KY-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest 27 Feb 2000 Volume 00 : Issue 111 ______________________________X-Message: #1 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 09:04:23 -0700 From: "Nancy T. Green" Subject: BIO: Judge Wm. J. Francis, b. Lincoln Co From: Portrait and Biographical Record, Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri containing Biographical Sletches of Porminent and Representative Citizens together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States Chicago Chapman Bros.1893 pages 262-263 Judge William J. Francis, a man of high ability and sterling integrity of character and an honored veteran of the Mexican War, bravely engaging in the service of the Government whan a mere boy, has for many years been numbered among the prominent and successful agriculturists of Clay County, Mo., and now resides upon his valuable homestead, located on section 2, township 52, range 32, and is well known as an energetic, resolute and industrious citizen. Our subject was born in 1825, in Lincoln County, Ky., and is the son of Pearl and Harriet (Taylor) Francis, who were born in the years 1799 and 1801, respectively. The paternal grandparents were Henry F. and Elizabeth (Pearl) Francis. Grandfather Francis was supposedly born in Virginia and reared in Kentucky. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in Little Rock, Ark., where he went about 1828. Pearl Francis was one of seven children, and remained upon the old Kentucky homestead throughout his boyhood, and attended the common schools of those early days. At nineteen years of age he married, and engaged in farming. Arriving in Missouri in 1828 with but very limited means, he located in Gasconade County, and purchased Governmant land. Later removing to Cole County, he owned a homestead of two hundred acres which was his home when, in 1850, on his way to California, he died of cholera at Ft. Laramie. He was a man of integrity and ability and served as constable for many years in Cole County The mother of our subject survived until 1863, and married a second time. The children of her first union were: Lunsford, deceased, who was with his father at the time of his death; Granville, deceased; Henry, who accompanied his father on the fatal journey, and died and was buried in the same grave; our subject, William J., who is next in order of birth; Amanda, deceased; Sopia, wife of Charles Peck; Ebenezer, who died in California; T. Morgan, who resides in California; Mary F., the wife of William Jackson, of California; Adeline, the wife of Robert Jackson, of Putnam County, Mo.; Robert, who lives in Arkansas, and Pearl, deceased. The stepfather of these children was a well-known citizen, James Burns. Judge Francis enlisted as a soldier at twenty years of age, engaging in the Mexican War in Company A. Missouri Infantry. He went out under Gen. Doniphan, but served most of the time under Gen. Price, and was also with the command of Gen. Kearny for a brief period, and fought in several battles of that historical campaign. In 1847, returning again th his home, he was for two years variously occupied, but during this time attended school. In 1849, our subject in company with many others crossed the plains to California, journeying by ox-teams, and was four and a-half months on the way. He mined on the Yuba River, near where Marysville now stands, and was quite successful in this venture. He continued mining operations one winter and spring and then began trading at different posts, and found this profitable for the time being. In 1850, aboard a sailing-vessel, he crossed at Panama, and proceeded upon his homeward way by steamer to New York, and from there jouirneyed via Philadelphia to Baltimore, and then to the Monongahela River and Ohio to Cairo, thence by boat to St. Louis, and from that city by boat to his destination. In a short time Judge Francis bought a farm near Jefferson City, and in 1852 married Miss Martha Waller, a daughter of Granville and Virginia Waller. Unto our subject and his estimable wife were born six children. The sons and daughters who bought sunshine into hte home were: William W.; Louisa, wife of James Collier, of Ft. Worth, Tes.; Mary, wife of French Boggess; Leona, wife of Frank Braly; Sally, wife of Price Boggess; and Emmet L. The mother of these brothers and sisters died in 1874, and in 1879 Judge Francis was united in marriage with Miss Abbie Ecton, daughter of John and Elizabeth )Brooks) Ecton. Mrs. Francis is the mother of one child, a daughter, Brooksie. Our subject owns one hundred and eighty acres of land purchased in 1866, and his wife also possesses one hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming property. Judge Francis and his wife are valued members of the Baptist and Christian Churches respectively and are always foremost in the good works of these religious denominations. Politically our subject is an active Democrat, and, enjoying the confidence of his party, was elected to his present honored position as County Judge November 8, 1892, and since ably discharging the duties of his office has proven himself most thoroughly well qualified to preside upon the judicial bench with dignity, efficiency and honor. End of ky-footsteps-digest V00 #111 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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