,, • • • SAMUEL FRANCIS Judge Francis was a native of England. He was born July 3, 1830, in Trowbridge, England and grew to manhood in that place, receiving his education in the public schools. He came to the United States with his family in 1861 and spent the first winter in Salt Lake. In the spring of 1862 he went to Farmington where he ran a carding machine. In the fall of 1863 he moved to Morgan County locating his farm on what afterwards became the site of Morgan City. His public career began in 1866, when he was elected a school trustee and Justice of the Peace. He took up the study of law and has been admitted to the bar. In 1870 he was appointed county clerk by the probate Judge, and held that office for sixteen years. He served for nineteen years as county recorder and also held the office of county attorney. He was elected to the office of Probate Judge in 1886 and held the office for many years. During the years 1880 to 1886 he was a member of the Territorial House of Representatives. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1895, and assisted in drafting the constitution of Utah. Mr. Francis was married in Geneva, Switzerland, to Miss Esther C. E. Weisbrot, who was born in Turin, Italy. When quite a young girl Mrs. Francis had a severe illness and lay in a trance for four days, her family thinking she was dead. During this time she saw in a vision the rise of the church in this country and the exodus of the people from the Missouri River to Utah. Mr. Francis was prominently identified with the work of the church in this county. When the Morgan Stake was organized in 1877, he became a counselor to President Willard G. Smith, who was succeeded by Richard Fry. He remained in the Stake Presidency until Sept. 1900. Morgan DUP History Er􀃊􌨠 Sorensen - Fw: Samuel Francis Info Arom: 􀀈􀡯o: Date: Subject: ----------------------- "....." @netzero.net'' 11/30/2006 10:30 AM Fw: Samuel Francis Info ---------- Forwarded Message--------- . . Samuel Francis Sr. at one time was a part owner of the land that Como Spnngs was located on. Como spnngs was named by Samuel Francis Sr. as a tribute to his wife who had spent many happy days of her life at Lake Como in Austria. Moved to Morgan in 1864. He was elected justice of the peace in 1868 when Morgan City was organized. When the County was organized he was elected County Clerk and Recorder from March 7th 1871 to September 9th 1890. He filled the ofice of County Atorney and the Probate Judge from Feb 7th 1893 to Jan 2nd 1896. With the help of his wife he put himself through a course of law and was admited to the bar in 1888 at the age of 58. He caried on most of the legal business in Morgan County for many years. Samuel Francis was elected to the Teritorial Legislature for four terms, was a member of the Constitutional Convention when Utah was admited to the Union . •e was always active in the Church, traveling as a missonary to Morgan and Summitt Counties. In 1888 when Morgan ake was organized he was chosen as a member of the Stake Presidency where he served for 24 years.. After serving in this capacity for many years he was released and ordained a Patriarch. He worked to have schools run by taxation, and worked in the Legislature for the free public school system in operation today. He died May 26, 1906 of pneumonia at Morgan City ltah Esther Charlotte Emiley Weisbrodt Francis, wife to Samuel, was the mother of 1 O children. She was active in community glifoeo, dw aknso awnl eedxgepe roief ndcruegds m aindd-w tihfee,i ra pnrde ppararacittioacn l annudr sues. e. SShhee hhaadd aa hbearcbk ggraorudnedn itnh atht ew uasse t hoef menevydi coinf athl ep lcoanutsn. tyS haen dh ad a saved many a life by its medicinal values. Her practical nursing skill, combined with her medicinal treatments proved a blessing for the healing of many patients Esther had an educational background. She could speak and write in four languages (german, French, Italian and English. She was able to help neighbors of those nationalities translating documents, letters. She served frequently as interperter for the Probate and District Courts. Esther had a great knowledge of mathaatics, including calculus. She was called to go into a field to compute the tons of hay in stack or bushels of grain in a bin or acres of land in a farm. She assisted with the surveying and laying out of Morgan City with Jessie W. Fox. Francis Peak was named in honor of Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis. Mounted on a wall in the station's main building at Francis Peak is a plaque with a picture of Esther Francis with this inscription: a􀡟istory and local tradition during the past century veirfies that "Francis Peak" was named in honor of Esther Chalrote 􀡠􆁩ily Weisbrodt Francis, as early pioneer woman of Morgan, Utah. Mrs. Francis, born June 19, 1836 of Turin, Italy, was a daughter of Samuel David and Emily Weisbrodt. Of German file://C:\Documents and Setings\ESorensen\Local Setings\Temp\XPgrpwise\456EB2DDGBCI_... 11/30/2006 ' • • _____ .- ...,. .._.. ___. ,,_ ___. .._.. ....... _ • /OS-decent; her parents moved from Saxony, Germany, to Italy to work as an attendant to the German Consulate. This gave privilages for special schooling and training. she achieved equivalent to a Junior College education and taught in a ladies' seminary in Italy. She spoke and wrote four languages - German, French; Italian, and English. She was also an expert mathematician and talented musician . • Mrs. Francis was converted and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints by Samuel Francis, a • issionary in Italy. On Jul 1, 1857, Esther Weisbrodt and Samuel Francis were married in Geneva Switzerland, where she wa employed as a translator. May 1861, she, with her husband and two small children migrated to America from England, crossed the plains, arriving in Salt Lake that September. In 1863 the family moved to Morgan, Utah, where she endured the hardships of early pioneer life, along with bearing and rearing ten children. Always active in community life, she served as midwife, and taught mathematics, languge, and music in the first school. The public service she rendered was unique for a pioneer woman - translating mail for neighbors, also acting as interpreter for the court. Her knowledge of mathematics and calculas drew many to seek her help in figuring the tons of hay in a stack, bushels of grain in a bin, or acres of land on their farm. She assisted early surveyors by calculating the proper acreage per lot or section - she also participated in the surveying and laying out Morgan City into blocks, lots and streets. For these outstanding achievements this mountain peak was named in her honor. On Feb 21 , 1913 at age 77, Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis passed away at her home in Morgan, Utah, and was buried in the local cemetery." You car:i _ pick up mor;.J.r?.~ati<?!J..OA-ycimu.~.La~ ~~!beFl:rancisancflneTr family and their accomplishments in the book Our Heritage tnaj-eonnie lies cf copy-gJ .. -Hope th1s flelps some . . -· . Sherilynn • file://C:\Documents and Settings\ESorensen\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\456EB2DDGBCI_ 11/30/2006 • •