Biographical Sketch of John FRANCIS (1893); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris <jmcdmorris@comcast.net>.

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Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl-
vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley
and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadel-
phia, PA, 1893, page 803.

"JOHN FRANCIS, whose life has been one of industry and usefulness, is one
of the highly respected citizens and successful business men of Kimberton.
He is the fifth son of Joseph and Susannah (Snyder) Francis, and was born
October 17, 1816, in East Pikeland township, this county.  He spent his
boyhood on the farm, received his education in the common and select
schools of his neighborhood, and then assisted his father in farming until
1838.  In that year he embarked in the milling business, which he left
nine years later to resume farming and was successfully engaged therein
until 1877, when he came to Kimberton, where he immediately established
his present flour, feed and coal business.  He is honest and reliable in
all his transactions, has a good trade, and enjoys the respect of all with
whom he has dealings.  In addition to his business interests at Kimberton,
he owns a well cultivated farm of forth-three acres of land.  Mr. Francis
holds to the principles of the Democratic party, which he has always given
a hearty support.  He is a member of the German Reformed church of Kimber-
ton, and is ever interested and always active in religious affairs.

"John Francis is a descendant of the Francis family of Montgomery county,
of English lineage, and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Francis, was a
farmer and life long resident of that county.  He was a member of the
Dunkard or German Baptist church.  One of his sons was Joseph Francis,
father of the subject of this sketch.  He was born and reared in Montgom-
ery county, from which he removed in early life to East Pikeland township,
this county, where he spent the remainder of his days in agricultural pur-
suits.  He was a democrat in politics and a member of the Dunkard church,
and died at his home in East Pikeland at an advanced age.  He married
Susannah Snyder, who passed away when in the sixtieth year of her age.
They reared a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter: Thomas,
Casper, Arnold, Joseph, John, Henry and Mary A., now dead.

"In 1844 John Francis was united in marriage with Eliza Defrain, daughter
of Bernard and Rebecca Defrain, of Chester county.  To Mr. and Mrs.
Francis have been born two children, a son and a daughter: Arnold, now
deceased; and Lydia, the wife of Charles Small, a resident and merchant
of the city of Philadelphia."