My Genealogy Hound

SQUIRE FRANCILLO B. FREEMAN, one of the oldest residents of township 45, range 25, located here in 1868, at a time when it bore little resemblance to its now flourishing condition. He is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Greenup County, April 30, 1814. His parents were Barnett and Catherine (Everman) Freeman, the former of whom was born in Virginia, and the latter in Germany. They met and were married in the Blue Grass State, where Barnett Freeman was engaged in teaching school and also farming to some extent.

The father of our subject followed these combined occupations until about 1829, when he disposed of his possessions in that state and removed to Randolph County, Ind. There he became the owner of a productive tract of land and lived until the death of his wife. He afterward married Mary Booker, and changed his location to Henry County, where his decease occurred in 1855. When last heard from, his wife was still living in that locality. The mother of our subject was also twice married. Her first companion was David Frame, who met his death while working in a powder-mill in Greenup County. One son was born of their union, David Frame, who is now deceased.

To Barnett and Catherine Freeman there were born ten children, of whom Francillo B. was the eldest. Alonzo died in Henry County, Ind.; William E. was killed by the cars, while living in Randolph County, Ind.; Hartwell died in Lafayette County, Ind., in 1846; Valentine died in Henry County, that state; Austin departed this life in Kentucky when an infant; Napoleon Walter Jerome died in Henry County, Ind.; Rebecca, who was born in the Blue Grass State, married William Elliott, and both died in Henry County, Ind.; Narcissus died in Randolph County, that state; and Cordelia was a resident of Delaware, Ind., at the time of her death.

Our subject was the only member of the household to remain at home until reaching his majority. He learned the carpenter’s trade in Henry, Delaware and Randolph Counties, Ind., working at the same until 1840. He was then married to Miss Louisa Jane Burdit, a native of Virginia, where her father lived and died. They were married in Delaware County, and there our subject purchased a farm and made his home for the following eight years. Mrs. Freeman died September 8, 1847, and February 11 of the following year he married Angeline Street, a native of Bath County, Ky., and the daughter of James and Rachel Street, also natives of that state, where they were farmers. They later removed to Indiana, where the father died in Shelby County, and the mother passed her last days in Wayne County.

In 1847 Mr. Freeman’s crops failed, and consequently he lost nearly all of his property. In 1858 he came by wagon to this state, settling in Scotland County, where he purchased two farms, and for nine years was engaged in their supervision. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted and entered the service as a substitute. He was at the front only a short time, however, when he returned home and lived in Scotland County until some time in 1867. That year he sold his interests there and set out for Bates County, stopping, however, in Johnson County. He was so well pleased with the outlook that he remained here and soon became classed among the practical agriculturists of the county.

For some time after his marriage our subject engaged in a general merchandising business, and also practiced law. Upon his arrival in Johnson County he purchased fifty acres of land, built thereon a good residence, and has since made it his home. His wife died a few months after coming here, passing away April 26, 1868, and he still resides on the home place with the children. He became the father of twelve sons and daughters. Riley F. married Sarah Jane Miller, and both are now deceased. Barnett E. was born March 25, 1843, and is now living on the home place. Charles H. was born November 20, 1844; he was married in Arkansas and died about 1870, leaving a daughter. Francis M. was born September 30, 1846; he married Mary Winnegar, and is now living in Rich Hill, Bates County, this state. Martha E. was born June 29, 1850; she married T. D. Connell, and is now a resident of Camden County, Mo. La Fayette was born June 30, 1852, and died in Arizona. Josephine, who was born July 6, 1854, became the wife of George Houck, who died May 5, 1883; June 5, 1885, she became the wife of George T. Swift, and now lives with our subject. Lurinda J. was born August 24, 1857; she first married James Dunn, and is now the wife of Adolphus Flick, and their home is in the World’s Fair City. Indiana, who was born July 20, 1860, is now living with her husband, Wiley C. Atwood, in Bates County, Mo.; Emma, who was born September 28, 1862, married William H. Hendrick, who was killed in a wreck on the Wichita Road; she is now the wife of William H. Corbridge, of Chicago. Almeda, who was born February 27, 1865, married John Harrison, a farmer living northwest of Warrensburg. William H. was born April 16, 1868; he now farms a tract of land near Valley City, this county.

There were very few settlers in this township when Mr. Freeman located here. The farm which he occupies had been rejected by all the pioneers as being too poor to work. He, however, has placed it under the best methods of cultivation, and now has one of the most productive tracts in the township. In 1892 our subject was elected Justice of the Peace of Montserrat Township on the Democratic ticket, serving a term of two years with entire satisfaction. While a resident of Randolph County, Ind., he was Constable for one year. His second wife was a member in good standing of the Methodist Church, while his first companion was connected with the Dunkard Church.