Rev. Emile Grand-Girard
Rev. Emile Grand-Girard was born at Hericourt. France. June 4, 1816. He was of Huguenot parentage. His ancestors, firm in the Protestant faith, fled to Switzerland at the time of the St. Bartholomew massacre in 1572.
When about fourteen years of age. Mr. Grand-Girard went to Strasburg, where he pursued his studies under private instructors, preparatory to entering the Polytechnic School (one of the French Government Schools) of Applied Sciences.
He came with his family to the United States in 1833, landing in Cincinnati, Ohio. For a few years he followed his profession of architectural designer in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and other cities in the South.
On December 31. 1840. he was married to Miss Georgiana Herdman, at Bowling Green, Kentucky, who was descended from Francis McKarry, the first Presbyterian minister settled in the Colonies. From this marriage were born two sons and two daughters.
In 1844, Mr. Grand-Girard decided to enter the ministry and studied theology under Rev. Samuel Steel. D. D., of Hillsboro. Ohio. He was licensed in 1846 and ordained to the full work of the ministry the year following by the Presbytery of Chillicothe. He preached at different times to the French Church at Mowrystown, Marshall, Rocky Spring and Red Oak, preaching in the latter place in connection with Mowrystown for a little more than eleven years.
In 1866, he removed to Hillsboro. Ohio, where, in connection with his sister, Emilie L. Grand-Girard, he engaged in the management of Highland Institute, a ladies' seminary and boarding school. The institute was very successful, and from it were graduated large classes of young ladies who have since filled places of much usefulness in many homes and circles of society.
In 1875, he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Kingston, Ohio, where he labored for six years.
In 1881, he took charge of the Presbyterian Church of Eckmansville, Adams County, where he remained until his decease in December, 1887, rounding out his active service of over forty-one years in the Gospel ministry. During the War of the Rebellion. Mr. Grand-Girard, having learned military tactics in the old country, drilled several companies for the Union Army. At the time of the Morgan Raid through Ohio, a regiment was made up from Brown and adjoining counties and Mr. Grand-Girard was appointed by the Governor, Colonel of the same.
He was a man of unblemished character. Firm in his adherence to the right as became a son of the Huguenots, he was at the same time, gentle and charitable. Possessed of all the grace and suavity of his native people, he was a perfect gentleman and most agreeable companion. He was an earnest preacher of the Gospel, a faithful and beloved pastor. He filled an honorable and useful place in the world and earned the reward of the loved and faithful.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900