Making Waco Men Better Since 1852

Benjamin French

Benjamin French

(1853-1922)

Benjamin French was an early Jewish settler in central Texas. For a time, he lived in Hillsboro where he was one of the first doctors and ran a dry goods store for his brother-in-law, Joseph Levine. French then moved to Waco where he lived for 50 years and became a mason at Waco Masonic Lodge. He served as High Priest of Waco Chapter No. 45 and was fondly remembered for donating thousands of books to the North Texas State Hospital in Terrell which was then overseen by fellow Waco 92 member Dr. David Wallace. The resultant library was named the Ben French Library and provided patients with an endless supply of literature.

Brother French also served as a long-time officer for the Texas Federation of Zionists, a civic organization focused on supporting Jewish Texans.