Sullivan R. Francis

As printed in 1910

SULLIVAN R. FRANCIS.

Sullivan R. Francis, who, combining farming and teaching, rounded out a useful life and had the satisfaction of knowing that his influence had always been directed toward the uplifting of his associates, was for many years numbered among the residents of Henry county. His birth occurred in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, in 1816, and he came of a family of English descent that was founded in the new world as early as 1630.

Thinking to enjoy better opportunities than were offered in New England by a removal to the west Mr. Francis came to Illinois about 1840 and soon thereafter located in Henry county, where he purchased eighty acres of land from the government. It was entirely wild and unimproved, not a furrow having been turned. On that tract he built a little log cabin and at once began farming, breaking the sod and tilling the fields so that in course of time the place returned to him bounteous harvests. Being a man of education his services were required during the winter months as teacher in the early schools and he did much toward shaping the educational progress of the county in pioneer times. His summers, however, were devoted to tilling his land and improving his home. In later years he became one of the school directors in his district.

In 1842 Sullivan R. Francis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Hayward, who was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and died May 30, 1845. His second wife bore the maiden name of Mary S. Gardner and was born in Bedford, Massachusetts, November 13, 1825, while her death occurred in Kewanee, October 22, 1889. For his third wife Mr. Francis those Anna I. Pelton, a native of England, who survives him and is now residing in Neponset, Illinois. His family numbered eleven children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Frederick, a resident of Kewanee township, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume; L. S., who is operating a sawmill north of Neponset; Sullivan F., who is a resident of Kewanee and a dealer in fine horses; W. R. who is living in Adrian, Michigan; and Gladys Galbraith, of Oakland, California. There are also two grandchildren: F. V. Francis, who is proprietor of pattern shops at Atlanta, Georgia; and Clara G. Matheson, whose husband died in Kewanee, December 24, 1909.

The death of Mr. Francis occurred September 1, 1901. He was a sturdy farmer of remarkable force of character, an upright and worthy man, who was brought up to hard work and strict discipline on the farm. Probably to the fact that he always worked with all his might is due his wholesome life and the positions of responsibility he was given by the people. While some would have been restricted by the limitations of rural life and pioneer conditions his interests seemed to expand as he met those conditions and shaped them for his own betterment and the common good. His ambition prompted him to make the best possible use of his opportunities and his life furnishes an example of high purpose and upright manhood. While his religious views agreed with many of the most progressive Christians, he was an ardent spiritualist, and in his last illness expressed the desire that all should know that he lived and died happy in that belief. Whatever may be said of the truth of this doctrine, it was often remarked that if his life was a sample it would be good.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.