The Tharreau family originated in the Upper Poitou region of France and after the French Revolution it divided into two branches.

The family in Cholet had five sons: François, who served in the legislature as a deputy from Maine-et-Loire from 1808 to 1812; Augustin, who was a doctor; and a third who died young...

The Châtillon branch also had five sons: Pierre-Jean-François, born 1755, who became a legislative deputy, and a jurist; Jean-Victor, who became a general in Napoleon's army; and a third who died young.

[4] In 1799, Jean Victor Tharreau was a brigade commander in the French Army of the Danube, and fought at the battles of Ostrach and First Stockach.

A firm believer in the revolutionary principles, he was dismayed by Napoleon's acquisition of absolute power, although he admired the man's military talents.

[13] There is also a granite stone at the cemetery in the village of Orvault, in the Loire-Atlantique department of France, on which is inscribed: To the memory of General of Division Baron Jean-Victor Tharreau, officer of the Legion of Honor, who died of wounds from the Battle of Moscow 7 September 1812.