Chauncey Francis

FRANCIS, GRIDER, BROWN, TIPPETT

Posted By: Deb barker (email)
Date: 11/6/2005 at 21:49:38

Pg 1063-64
CHAUNCEY A FRANCIS- In the public service, civilian and military, since 1935, Chauncey A Francis is now County Assessor of Davis County, with headquarters at the county seat, Bloomfield. He has been clerk of the Iowa District Court in the Second Judicial District, at Bloomfield, and County Auditor as well as county Assessor. In World War II, he served with the United States Army’s Medical Administrative Corps. He is a leader in veteran’s affairs and in fraternal and civic organizations and for years was associated with the Boy Scout movement.
Mr Francis was born in Davis County on June 26, 1911, the son of Fred and Mamie (Tippett) Francis. His father, also a native of the county operated a barber shop at Pulaski until his death in 1914. The mother, who was born in Missouri, died in 1913.
The future County Assessor was reared in the City of Bloomfield. In 1929, he was graduated from the Bloomfield High School and for a time he studied in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois. Then, for a period, he worked in various fields. In January, 1935, Mr Francis began his public career. His first office was that of Deputy Clerk of the District Court. After he had held this post 4 years, he became a candidate for Clerk and, elected to the higher office, assumed his duties in January, 1939. He served 3 terms, and was nearing the end of the 3rd when he took a leave of absence, a military leave to enter the United States Army.
Commissioned a second lieutenant, Mr Francis was attached to the Medical Administrative Corps and stationed, successively at Camp Barclay, Texas; Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and Fort Riley, Kansas. He was promoted to first Lieutenant before his separation from the service was finalized on February 27, 1946.
Mr Francis then returned to Bloomfield. Later that same year he was elected County Auditor, but he served only one year, resigning to accept the office of County Assessor.
In the political world, Mr Francis was first, for several years, president of the Young Democratic Club of Davis County and, then secretary of the Democratic Central Committee of Davis County. He is past commander of the Reed-Whisler Post No 78, American Legion, in Bloomfield. He is also past master of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Bloomfield; past noble grand of the Bloomfield Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; past president of the Bloomfield Junior Chamber of Commerce, and is currently serving as treasurer and director of the Bloomfield Country Club. He worships in the Christian Church. For recreation he is fond of all outdoor sports. He is a former Scoutmaster of a cub scout Troop.
Mr Francis married Helen Brown, in Bloomfield, in 1929. Mrs Francis is the daughter of Earl and Verna (Grider) Brown. Her father, who was born in Missouri, died some years ago. The mother, a native of Davis County, resides in Bloomfield. Mrs Francis is also active in the American Legion Auxiliary, the Tri-T Club, the Rebekahs and the Bloomfield Chapter of the Order of The Eastern Star. Mr and Mrs Francis are the parents of Shirley A Francis, who was born in January, 1931. Graduated from the Bloomfield High School in 1948, Miss Francis is receptionist at the Gilfillan Clinic in Bloomfield. The Francis home is at 305 West Popular Street, Bloomfield.