My Genealogy Hound

JAMES FRANCIES, bricklayer, contractor and builder, Allegheny City, son of John K. and Isabella (Wallace) Francies, was born in Scotland, Nov. 7, 1833, and came with his parents to America in 1838. They located in Pittsburgh, Pa., where they resided until 1865, when they moved to McKeesport, and here remained until the decease of the father, who died in February, 1888, at the advanced age of ninety years, his death resulting from injuries received by a fall; his widow is living at Homestead, this county, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-six years. They were of old Scotch Presbyterian stock. Their family of ten children are all yet living, as follows: Isabell (wife of William Glass), Margaret (wife of Robert Sproat), John, Hugh, Catherine (wife of William Nicholl), Matilda (wife of John Lowery), William, James, Samuel and Elizabeth. The last named is single and lives with her mother: Hugh resides in Wisconsin, from which state he enlisted in 1861, for three years, in the army, serving until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. Samuel Francies was born Oct. 31, 1838. He married Prudence McKnight, and their children were Belle W. (deceased), Jennie McKnight, William H., Edward S., Kate E., Anna R. and Edna L. Mr. Francies is a member of the firm of William & J. Francies & Co.

James Francies, the subject of this memoir, was married, Sept. 17, 1856, to Mary, daughter of John and Mary (Logan) Welsh, and by her has three children: Harvey H. (married to Bertha N., daughter of James Newland), John R. (married to Sarah E., daughter of William Richards) and Isabella (wife of Elmer E. Baldwin). Mr. Francies is a F. & A. M., and has attained the 32d degree. He has been a member of the firm of W. & J. Francies & Co., contractors and builders, since 1865, and since 1886 they have carried on brick making in Pittsburgh, in connection with their other business.