The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-07-24
D. R. FRANCIS.


"a AAC A4tucinhd i uAfudNc LApONt-
ton Company and eX-Officio chair
man OF the Executive Committee of
the corporation engaged in the con-
struction OF the Worlds Fair to he
held at st. Louis in 1904. was horn
at Richmond. Madison county. Ken
lucky. October l. 1850. His father,
John b. Francis. was q descendant
OF a prominent Virginia family and a
polished gentleman of the old south
ern type.
The founders Of the family in Ken
lucky were pioneer settlers, and the
grandfather of David r. was a sol
der in the war Of 1912. His moth
ct. Eliza Caldwell Rowland, was a
descendants Of David Irvine. of Lynch
burg. Virginia. whose ten daughters
We're among the most distinguished
II the pioneer women OF Kentucky,
and left their imrress upon the his
tory and social characteristics OF the
state The lrvines were ofhonorahle
Scotch lineage. and its representa-
tives were among slte earliest colon
isis oi Virginia.
David R. Francis Inherited the
physical aud mental qualities OF his
sturdy ancestry. His primary edu-
cation was received at Richmond
Academy. in his native town, Re-
moving 20 St Louis in 1866, he en-
tered Washington University and
was graduated in the class OF 1870.
He Immediately entered commercial
life. and for the next FIVE wears was
employed as shipping clerk and in
other capacities 10y wholesale gro.
rery house. In 1877 he engaged in
the grain business on his own. ac-
count, and seven wears later founded
the we'll known Or. ID. K, Francis X
Bro. Commission Company aud en-
tered into the expectation OF grain,
which has largely engaged his atteIl-
ton since that time,
Though one Of the youngest mem
-+-An-+.ff tL-.- A.-r-4l.4aH -l-.xcLanLe- -Alr-
Francis Obtained prompt and decid-
II recognition for business sagacity.
success in operations and prudent
foresight. and was made vice presi-
Dent OF that body in 1883, and in
1881 was elected president He is
identified with many OF the most i'm
portant husim IS Institutions OF the
ciry. and is AZ the present time a di-
rector Of the Mississippi Valley Trust
Company and vice-preSid"nt of the
Observation-Disclosures National Bank
He i Il large stakeholder in the -
Louis and Colorado Railway Com
pany and greatly interested in the
construction of that line into the
southwest He is also close " idcnti- |
ned with the organized charities OF
the city.
In 1SSJ Mr.. Francis was the Demo-
cratic candidate for Mayor Of the
city Of ST Louis. and III spite OF an
adverse majority of 1000 votes at
the last preceding election, he was
riecteti Try ,2oo majority, His adj
Iuini>tration was Il purely business
nne. and. Judging from results, was
eminentIv successful. He brought
about the reduction OF interest on
the municipal Indebtedness from &
and : 20 - and / per cent; enforc-
ed the payment OF judgment OF
$1,000, 900 against the Pacific Rail
way Company: instituted reforms i'll
the departments OF the city govern
ment: forced the reduction in the
price OF gas from 500 10 SID per
feet. and Was Instrumental
III extending the city's water supply.
His vigorous and successful advocacy
Of street reconstruction has placed
the city of St Louis in the ranks of
the best paved cities of the United
States. He was the progenitor OF
the New St. Louis" of to-day.
In 1888 he was nominated by the
party and elected Gov
ernor OF the State OF Missouri. His
administration was so completely
successful that it is vet pointed to as
a model 1t was clean, broad, eco
nomical without parsimony, patri-
otto and progressive. He gave much
thought to, and in a most efficient
manner, promoted the cause OF pub
lie education, particularly aiding the
State University and elevating it's
standard and exalting its reputation
to its present renOwn.