tragedy into triumph.  May he rest in peace.                 .