Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 730 - 733 

WILLIAM FRANCIS, of Grant Township has a most eligible location on section 18, there being five towns within a radius of thirteen miles around him, and is consequently convenient to market, church and school, which fact renders his property extremely valuable. He owns and occupies 160 acres of fertile land in a good state of cultivation, upon which he has erected a substantial set of farm buildings. He has a choice assortment of live stock, including high-grade Norman horses, Short-horn cattle and well-bred Poland‑China swine. His family consists of an amiable and intelligent wife, with three bright children, the latter named respectively: Franklin, Avis and Lotie, who are all at home and pursuing their studies in the district school. In a home surrounded by all the comforts of life it would seem that here at least might be contentment and happiness.

             Mr. Francis was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 17, 1850, where he received his education, completing his studies in the academy at Parishville, and in the meantime acquiring a good knowledge of general farming, which has been his employment the greater part of his life. He is of excellent Welsh ancestry, his grandfather, William Francis, having been born in Wales, and came to this country in time to serve as a soldier during the troubles of 1812. His father, James Francis, was a native of the Empire State, where William Francis had settled, married, and reared his family. James Francis continued on the farm of his father in Jefferson County, N. Y., and upon reaching manhood was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stevens, who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband. The latter was educated for the ministry and became a member of the Northern New York Methodist Conference, laboring in the Master's vineyard upon his native soil until the day of his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife Sarah, the mother of our subject, had preceded her husband to the silent land, her death occurring in 1879. Her parents were also natives of New York State, where they spent their entire lives.

             William Francis continued a resident of his native county until reaching his majority, and was married in Potsdam, on the 30th of August, 1871, to Miss Viola Ellis, a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and who was born Aug. 1, 1847. Mrs. Francis was the eldest child of Franklin and Cynthia (Pelsue) Ellis, who, with their parents, were born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y , and carried on agricultural pursuits. Grandfather Pelsue was a soldier in the War of 1812, and spent his last years in St. Lawrence County, N. Y.

             After marriage our subject and his wife settled on a farm in St. Lawrence County, where they continued with the exception of one year until their removal to this State. That year Mr. Francis spent in prospecting for a home, and found nothing which suited his ideas better than the general outlook in Sedgwick County.

             Mr. Francis located in Grant Township in the spring of 1880, and for three years thereafter rented land on section 5. In the spring of 1882 he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie` land on section 18, upon which he at once commenced operations, and the year following put up his present residence. He has since added by degrees the various other buildings required for the successful carrying on of agriculture, the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. The last eighty acres were added in the spring of 1884, and the whole has been brought to a good state of cultivation.

             Our subject has not been very active in politics, preferring to give his time and attention to his family and farming interests, and quite willing to leave the offices to those anxious for them. He is not indifferent, however, to the welfare of his country, and believes thoroughly in Republican principles, which he uniformly supports by his voice and vote. He and his estimable wife are believers in the Christian religion, and contribute as their means will allow to religious and charitable purposes.

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