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.