John Francis

Photograph

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

89-1-86 John Francis.jpg 734KB

Name/Title

John Francis

Entry/Object ID

1989.01.86

Description

Oval portrait of John Francis, the father of historian May Francis Heath, with biographical information. The original accession number is 89-1-86.

Photograph Details

Type of Photograph

Print, photograph

Subject Person or Organization

Francis, John 1846-1924

Context

From Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930 Author: Heath, May Francis Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930 JOHN FRANCIS One closely connected with the Morrison family was John F. Francis, who was born in Montreal, Canada, the youngest of nine children born to Thomas and Margaret Francis of Scotch-Irish decent. His father died when he was but five years of age and his mother took him to Chicago to live with an older daughter; in 1854 they came to Saugatuck, where his mother's death soon after made him an orphan at the tender age of eight years, but he was a bright, likely little chap, and Stephen A. Morrison, having no sons of his own, was greatly interested in the little lad and offered him a home; and gave Johnny a real father's care and affection, sending him to the local school, and when a young man, took him into business with him and John had charge of the general store, which was destroyed by fire and not rebuilt, so Mr. Francis went into the retail meat business for more than twenty years. He was married in 1870 to Julia E. Morrison, elder daughter of his benefactor and they lived together for fifty-four years; there were five children, two dying in infancy and one son, Thomas Leo, at the age of fourteen, Stephen of Chicago and May (Heath) of this place, survive. Mrs. Francis died in 1924, having been a resident of Saugatuck seventy-nine years and having known the town from the forest through all its ages and improvements; Mr. Francis passed away just four months after his wife, the last one of the Thomas Francis family. ----- A note on an index card in the Heath family materials says that John Francis was born Nov. 30, 1848

Collection

Family History, May Heath

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

1989.01

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Dimensions

Height

5 in

Width

3-1/2 in

Location

Box

031 A+B+C+D Photo Files

Create Date

October 7, 2023

Update Date

February 23, 2026