HIRAM FRANCISCO Sr.
Hiram Francisco, Sr., is a farmer, but on princely scale. He owns and farms 1,800 acres of land in one body. He is one of the most influential and advanced farmers in the county and wholly self-made.
He was born in Auburn, Cayuga county, N.Y., and was the son of David and Persis (Morley) Francisco, who were natives of New Jersey and Massachusetts respectively. The name of Francisco is probably of Spanish origin.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm. He commenced life for himself, chopped cordwood to get money to come to Indiana, in 1840. Was agent for three years for a clock firm and wheat-fan firm, both selling and collecting for same; then he sold clocks for fifteen years for himself, and since then has been a farmer and extensive trader, principally in live stock, and is a natural, or born trader.
He settled on the place where he now lives in 1843; it is well improved in all points, and is as fine a farm as there is in the county, and is well stocked with registered stock and cattle. He owns in all eleven farms.
Mr. Francisco was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary McNutt, of Switzerland county, Ind. They have four children: Oliver, Annie, George and Hiram.
In 1870 Mr. Francisco was nominated by the Democratic party of this county for the State Senate, and overcame 700 Republican majority, being elected by a majority of seventy-two over Col. W. T. Friedley. He was the first Democratic Senator elected from Jefferson county for twenty-five years previous to that time, and there has not been one elected since by the Democratic party.
HIRAM FRANCISCO Jr.
Hiram Francisco, Jr., attorney and counselor at law, Madison, Ind., is a native of Jefferson county, and was born January 28, 1851. He was brought up on a farm attended the common schools of the county; also attended a private school in Shelby county Ky., in 1866-67.
In 1869 he commenced reading law in the office of Harrington & Korbly, of Madison, Ind. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, and in 1874 began the practice at Indianapolis, with Mr. Harrington as a partner, and remained there for one year, and then in 1875 returned to Jefferson county. In 1877 he came to Madison, and resumed the practice of law there.
In 1878 formed a partnership with E. G. Leland, under the firm name of Leland & Francisco. This firm continued until February, 1880, when Mr. Francisco formed a partnership with Capt. A. D. Vanosdol, under the firm name of Vanosdol & Francisco; they are still together, and is one of the strongest law firms in the county.
Mr. Francisco is a member of the K. of P.
He was married, in 1877, to Miss Louisa Otto, daughter of Mrs. Annie M. Otto, of Madison, Ind. They have five children, all girls: Mary, Helen, Louisa, Martha and Georgia.
His father and mother are Hiram and Mary (McNutt) Francisco, of Wirt, Jefferson county, Ind.
THOMAS J. FRANCISCO
Thomas J. Francisco is a native of Jefferson county; was born in Madison township, Jan. 4, 1839, and was brought up in the city and attended the city schools
His parents were Alonzo and Ursula (Ellison) Francisco. His father was born in Cincinnati, O., and raised there. His mother was born in New Jersey, but was raised in Ohio. They came to Indiana and located at Madison in 1837, where they have lived ever since. His father died September 20, 1885, aged seventy. His mother is still living, in her sixty-ninth year. His father was a butcher.
Mr. Francisco, after leaving school, went to work for Mr. James Middleton, in order to learn the trade of butchering, and continued with him until 1864.
In the same year he started in business for himself, having to borrow the money to start on, and has continued in this business, and from a financial standpoint has been a success ever since.
Mr. Francisco owns a handsome residence just outside the city limits, and a farm of one hundred acres, on the Graham Road, four miles from town. He is engaged pretty largely in feeding stock on this farm, carrying an average of one hundred cattle during the winter. He is one of the thorough business men of Jefferson county, and deserves his success as the result of his labors.
Mr. Francisco was married, February 20, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Grensling, a native of Madison. They have three children: Annie L., Gilbert E. and Maud L.
Mr Francisco joined the I.O.O.F. at the age of twenty-one years. Is also a member of the Masonic order.
