Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

John Francis

Few men have contributed more to the development of Kansas as a free state than John Francis. Born in Norfolk County, England in 1837, he had to support himself early in life and moved to London for employment. He became interested in Kansas after reading stories in the newspapers about it’s struggle to become a free state. He left England in 1858 and arrived in Osawatomie in September of that year and immediately became identified with the abolition movement.

In March 1859, he moved to a land claim in Allen County and began life as a pioneer farmer. This would be his home for the rest of his life. He married Lodeska Coffield, daughter of another Kansas pioneer family in 1862.

When the Civil War began, he enlisted as a private in the infantry, but soon found himself in the Kansas Fifth Cavalry Regiment. The young Englishman served gallantly until 1863 when poor health resulted in his discharge.

Upon his return to Allen County, he was elected county clerk and reelected in 1865. Later, he was appointed clerk of the district court and began the study of law and was ultimately admitted to the bar.

He was elected Allen County treasurer in 1867 and reelected in 1869. After completing his second term, Francis opened a grocery and drug business in Iola, which he successfully operated until 1877.

In 1874, the Kansas governor appointed him as state treasurer to fill out an unexpired term, a position he held through election or appointment until 1882. After leaving the treasurer’s position, Mr. Francis went to New York where he was a banker for ten years, however always maintaining his home in Kansas.

He returned to Allen County in 1892 and once again became a farmer. Restless, he ran for state representative in 1898 and reelected in 1900 and 1902. During the last two terms in the state legislature, he was chairman of the house ways and means committee.

John Francis died at his farm in Allen County on August 3, 1918. He was 81 years old and had served his adopted state of Kansas for 59 years.

Sources:
“John Francis Is Dead,” Iola Register, 5 August 1918.

“John Francis, Pioneer Kansas Builder, Dead,” Topeka Capital, 6 August 1918.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.