A. Allen Francis

ALLEN FRANCIS. Intimately associated with the history of New Lenox Township, throughout his entire life, Mr. Francis long held a conspicuous position among its stock-raisers and land-owners. For years before his death he was the owner of one of the finest stock farms in the county. Through the exercise of his remarkable business ability he became the owner of over one thousand acres of land, besides which he had other valuable interests. Nor was his success merely that of gaining ample means, but he was also successful in winning the confidence of his associates and the affectionate regard of his friends. As an instance of the esteem in which he was held, it may be mentioned that when, after having served as president of the Farmers’ Institute since 1888, he expressed a desire to retire from the office in 1898, there was a unanimous demand for his continuance. When he finally consented, a demonstration was given him that will not soon be forgotten by those who were present. Perhaps greater enthusiasm was never shown for a citizen of Will County than was exhibited at that time.

On the farm where his entire life was spent Mr. Francis was born September 7, 1840, the oldest son of Abraham and Mary A. J. (Davison) Francis, natives respectively of County Cavan, Ireland, and Adams County, Ohio. He was educated in country schools and the Joliet high school. From an early age he was interested in the raising of cattle, in which he was uniformly successful. In New Lenox Township, September 15, 1870, he married Miss Lizzie J. Haven, who was born here March 31, 1849, and received her education in common schools and Dearborn Seminary, Chicago. She was a daughter of

Hon. Dwight Haven (see sketch on another page) and was the eldest of his family of five daughters and one son. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Francis were born five children, of whom two are living, namely: Mary L., wife of W. Foster Burns, an attorney in Chicago; and Daisy H. There was also an adopted daughter, Anna H., Mrs. Willis I. Doig, of Joliet, who was a member of the household from the age of four years.

When a young man Mr. Francis became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Lenox, of which he was a trustee; he also served as treasurer of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new church. For years he was superintendent and treasurer of the New Lenox Camp Meeting Association, the success of which was in a large measure due to his indefatigable efforts. Nor did his interest in this movement wane. Up to the last he labored for its welfare, and even after his fatal illness began he was on the camp meeting grounds to see that the work was progressing satisfactorily. He was a stockholder in the Will County National Bank and had moneyed interests in other local enter prices. In his business transactions he was systematic and exact; a man of the utmost probity, whose integrity was never questioned and whose character was above reproach. Ever guardful of the best interests of his township, he was one of its most progressive citizens, and as a Republican he took an active part in the political life of the community. At one time he was president and a director of the Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Will County and the New Lenox Fire Insurance Company. He was a firm friend of the public school system and served efficiently as a school director of his district. All enter prices having for their object the good of the locality, or the increase of its material wealth, found in him an advocate and friend, and his township had no resident more closely identified with its progress than was he.

His strength as a leading Republican was shown at the Republican convention of 1898, when his friends, against his wishes, nominated him for state senator.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

“Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove by death Hon. A. Allen Francis, our beloved friend and president, from our midst, and

“Whereas, In the various relations of life, as husband, father, brother, friend, officer, neighbor, citizen, he was devoted, affectionate, kind, true, efficient, sympathetic and public-spirited, each day living a noble and exemplary life; Therefore be it

“ Resolved, By the Will County Farmers’ Institute, in session assembled this eleventh day of January, A. D., 1900, fully realizing his good influence and in his death our great loss, we desire to bear testimony to his worth and offer this loving tribute of precious memory and respect. Be it also further

“ Resolved, That we extend to his wife and family our heartfelt sympathy in their great bereavement, and would fain place by the side of their the kindred feeling of sympathy and of sorrow.

On every hand-were heard expressions of regret at the loss of a citizen so progressive and noble. Such tributes as these were spoken by those who appreciated the worth of such a char after: “He was the best farmer in Will County. He preached the necessity of keeping up the vir cinity of the soil. His whole life stood for better methods in agriculture. “No man has had a greater influence in Will County than A. Allen Francis.” “Never was I in his presence but I felt the inspiration to do something good.” “Men are drawn nearer to God when a good man dies.”

As printed in Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.