William B. Francis

Who was William B. Francis?

William Bates Francis was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Born near Updegraff, Ohio, Francis attended the public schools. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in Martins Ferry, Ohio. City solicitor in 1897, 1898, and 1900. He served as member of the board of school examiners of Martins Ferry 1903–1908. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1904. He served as member of the board of education of Martins Ferry 1908–1914.

Francis was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second and Sixty-third Congresses. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress. He resumed the practice of his profession. He served as chairman of the Ohio State Civil Service 1931-1935. Supervisor of properties for aid to aged, until his retirement. Resided in Martins Ferry and later in St. Clairsville, Ohio, until his death in Wheeling, West Virginia, December 5, 1954. He was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Ohio.