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EARLY SETTLERS OF SANGAMON COUNTY - 1876
By John Carroll Power

These biographies were submitted by a researcher and evidently abstracted from the 1876 History of Sangamon County, IL. Errors could occur, so one should always verify the correctness by obtaining copies of vitals and performing all necessary research to document what is contained herein.



FRANCIS, JOSIAH, was born Sept. 24, 1801, in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass. He was married Dec. 2, 1824, in Pittsfield, to Fidelia Clark, who was born Jan. 11, 1803, in Westhampton, Hampshire county, Mass. In 1825 they moved to Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., where they had two living children. They moved to Springfield, Ill., arriving June 30, 1836, and had one child in Springfield. Mr. Francis engaged in the manufacture of cabinet furniture, in connection with his brother Charles B., and continued in that business until 1852, when he engaged in farming, four miles northeast of Springfield, near what is now German Prairie station. Of his children--

LUCIUS C., born Dec. 26, 1828, at Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., married Aug. 23, 1860, in Springfield, Ill., to Clara Pierson. She died Nov. 14, 1864. Mr. Francis was married Dec. 23, 1873, in Atlanta, Ill., to Mrs. Susan Leonard, whose maiden name was Keigwin. She was born March 21, 1840, in Springfield. They reside half a mile west of German Prairie station, but their postoffice is Springfield, Ill.

JAMES S., born Jan. 15, 1831, in Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., resides with his father.

MARIA E., born Oct. 23, 1837, in Springfield, Ill., and lives with her father.

Mrs. Fidelia Francis died Oct. 21, 1874, in Sangamon county, and Josiah Francis resides near German Prairie station, with his postoffice at Springfield, Ill.



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