Obit: DeLane, Viola French (? - 1950)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: DeLane, French, Oakley, Youmans, Kemp

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) 1950

DeLane, Viola (? - 1950)

VIOLA FRENCH DELANE DIES IN LOS ANGELES -- Was the daughter of "Doc" French, a notable of the Early Years

Dr. Viola French DeLane is dead in Los Angeles. She was a daughter of Neillsville, one of the children of "Doc" French, notable pioneer of Clark County.

Viola was one of the six children of "Doc" French, only two of whom now survive. She was born and reared in Neillsville; was graduated from the Neillsville High School; taught in the Neillsville High School; was graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago; returned to Neillsville and practiced medicine here about 20 years.

Dr. Viola then joined other brothers and sisters in Los Angeles. There her brother, Dr. John Rollin French, had, with a partner, set up the Golden State Hospital. His sister Viola took a hand in that enterprise, at first in the maternity department and then in the commissary. She has been living in retirement several years, sharing a home with two sisters and a brother. The sisters, both now dead, were Dimple Irene Oakley and Mrs. Nettie Youmans, widow of a one-time prominent attorney of Neillsville. The brother Edwin continues to reside in the Los Angeles home. He is in his seventies, and has the attention of a niece, Viola (Dolly) Youmans. Another sister, Elva Kemp, also survives. She resides with her children in Los Angeles.

The passing of Dr. Viola cuts another link with the pioneer days of Neillsville. The French family was among the first in southern Clark County, sharing early honors with the O’Neills. There were four French brothers, originally, who came into Clark County, B. F. (Doc), James, Joseph and Robert B. All of them originally held adjoining land in Levis town. B. F. moved into Neillsville and practiced law. Although he was known as "Doc" and was valued for his knowledge of medical science, he gave medical advice and help only on the side. His main occupation was the practice of law. The old B. F. French home was on the site now occupied by the library.

Responses

Re: Obit: DeLane, Viola French (? - 1950)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

In a message received from Jan Perry today here is some additional information on the DeLane family: From Jan; I am researching the Delane/Cannon side of my family (Maggie Cannon was Adelbert H. Delane's 1st wife). I thought you might have interest in the info I know and maybe you already know: Maggie died @ not quite 30 yrs old, leaving Adelbert alone with 3 daughters under 7 yrs old. A year later, Oct 1906, he married Viola.

Between 1910-1920 they moved to LA. In Feb 1932, Adelbert died in LA and Viola died 29 Jan 1950 in LA but is buried in Neillsville.

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