Biography - James Francis
JAMES S. FRANCIS, a merchant of Vienna, Johnson County, and member of the State Board of Equalization, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., October 6, 1851. His father, Armistead Francis, was born in Virginia, December 25, 1823, and his father, Calvin Francis, was also a native of Virginia. Calvin, who was a son of Ephraim Francis, was reared, educated and married in Virginia. He removed from that State to Tennessee, residing there for a time in Smith and Wilson Counties, and afterward in Weakley County, where he engaged in farming and spent his last days.
Armistead Francis was reared on a farm and resided in Tennessee until 1853. Then with his wife and two children he removed to Illinois, making the removal with his team. He settled in Tunnel Hill Township, entered a tract of Government land and bought an improved farm, upon which he still resides. The maiden name of his wife was Mary E. Dorothy. She was born in Williamson County, September 23, 1823, and was the daughter of Dennis and Sallie (McLain) Dorothy. Her father was a native of Tennessee and removed from that State to Williamson County, Ill., when that was a new county, and there spent the last years of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. He and his wife were the parents of three children: Sarah E., James S. and Nettie.
James S. Francis received his early education in the public schools of Johnson County, and afterward attended McKendree College, at Lebanon, Ill. He began teaching when seventeen years of age and taught four winter terms of school. He remained on the farm until the fall of 1880, when he removed to Vienna, and in 1885 became interested in his present business, to which he has directed his entire attention since 1889. In that year he formed a partnership with Robert T. Hood, his present partner. They carry a large stock of groceries, hardware, tinware, farming implements, etc.
Mr. Francis was married in 1872 to Nannie E. Hogg, a native of Vienna Township, Johnson County, and a daughter of James N. and Rebecca E. (Hawick) Hogg, and to their marriage there have been born six children: James E., Charles H., Walter H., William H., Fay and George B. He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant for President in 1872. In 1880 he was elected Circuit Court Clerk, and in 1884 he was re-elected to the same position, thus serving in that office eight years. In 1888, he was elected a member of the State Board of Equalization and still holds that position. He is a member of Vienna Lodge No. 150, A. F. & A. M., and also of Mayflower Lodge, K. & L. of H.
Extracted 16 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, page 572.
