Francis C. Madison

MADISON, COTTS, TOMPKINS, PRESTON, BEMIS, PURDY, WILLARD, CRAWFORD

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 10/16/2004 at 20:47:24

Francis C. Madison, farmer, section 34, Lodomillo Township,
was born in Todd County, Ky., March 12, 1822, and was the son of Reuben C. and
Winnifred (Cotts) Madison, both of Virginia. Mrs. Madison was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. They had eight children, of whom five are living.
Francis C. was the seventh child and third son. At the age of eight years, he
removed with his parents to Fulton County, Ill., settling at Lewiston. His
father died in 1834, his mother in 1838, at which time Francis was sixteen years
old. After a year and a half he began work as an apprentice at the mason's
trade, working with John Tompkins three years. He then worked for farmers in
summer, and at a mill in winter, till he was twenty-one. Then he came to Ead's
Grove, Delaware County, Iowa, in company with Isaac Preston and Horace Bemis and
families. The following April he came to Lodomillo Township. Remaining with
Isaac Preston four years, he was married to Elizabeth Purdy, in November, 1848;
one child, Ervin C., was the result of this marriage. January, 1849, he settled
on section 34, where he has since lived. Mrs. Madison died June 16, 1850. In
December, 1852, Mr. Madison married Maria Willard, of Wisconsin, daughter of
Edward and Louisa Willard. She died in 1855, and he married Julia A. Crawford,
July 31, 1856. They have five children--Wilbor C., at school at Fayette; Motier
C., studying law at Elkader; Curtis B., Eliza M. and Harriet M. Mr. Madison
owns 160 acres of land, about ninety under cultivation. Has been Constable,
Justice of the Peace and Trustee, and has held various local offices of trust
and honor. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Madison and four of
their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 895-896