James
Sanford Francis
News Examiner, Thursday, 30 September
1937, page 1
James Francis, well known resident of Raymond for the past sixty years, died at his home Sunday, September 19th, from cancer, general debility and complications. Mr. Francis, who was truly a pioneer of this section, was born in the city of New York on March 5, 1840, the son of Michael and Jane (Rourke) both natives of Ireland, being the oldest of twelve children.
He received his early education in New York and in the public schools of Illinois. Upon leaving school he joined an overland train and came to the new placer mining discoveries in Last Chance, Montana, where the city of Helena is now located. Here he engaged in mining and was interested in the construction of the first quartz mill erected in Montana. After disposing of his interests in Montana, he moved to Leesburg, Idaho. He then located at Montpelier, where he followed hunting and trapping for two seasons, and then accepted a position in the employ of the Union railroad at Rawlins, Wyoming.
He then resigned for the purpose of engaging in business for himself and came to the vicinity of Cokeville, where he embarked in the business of getting out and hauling ties for the railroad. After some months he sold out and moved to Iowa for the next ten years. At the end of that time he again came west and located his ranch property near Raymond, where he engaged in the business of ranching and cattle raising. He had the distinction of being the first man to grow wheat in the Thomas Fork valley.
During the Civil War Mr. Francis enlisted at Racine, Wisconsin, and was sent to St Louis, Missouri, where he served a minor part. He was a man of character and while not a church going man, was ever ready to serve his master. In 1869 Mr. Francis was married to Catherine Bresswait. Two children of this union now are living, Michael W Francis of Cedar Falls, Washington and Mrs. Anna Zumhoff of Dubuque, Iowa. His first wife passed away in Iowa and on November 19, 1887, he married Miss Rebekah Price at Montpelier, who survives him; also the following children of the second marriage; Mrs. Nettie Twiss of Pegram, Mrs. Mary J McCumber of Woodinville, Washington; Mrs. Sadie B Schaffer and Keaton Francis of Los Angeles; James and William Richard Francis both of Raymond.
Funeral services were held September 22nd in the Montpelier First Ward Chapel, under the auspices of the Raymond Ward. The following songs were rendered by a quartette, "Rock of Ages" "I Need Thee Every Hour". The speakers were Fred C Evans, Eldon Cook and Gus Hart, while the pallbearers were Ray Francis, Keaton Francis, Clyde Wilde, Earl Wilde, Asa Evans and Andy Evans. Interment was made in the Montpelier cemetery.