C. G. W. French
| C. G. W. French | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice, Arizona Territorial Supreme Court | |
|
In office January 1876 – May 20, 1884 |
|
| Nominated by | Ulyses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Edmund Francis Dunne |
| Succeeded by | Sumner Howard |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 22, 1822 Berkley, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 13, 1891 (aged 68) San Francisco, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Abby Ann Haskell (m. 1853–79) Nancy LeCroft Manney (m. 1886–86) |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Profession | Attorney |
Charles Grafton Wilberton "C.G.W." French (August 22, 1822 – August 13, 1891) was an American jurist and politician. Raised and educated in New England, he moved to California and served a two-year term in the California State Assembly. French followed his time as a legislator with nine years as Chief Justice on the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court.
French was born on August 22, 1822, in Berkley, Massachusetts. His father, Ephiram French, and grandfather, James French, were both ship captains involved with cargo vessels. He was educated in private academies and by private tutors before graduating from Brown University in 1842. After graduation, he taught in local schools while continuing his study of law. French also apprenticed in the offices of several attorneys, including those of Benjamin R. Curtis. After admission to the Massachusetts bar in 1848, French practiced in Dedham. He married Abby Ann Haskell.
In January 1851, French moved to California. He brought with him letters of recommendation from Daniel Webster and Justice Curtis. He initially practiced law in Placer County, California, before moving to Sacramento, California, in 1854. French served as a trustee of the California State Library from 1866 till 1870 and represented Sacramento in the California State Assembly for a two-year term beginning in 1871. While in the legislature, French was chairman of both the committee on codes and the state library committee.
Based upon a recommendation by the California Congressional delegation, French was nominated to become Chief Justice of Arizona by President Ulyses S. Grant on December 13, 1875, and confirmed by the United States Senate three days later. He brought his wife and children with him to Arizona Territory. Initially assigned to the first district, French split his time between Tucson and Florence. While serving on the bench, the Chief Justice gained an unusual reputation of rarely leaving his district except when substituting for a colleague in another district. French's wife died from cancer on December 11, 1879, while escorting the couple's children back east to attend college.
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