The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1888-08-29
DAVID X. FRANCIS.
Brief Sketch of His Business and
Mercantile Career.

Governor of Missouri, is the young
est man ever nominated for that high
office. He was born in Kentucky
October l, 1850, and will therefore
be but 3S years of age when he is
inaugurated at Jefferson City next
January. He was small boy when
he came to Missouri, but he was
bright little fellow, and at the age of
16 he entered Washington University
in this city, where he graduated at
the head of his class in 1870 while
yet under 20 years of age. His bus
mess and political career since that
time has been remarkable; it might
be said, phenomenal. He was
penniless boy when he left the
school-room and went out into the
world to shuttle for himself, but he
was possessed of all the requisites
needed for success in life. He had
a strong heart, steady, level head
and he knew the value of honesty,
integrity and kindness. His entry
into business was by accepting a
position as shipping clerk in the
commission and wholesale grocery
house of Shryock & Rowland. He
was not long in that position, how
ever, for he soon proved his value
and was advanced to partnership
in the house
But young Francis was not salts
fed to stop at this point in his
business career. He was ambitious
to go up higher, and in April, 1877,
he decided that he was strong enough
to stand alone, SO he opened a COM
, mission house on his own account
and in his own name. This business
venture was success from the start
and to such an extent that but few
years elapsed until he was regarded
as leader.
Having married in 1876, he was
already settled and of steady habits,
and it was the push and energy he
$ displayed that marked him among
: his fellow merchants for advance
: ment. His election as a director of
the Merchants Exchange, followed
by that of vice-president and presi-
dent of that great commercial body
: in quick succession, gave him promi.
nence that was we'll deserved. His
administration of the affairs of the
exchange was successful one, which
added to his popularity. He is now
at the head of the D. R. Francis
Bro. Commission Company and he
stands at the head of the Francis &
Smith Export Company, the larges
g exporters of grain doing business il
% New Orleans. To his business affairs
he pays the closest attention, and t.
# his watchfulness is largely due tn
- prosperous condition of the enter
prises with which he is connected.
= Mr.. Francis entered the politica
arena in the spring of 1884, when
: backed by the solid st. Louis dele
;, cation in the State convention, b
was elected as a delegate to tn
National democratic convention a
= Chicago, where he made himsel
conspicuous by his untiring effort
in behalf of the candidacy of Grove
Cleveland for president. In 1885 b
received the nomination of the cit
lis democratic convention for mayor
is and in the election following he de
feated the republican incumbent b
nd a handsome majority. For thre
e, years he has administered the affair
- of this great metropolis with fewe
: mistakes than any of his predece'
sors. He has made almost as goo
Re record as a writer of vetoes s
Id President Cleveland enjoys. Prom
Y nent among his vetoes is the bi
n passed by the Municipal Assembl
We authorizing the Water-Gas Compan
to lay pipes in the st. Louis Ga
Light Conpanys district and Sc
,. gas, after 1890, for 81 25 per Loo
in feet. The mayor gave hearing
VI representatives of the various 81
companies, and to citizens, pendin
" the approval of the bill, and the