David Rowland Francis

As printed in 1899

Francis, David Rowland, Governor of. Missouri from 1889 to 1893, and Secretary of the Interior during the closing six months of President Cleveland’s second administration, was born October 1, 1850, in. Richmond, Kentucky, son of John Broaddus and Eliza Caldwell (Rowland) Francis. His father, John B.

a ime sheriff of Madison

County, in that State; was later engaged in mercantile pursuits in Richmond. and still later engaged in farming in Lincoln County, Kentucky. The later years of his life were spent in Missouri, to which State he removed in 1882, and he died at his home near St. Louis in 1894. He was a fine type of the old-fashioned Southern gentleman, and came of an old Virginia family, seated originally near Richmond. The earliest representatives of the family in Kentucky were pioneer settlers in that State, and the grandfather of Governor Francis—Thomas Francis—was a Kentucky soldier in the War of 1812. Through his mother Governor Francis is descended from David Irvine, of Lynchburg, Virginia, whose ten daughters were numbered among the distinguished pioneer women of Kentucky and left the impress of their individuality indelibly stamped upon the history of that commonwealth, The Irvine family tree was planted in Virginia at an early date, and the colonists who bore the name to this country were of distinguished lineage. Through antecedent generations extending back to the days of Robert Bruce, the history of the family was closely interwoven with the history of the noblest achievements of the Scottish people. In the time of Bruce, William de Jrvine was awarded a part of the royal forest of Drum in consideration of his valuable services to the Crown. Captain Christopher Irvine commanded King James’ Light Horse at the battle of Flodden. Alexander Irvine closed the gates of Londonderry in the face of another King James and his army, and the Edinburgh “Review” has said of this action that it entitled him to be called one of the greatest heroes the world has ever seen, The American descendants of these Scottish heroes have on numerous ос- SAC ace р worthy of their Wilham Irvine о Rev ee a с liam and Christopher met Bains yil: sun of Wiliam. moneen оГ Kanto Stopher, prominent places on A $ Kentucky, occupy Аас ы р. теа 5 roll of honor. vigor wis the cel pañal and intellectual Жапы met inheritance of Governor Жин = ki en he began life for himself, Re- Ие, ern his old home in Kentucky he had A ‘aimed an academic education in Richmond Academy, taught at that time by ue Breck, somewl at time by Rev. Robert somewhat famous as a Kentucky edu-

Francis, was at one t water. In 1866 he entered Washington University, of St. Louis, and was graduated fr te that institution in the class of 1870. pl that he was employed for five years as a ship. ping clerk by the firm of Shryock & Rowland, of this city, and then became junior Member of the same firm. In 1877 he founded the D. R. Francis & Bro. Commission Company, and later engaged extensively in the wholesale grain trade, His genius for the conduct of affairs soon made him a conspicuous figure in the business circles of St. Louis, and his uniformly successful operations long since caused him to be recognized as an astute financier and a business man of broad capabilities. He was made vice-president of the Merchants’ Exchange in 1883. and a year later, at the end of one of the most spirited contests in the history of that famous association of merchants and traders. he was elected to the presidency of the exchange. In a business way he has been identified with some of the most important corporate interests of St Louis, chief among them being the Mississippi_ Valley Trust Company and the Merchants-Laclede National Bank. in both of which institutions he holds the office of vice-president. Having always taken a somewhat active interest in politics as a staunch adherent to the Democratic faith, he was made the nominee of his party for mayor of St. Louis in 1885. Four years before this the Republican candidate for the mayoralty had been elected by а majority of 14.000, and Mr. Francis faced this adverse majority in entering upon his contest. Notwithstanding the odds against him. his vigorous and effective campaign carried him into the mayoralty by a majority of 1,200. As head of the city government his superior ability was no less strikingly evidenced than it had been in the conduct of his private affairs. His was a business administration, and during his official term he reduced the rate of interest on the municipal indebtedness of the city from 6 and 7 to 4 per cent, compelled payment a judgment of one million dollars which the city had obtained against the Pacific Rafrost Company, and inaugurated reforms in the cor 5 duct of the different departments of the city government which have been of incalculable benefit to St. Louis. After a prolonged in bitter fight against the St. Louis Gas ЕЕ Company, which at that time had a топора of lighting the principal business and res ил tion of the city, he forced that commence per ce the price of gas to consumers to reduce $1.25 per thousand feet. He from $2.50 to ФІ. aah to passage the bill also urged and pus tension of the water ‘hich provided for an OS È whi ir of the city, and was the active ady locate Alle establishment of the new ee nz tion and capacious reservoirs at the дао Rocks, in North St. Louis. During his entire administration he vigorously pushed the reconstruction of the city streets in the face of the stubborn opposition of тапу influential property holders. The position which he took in connection with that important work gave an impetus to street reconstruction in its incipiency and at a critical period in its history, and the present system of durable downtown streets and splendid boulevards was the result. He also earnestly recommended the adoption of the ordinance which made provision for the sprinkling of every thoroughfare in the city and relieved the people from the plague of dust which had become almost unendurable and threatened to seriously retard progress and development in every direction. He was a forceful and energetic leader in every movement calculated to advertise the resources of St. Louis or to add to its prominence and prestige, and headed many of the delegations through whose efforts St. Louis was made famous as a convention city. He ane and headed the delegation which FaSt. Louis the National Democratic me the Gran, sonal, Encamp 1387 and the triennial conclay of omen la ‚ Templar in 1886. The N ‘lave of the Knights the Christi E, е National Convention of an endeavor Society, a National mention, and many simi 5 Were also held in St. Louis dan a and he was not only active Magistrate of а н to the city, but as chief untiring in the ee was at all times N every a ice of its guests, Pride of the citizen. PPealed to the local wanted fort pa and invited them to un- Suis, Н; е Promote the fame of St. “spring effect БУ and earnestness had an > and it was this infusior f Ygor into the due se h ee conduct of city is paris о Some chronicle to era, and to abel as the beginning of a new “т “New g ае rejuvenated city the Which has clung to it pany ever since. Mr. Francis was not only zealous, but fearless and aggressive in his guardianship of the interests of the city, and in the face of what appeared to be at the time a popular demand for its approval, he vetoed what was known as “the Electric Elevated Railway bill,” because it did not compensate the city adequately for a valuable franchise. Criticised at the time, this action was almost unanimously approved by the people, and a precedent was established which has been of great value to the city. An interesting event of his administration was the visit of President Cleveland to St. Louis in the fall of 1887 and his entertainment at the home of Mayor Francis, an occasion remembered as one of the leading social events in the history of the city. His admirable administration as mayor of St, Louis made him the nominee of the Democratic party for Governor in the fall of 1888, and on the lath of January, 1889, he was inaugurated chief executive of the State. His administration of State affairs was signally successful, practical views and common-sense methods governing his action in every department of the public business. In everything he was intensely loyal to the interests of Missouri, jealous of her good name, and earnest and forceful in promoting measures designed to call attention to the resources of the State and further their development. Admirable as it was, viewed from the business standpoint, his administration was no less commendable for social features, which brought the people of Missouri into intimate and delightful relationship with the man whom they had elevated to the highest office in their gift. His hospitality had the charm of warmth and spontaneity, and during his residence at the State capital the Governor's home was the scene of many delightful social events. When he retired from the governorship he turned his attention to his business affairs, and did not re-enter official life until the summer of 18y6, when he was called into President Cleveland's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior. He had sat in the convention which first nominated President Cleveland in 1884 as delegate-at-large from the State of Missouri, and had been regarded as one of his warmest personal and political friends during all the years of his prominence in national politics. When called to a place in his cabinet he felt compelled to accept the appointment. and, although his term of service as a р m p aratively short, he cabinet minister was comp: У ҮЙ ш leif his impress on the department of the g which he ded and added to ernment over which he preside Se his well-earned fame as a public man. Traine to business pursuits, he has nevertheless been a careful student of social and governmental problems, of art and literature, and as a result he is a man of numerous and varied accomplishments. He is a forcible and attractive public speaker, has much of that magnetism which makes men natural leaders of men, and his democratic tastes and charming cordiality of manner are attractive features of his personality. When the movement was inaugurated to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana by holding a World's Fair in St. Louis, Governor Francis became one of the chief promoters of the project, and is now bending all his energies toward making a success of this vast undertaking. He married in 1876 Miss Jennie Perry—daughter of John D. Perry, of St. Louis—a lady whose social and domestic graces have contributed not a little to the success of her distinguished husband. Six children, all boys, have been born of this marriage. named, respectively, John D. Perry, David R.. Jr., Charles Broaddus, Talton Turner, Thomas, and Sidney R. Francis, Nie:

Franeis, Sidney Rowland, brother of Governor David R. Francis, whose brilliant and successful career has been briefly sketched in this connection, was born August 16, 1857, in Richmond, Kentucky, and died in St. Louis December 4.1893. He was educated in the private schools of his native town and at Lexington, Kentucky, and when cightcen years of age became associated with the firm with which his brother, David R. Franis, was connected in St, Louis, in the grain and commission business. In 1880 he. came a member of the firm which his brother ie 1878, and from that date up ne of his death he was one of the most Successful traders in grain and produce engaged in that branch of business in St. Louis. His energy was intense, his jud ie nd self-poise admirable and hi pug ih de, nis tact and resourcemans гета ые, Although a very young т an first made his appearance asa той е floor of the Chamber of Com-

Се, he speedily took rank with the leaders of that body, not alone by reason of the fact that he built up a large fortune as a result of his successful operations, but because of his progressive ideas and his active co-operation in every movement designed to extend the trade of St. Louis and to increase the Prestige and prominence of the city as a center of commercial and industrial activity. He was unselfish in his devotion to the advancement of all the business interests of the city and un. flagging in his efforts to promote their growth and expansion. Не had great force of character and superior executive ability, and, coupled with these endowments, a peculiar graciousness of manner and kindness of heart which popularized him with all classes of people and endeared him especially to his business associates and those with whom he came into contact in the affairs of everyday life. No truer estimate of his abilities, his virtues and his accomplishments could have been made than was contained in the testimonial adopted after his death by the Merchants’ Exchange, composed of those who had been most closely associated with him for years, and who had twice elected him to important offices within their gift. These resolutions bore testimony to the fact that he was in all respects a high-minded, many man, of unswerving integrity, loyal to his friendships, and peculiarly tender and loving in his family relations. Similar testimonials and resolutions were adopted by the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, the St.. Louis United Elevator Company, and the Union Casualty & Insurance Company. wilh all of which corporations he had been offictaly identified, and these resolutions, handsomely engrossed and beautifully bound, constitute a cherished possession of surviving member of his family.

As printed in Encyclopedia of the history of St. Louis, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference (v. 2) (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.