Mills County, Iowa
History of Fremont and Mills County, 1901
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1901
Biographical Sketches
E - F

ESTES, EDWARD C.
        The broad prairies and rich pasture lands of Iowa afford an excellent opportunity to the stock-raiser, and the industry has become one of importance in the state, contributing in large measure to the general prosperity of the people. Among the representatives of this line of business is Edward C. Estes, who today is a successful stock-farmer, carrying on the enterprise on an extensive scale. His farm is in sections 19 and 20, Rawles township, and the improvements upon the place are such as facilitates his business affairs.
        Mr. Estes was born at his present abode, on the 1st of February 1870. His paternal grandfather, Littleton Estes was a native of Virginia and by trade was a ship carpenter and builder. For many years he was a resident of Kentucky and lived to an advanced age. In his family were four sons and two daughters who reached mature years. Among the number was Richard C. Estes, the father of our subject, who was born on the 14th of February, 1811, at Cross Plains, Kentucky, about eight miles from Lexington. When he had reached years of maturity he was married, and after the death of the first wife he wedded Miss Elizabeth Harrison, who was born in Indiana. She was at one time a student under a teacher who had been an instructor of Abraham Lincoln.
        Mr. and Mrs. Estes were married in Indiana on the 22d of February, 1848, and about 1850 they emigrated westward from Missouri, by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. They drove across the country to Mills county, Iowa, where the father secured a claim of three hundred acres of land. As the years passed he added to his property until he was at one time the owner of twelve hundred acres of valuable land. His success was certainly very creditable, for he started out in life as a poor fisherman and woodchopper in Kentucky, and for some years he followed those pursuits. Finally however, he gained some capital, and making judicious investments of this in land throughout the period of his career as an agriculturist, he continually added to his property until he became a man of wealth. His death occurred in 1887, when he was seventy-six years of age, and his wife passed away in 1891, at the age of sixty-four years. He had twelve children, of whom three died in infancy, and of the nine who reached mature years all are yet living with the exception of William, the half brother of our subject. The others are Pamelia, the wife of H. Delavan, of Rawles township, Mills county; Margaret, the wife of H. H. Delavan; Mrs. Nancy Browning, of Harrison county, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Roland, of Arkansas; G. W. who is living near Glenwood, Iowa; Mrs. Virginia Seeger, of Mills county; Mrs. Anna Seeger, of Rawles township; Mrs. Julia McClure, of the same township and Edward C.
        John Estes, who was the eldest brother of Richard C. Estes, served in the war of 1812, enlisting at Lexington, Kentucky. He was in the battle with Richard M. Johnson, his cousin, when the Indian chief, Tecumseh was killed,-shot by Johnson, who was foremost in the charge. When the Indians rallied he met the chief in a hand to hand contest. John Estes was engaged in taking flatboats on the Mississippi river to New Orleans, whence he would return on foot to his Kentucky home. These were the days when Kentucky was called the dark and bloody ground on account of the atrocious cruelty and deeds of violence committed by the Indians. Mr. Estes of this review has often heard his father relate the story concerning the finding of a corpse of an Indian which had been placed in a rough box that was by chains fastened in the crotch of a tree, where it was left for several years. The place was one and a half miles from the Estes farm. The Indian was undoubtedly a chief, thus elevated so that he could see the game as it passed over the happy hunting ground.
        Edward C. Estes, whose name introduces this record, acquired his education in the district schools. He was the youngest of his father's family and was reared to farm life. He has always resided in Mills county and is well known among its people. In the year 1891 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McClure, who was born in Scott township, Fremont county, Iowa, and is a daughter of J. B. McClure. Their union has been blessed with four children. Lucy I, and Gilbert, who are aged respectively nine and six years and are now attending school; Goldie, who is four years old; and Edward M., the baby, born in November, 1900.
        Mr. Estes owns a farm of three hundred and eighty-five acres, which was originally a part of the old homestead. He makes a specialty of raising stock and fruit. His apple orchard comprises eighty acres and the fine fruits there produced find a ready sale upon the market and command the best prices. In his pastures may be seen one hundred head of good cattle and he annually sells from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five Poland China hogs. His farm is well arranged for the conduct of his business and everything is carried on along progressive lines. The neat, thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful and energetic spirit. In his political views he is a Democrat and he has held the office of justice of the peace, but has never sought or desired the rewards of office. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, contributing liberally to its support and taking an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. Mr. Estes is a splendid type of the stalwart Kentuckian, standing six feet and four inches in height, while his weight is one hundred and eighty pounds. He is built on the broad-gauge plan, physically, morally and socially. He keeps thoroughly informed concerning the questions of general interest, both politically and otherwise, and is a splendid example of an enterprising agriculturist, widely known for his sterling worth and upright character, as well as for his success in business affairs. Mrs. Estes is a most estimable lady and they both have the warm regard of a large circle of friends.

ESTES, GEORGE H.
        George H. Estes is one of the leading stock men of Mills county, possessing the qualifications essential to success. In his youth the elements of success lay dormant in his nature awaiting the awakening touch of effort, and as he passed into manhood he put forth his energies, prompted by a determined and enterprising spirit, and today he stands among the prosperous residents of the community in which he is located. His standing in the county is indicated by the fact that he is now a leading member of the board of supervisors. He represents one of the old families of this community, his birth having occurred in Lyons township, Mills county, March 14, 1863, his parents being William M. and Hester A. (Linville) Estes.
        Upon the old home farm George H. Estes was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He pursued his studies in the public schools near his home and when about twenty years of age went to Colorado, spending the succeeding ten years in that state, Kansas and in New Mexico. While in the west he was engaged in the stock business. On the expiration of that decade he returned to Mills county, where he has continued to reside and through the last ten years he has been extensively engaged in the raising, purchase and sale of stock. He buys and sells many head of cattle each year and annually feeds about three hundred head. He also does an extensive trade in horses and mules and is recognized as one of the best judges of stock in the county. He owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Platteville township, Mills county, and also has a similar amount in Logan county, Nebraska. His broad fields therefore afford good crops for the stock and in the meadows horses and cattle have fine pasturage.
        On the 16th of October, 1892, Mr. Estes was united in marriage to Miss Eleanora Mayberry, who was born in Ohio, and in her maidenhood came with her parents to Mills county. She died January 9, 1891 (sic), at the age of thirty-three years and four months, leaving two children, Winifred and Claudie. She was a devoted wife and mother and her loss was deeply mourned by the family and many friends. Mr. Estes is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is one of the leading and valued citizens of his locality. His political support is given to the Democracy and he takes an active part in promoting its growth and success in Mills county. In 1900 he was elected a member of the board of county supervisors by a majority of thirty-three, being the only Democrat upon the county ticket chosen at the November election of that year. This fact certainly indicates his wide popularity and the confidence reposed in him, and stands for evident force of character and sterling worth. He is now an active member of the board and does all in his power to promote the welfare of the county. Almost his entire life has been passed in this community and his creditable record is manifest in the fact that many who have known him from his boyhood are numbered among his staunchest friends.

EVANS, MARION L.
        One of the most prominent residents of Emerson, Mills county, Iowa, is Marion L. Evans, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, June 30, 1858, a son of John and Sarah Y. Evans. The father, John Evans, Jr., was one of the old and prominent settlers of Mills county, although he now resides in Illinois. He still owns large tracts of land and great herds of stock in Iowa, and although advanced in years he makes many flying trips to this section to superintend them. In December 1892, he took the best train load of fine stock to the stock yards at Chicago that was ever shipped to that point, a record having been kept.
        Mr. Evans, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the common schools of his native county and at Monmouth College, same state, and came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1879. In connection with his father he carries on an extensive stock business, recently shipping a lot of cattle worth forty-three thousand dollars. They are probably the largest buyers and shippers of live stock in this section of the state. Mr. Evans is also the president of the Farmers Bank of Emerson. Socially he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Knight Templar and Scottish rite Masonry, in which organization he takes an active interest.
        June 28, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Tubbs, a daughter of the late Judge L. W. Tubbs, and his interesting family now comprises six children: Edith L., John L., Frank N., Marion L. Jr., Volney and Kenneth.

EVERNHAM, HENRY Jr.
        Henry Evernham, Jr., the well-known and popular proprietor of the Commercial House, of Glenwood, Iowa, was born on the 3d of January 1853, in Trenton, New Jersey, and belongs to a family of English origin that was founded in that state by three brothers. His father, Henry Evernham, Sr., was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 8, 1815, a son of Henry and Rebecca (James) Evernham, also natives of Monmouth county, where the former, a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the latter at the age of forty. they were the parents of four children, three of whom are still living. From the age of eight years the father of our subject was reared in Mercer county, New Jersey. There he was married, June 15, 1839, to Miss Euphemia Butcher, a native of that county and a daughter of Thomas and Euphemia (Combs) Butcher, life long residents of New Jersey, where her father died at the age of thirty-nine years, her mother at the age of fifty-five. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Anna (Basnette) Butcher, members of the Society of Friends. The Butcher family is of English descent, while the Basnettes were among the Huguenots who were driven out of France. A fortune of three million dollars was left to the family in that country.
        For some years after his marriage Henry Evernham, Sr., followed farming in Mercer county, New Jersey, and then spent seven years in the city of Trenton, where he at first worked by the day and later engaged in teaming for five years. For a quarter of a century he has now made his home in Mills county, Iowa, and has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His home farm consists of five hundred acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and his landed possessions now aggregate eight hundred acres. Enterprising, energetic and industrious, his success has been worthily achieved, and he is now one of the most substantial men of his community. Originally he was an old line Whig in politics, but since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party and has served as judge of elections and as a member of the school board. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist church, and is highly respected by all who know him. Of his five children four are still living, namely: Amos B., who is married and has five children; Furman, who is married and has two children; Henry Jr., our subject; and Ellison, who is married and has three children..
        After completing his education Henry Evernham, Jr., assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself as an agriculturist. He bought ten horses, three cows and two pigs, and followed general farming until 1875, when he purchased the established business and dairy route of a man in Trenton, New Jersey, paying for the same two hundred and fifty dollars. He kept sixteen milk cows and did quite a successful business for a time, but finally sold out and resumed farming.
        On the 16th of September, 1876, Mr. Evernham was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Taylor, who was born near Trenton, New Jersey, and was educated by a private teacher and in the schools of Bordentown, that state. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school for a time. Her father, Tilton C. Taylor, was also born near Trenton, a son of Israel and Patience Taylor, and came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1880, locating on a farm, where he died at the age of sixty-six years. By occupation he was a farmer and veterinary surgeon. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Vanderbeck, was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, and is still living on the old home farm in this county. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evernham have two children: Florence G., born in Trenton, New Jersey; and Euphemia, born in Glenwood, Iowa.
        In 1882, with his wife and daughter, Mr. Evernham removed to Mills county, Iowa, where three years before he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Here he followed farming until 1884, when he traded his farm for the hotel property which he now owns, taking possession of the same on the 17th of July. In 1893 he built an annex, and about 1887 bought another hotel. Genial and pleasant in manner he has proved a popular host, and his hotel has become a favorite resort with the traveling public. The hotel, which is of brick, has sixty-two rooms, is located on the public square and is a well-appointed establishment in every particular. In business affairs Mr. Evernham has steadily prospered and besides his city property he now owns three farms, which he rents. He has one hundred and sixty acres at Pacific Junction, while altogether they aggregate four hundred and twenty-two acres. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
        Since casting his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, Mr. Evernham has been identified with the Republican party. Before attaining his majority he took an active part in the Grant campaign of 1868, and has labored untiringly for the interests of his party, though he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. For six years he represented the third ward in the city council, and has always given his influence and support to all measures for the public good. He and his family hold membership in the Baptist church, and his wife is especially active in all church work.

- F - FICKEL, ELI
        Among those farmers who have made comfortable homes and gained much of this world's desirable goods by the efforts of their own hands, is Eli Fickel, the subject of this sketch, who resides upon one of the finest farms in Mills county, Iowa. He was born in Perry county, Ohio, November 13, 1830, a son of John and Rachel Fickel, the former of whom was born in Perry county, but died in Putnam county, Ohio, aged seventy-two. The latter was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and died in Mills county, Iowa, in her ninety-fifth year. Her parents were Peter and Mary Barnett, who were born in Baltimore, but died in Ohio.
        Our subject was reared to farm life and had few educational advantages. Until twenty-one years of age he remained with his parents, but was married about that time to Catherine Madden, who died, leaving him one son. He had settled on a farm in Putnam county and it was not until after his second marriage, with Martha J. Madden, a cousin of his first wife, that he came to his present home. Mr. Fickel here owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine land, beginning with eighty acres, and has earned this large and productive estate by his own labor. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising, being very successful in both lines.
        Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fickel, seven still survive. Two of those who died left children. The youngest child died when only a few weeks old. Mr. Fickel is a member of the Democratic party, thoroughly believing in its principles. He cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce and ever since has supported the candidates of his party. For years Mr. Fickel has been one of the efficient members of the school board, taking great interest in educational matters. Mrs. Fickel died at the age of forty-five. during life she had been, with her husband, a consistent member of the Methodist church. Mr. Fickel is active in Sunday-school work, being superintendent and is highly esteemed by the residents of Malvern and vicinity.

FIELD, NELSON CURTIS
        In the promotion and conservation of advancement in all the normal lines of human progress and civilization there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion. Glenwood has been signally favored in the character of its newspapers, which have been vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this favored section of the Union, to aid in laying fast and sure the foundations of an enlightened commonwealth, to further the ends of justice and to uphold the banner of Iowa. In a compilation of this nature then it is clearly incumbent that due recognition be accorded the newspaper press of the state. One of the capable representatives of the press in Mills county is Nelson Curtis Field.
        A native son of the Hawkeye state, he has always been closely identified with its interests and has labored earnestly for its welfare along many lines. He was born in Pottawattamie county, April 13, 1868, a son of Arminius J. and Aurelia (Sellers) Field. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm, and while he worked in the fields in the summer months, aiding in plowing, planting and harvesting, in the winter season he improved the opportunities for education afforded by the common schools. Desirous of enjoying more advanced privileges, he continued farm work until he had earned money sufficient to enable him to enter school elsewhere. He matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in the literary department with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, being the youngest member of the class of 1890, numbering one hundred and fifty graduates in the literary department. He afterward engaged in school-teaching for a year, and then turned his attention to journalistic work, in 1891 establishing the Mills County Tribune, of which he has since been the editor and proprietor, conducting the paper with continuous success up to the present time. He began the publication of this journal in connection with N. T. Bradway, who soon withdrew from the firm, however, being succeeded by F. M. Buffington, who retired from the business in 1895, leaving Mr. Field the sole owner. This journal is creditable to the city and county in which it is published, and is an excellent news organ and advertising medium. Its circulation is constantly increasing and its business affairs are in a prosperous condition.
        Since the first year in which he attended college Mr. Field has given his political support to the Democracy. Believing firmly in its principles, he strongly supports its doctrines and upholds its banners. He was made a candidate for state senator on the Democratic ticket in the senatorial district composed of Mills and Montgomery counties, but was defeated on account of the overwhelming Republican majority in the district. He began business about nine years ago with no capital, but through his paper and other judicious investments he has become one of the most substantial citizens of the community and today owns seven fine farms, aggregating one thousand and fifteen acres, besides a large amount of town property which brings to him a good income. All that he has acquired is the reward of his well-directed labors guided by sound business judgment, and his life stands an exemplification of what may be accomplished through determined purpose.
        Mr. Field is a member of the Congregational church. On the 7th of January, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Buffington, a member of one of the oldest and most influential families in Mills county, but their happy married life was of short duration, for Mrs. Field passed away the following May. One of Mr. Field's contemporaries in the journalistic field has given us the following pen picture. "Mr. Field is an exceptionally bright and brainy young man, of scrupulously clean and temperate habits. He makes a success of whatever he undertakes. He is universally acknowledged to be one of the brightest and ablest newspaper men in the state, and now that he enters the political field, we predict for him a successful career." Another journalist said: "Mr. Field is a man of marked individuality, of strong purpose and remarkable energy.

FLANAGAN, JOHN G.
        The subject of this sketch traces his lineage to an old Irish family, several members of which have become prominent in various lines of activity. John Flanagan, his grandfather, was born and reared in Ireland, where his eldest son, Peter, was born about 1819. About 1825 he came to America, where he died in middle life, leaving a widow and two sons and a daughter. He located in Maryland, where he engaged in freighting, driving six-horse teams employed in that service. His three children all married and have families and all came west. Peter, his oldest son, was born in Ireland, became a farmer in Nebraska and died there in 1896, aged about seventy-seven years. His daughter Catherine, known in the family as "Aunt Catherine," married James Davis, who became a farmer in Nebraska, where she died at an advanced age, leaving one daughter.
        His younger son, John, father of John G. Flanagan, was born in Maryland, January, 1827, and died in December, 1898, and his wife, Mary A. Piles, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August 28, 1831, and married Mr. Flanagan in her native state, March 20, 1851. She was the daughter of James Piles, who married a Miss English, and lived one year afterward in Guernsey county, Ohio, and then moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, where they remained between three and four years. After a short stay in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, they removed in 1856 to Atchison county, Missouri, and there John G. Flanagan, the subject of this sketch, was born, November 9, 1857. Soon after that event they returned to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where, in March, 1863, they bought and settled on four hundred acres of land, acquired at four dollars an acre, but they had to go in debt for most of it. There stood on their property a small frame house which is a part of the more pretentious residence standing there at this time. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan reared their family there and lived there until the spring of 1887, when they moved to Malvern, where they lived retired from active life until they died, Mrs. Flanagan in December, 1896, and Mr. Flanagan just three years later. they were laid to rest in East Liberty cemetery. They had eleven children, concerning whom some information will be afforded in the following statements: Sarah, born April 16, 1852, married Thomas McCoy, and has ten children, she lives in Kansas. Charles T., has traveled extensively in the west since 1883 and is living in California, unmarried. Thomas B., was born in Indiana, January 18, 1856. John G. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Emma, born November 11, 1859, is the wife of Edwin Morse and lives in Nebraska. She has had four children, two of whom are dead. Amanda J., born in Mills county, Iowa, September 13, 1861 is the widow of John Nickerson and lives in Malvern, Iowa. Walter A., was born July 23, 1863, and died November 23, 1868. Wilmie was born April 23, 1865, and died April 16, 1866. Frank was born March 19, 1867, and when a young man went to California, where he was married in 1899. Edward Martin was born November 11, 1868, and died March 20, 1888. Lee Webster was born May 30, 1871, and died November 5, 1878.
        John G. Flanagan received a common school education and was reared to farm life. He worked on his father's farm until the spring of 1883 and then went to central Kansas, where he was married, March 31, 1886, to Miss Blanche E. Crawford, born in Lorain county, Ohio, August 23, 1865, a daughter of John W. and Sarah J. (Robertson) Crawford. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were natives of Ohio. They went to Kansas in 1881 and there Mr. Crawford died at the age of forty-four years, leaving a widow, three daughters and two sons. The eldest son, Bert Crawford, of Oklahoma, is married and has five children. Ida M., is the wife of W. B. Essick, of Ellsworth, Kansas; Maud A., Mrs. Flanagan's twin sister, married Edwin Walker, has four sons and lives in Kansas; Charles C., is living in Kansas, unmarried. Mrs. Crawford, mother of these children, is residing in Ellsworth, Kansas. Mrs. Flanagan removed with her parents to Kansas and at sixteen years of age she began teaching school in Ellsworth county, which profession she followed for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan have had three children: Roy A., the eldest, was born February 4, 1887, in Ellsworth, Kansas, and is now in school. Ella Maud, also in school, was born April 29, 1889, in Mills county, Iowa. Neva May was born March 7, 1895 and died February 5, 1897.
        In December 1888, Mr. Flanagan returned from Kansas to his old home, accompanied by his family, and has since been farming on the Flanagan homestead, which he bought for ten thousand dollars. He has come to the front as a stock-farmer and raises and fattens beef cattle, which he sells to Omaha and Chicago, shipping about twelve car-loads per year; and he raises and sells also about two hundred fat swine each year. He raises some colts and keeps about twenty horses. He began handling sheep in 1900 by purchasing two hundred and fifty head. He does general farming, selling such of his products as are not required for his stock. He cuts about one hundred tons of hay each year and has about one hundred and twenty-five acres planted to corn, and in addition to his own large crop is usually obliged to buy more corn for feeding.
        Politically Mr. Flanagan is a Democrat and he has served his fellow townsmen as justice of the peace two terms. He was elected assessor in 1898 and still holds that office, and wields considerable influence in the councils of his party. His judgment in business affairs is excellent and he is regarded as one of the foremost stockmen in his part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan are both young appearing and are active socially. Their domestic life is a happy one and their geniality and generous hospitality have won them hosts of friends.

FRANCIS, JAMES SIMEON
        The subject of this personal narrative is one of the successful and progressive farmers of Mills county, his home being in Silver Creek township. He has made his special field of industry an eminent success, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
        Mr. Francis was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, on the 24th of January , 1838, a son of Lymon and Rachel (Fuller) Francis, both natives of New York. His paternal grandparents, Simeon Francis and wife, spent their entire lives in the Empire state, and the maternal grandparents, Abial and Dezier (Stephens) Fuller, were also residents of New York, though the former was born in Massachusetts.
        The father of our subject was a farmer and carpenter and devoted his later years to wagon making. He also was a shoemaker throughout the greater part of his life. In 1835, he removed with his family to Michigan, where he made his home until 1851, and then went to Illinois, but three years later came to Iowa, locating in Benton county, where his last days were spent. His death occurred when he was a little past sixty-eight years of age. His wife had died in the spring of 1851, when more than forty-three years of age. In their family were twelve children, six of whom are still living.
        During his minority James Simeon Francis remained with his father, and although he commenced life for himself at the age of twenty-one he continued under the parental roof until his marriage. In the meantime, however, he was in the service of his country for three years during the Rebellion. On the 6th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain William Gaston, who in turn, was succeeded by the following: J. A. Shutts, John A. Palmer and William McGuire. Mr. Francis participated in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment took part with the exception of the time he was confined to the hospital. For three months he was in the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, and was then transferred to the hospital in Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for five months. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 12, 1865. His health being permanently impaired he now receives a pension from the government.
        In March 1866, Mr. Francis was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hawley, also a native of Kalamazoo county, Michigan. The parents of Mrs. Francis were Sheldon and Eliza (Hawey) Hawley, both natives of New York. They died in Benton county, Iowa, the father at sixty-eight years of age, and the mother at the age of seventy-six years and nine months. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born five children, four of whom are still living namely: Frank D., who is married and has one son and one daughter; William E., who married Miss Lizzie Jackson, of Silver Creek township, December 19, 1900, and resides near his father; Della E., who is married and has one daughter; and Iva E., at home. All have received good educational advantages and are now residents of Iowa.
        As previously stated, Mr. Francis began his business career at the age of twenty-one, and was successfully engaged in farming in Benton county for several years, owning and operating a well improved place of eighty acres. In 1883 however, he removed to Mills county and purchased the Davis farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Silver Creek township. Under his careful supervision it is made to yield a bountiful return for the care and labor bestowed upon it, and is today one of the most desirable places of its size in the locality.
        Since attaining his majority Mr. Francis has affiliated with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. While a resident of Benton county he served as township trustee and has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs. He and his family attend the Christian church at Malvern, and are people of the highest respectability.

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