Aaron B. Francis (1937)

FRANCIS, FAIRHOLM, CRONK

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 12/16/2008 at 13:46:02

Earlham Library Collection
Earlham Echo

Funeral services were held September 11th at the Panther Creek U. B. Church, five miles west of Adel for Aaron B. Francis of near Earlham, whose death occurred at the State University hospital at Iowa City, September 8th. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. L. B. Foster assisted by Rev. L. L. Morse. Musical selections were given by Mr. and Mrs. Will Hougham, Mrs. L. B. Foster and Otto Counch. Interment was at the Panther Creek cemetery.

At the services the following obituary was read:

Aaron B. Francis, son of Richard and Sarah Francis, was born March 16, 1853 in Butler county, Ohio, and passed away at the hospital in Iowa City, September 8, 1937, at the age of 84 years, five months and 22 days.

When he was 15 months old he moved with his parents to Indiana. When he was about 10 years old his father was killed in the Civil War.

December 1, 1880 he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Fairholm of Earlham, Iowa. To this union were born five sons and one daughter. Three sons died in infancy.

The wife, close companion of nearly 57 years, and three children survive. The children are William at home, Arthur R. of Indianola, and Mrs. Iva Cronk of Earlham. Five grandchildren, Harold Francis, Robert, Mary, Richard and Jean Cronk also survives.

His married life was spent in Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin, moving from Wisconsin back to Iowa in June 1936.

Three brothers preceded him in death.

He became a Christian when a young man and lived a beautiful, clean life. At the time of his death he was a member of the Methodist church at Sarona, Wisconsin, having transferred his membership from the Panther Creek United Brethren church.