William Bates Francis
circa 1914
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 16th district
In office March 4, 1911 – March 4, 1915
Preceded by	David Hollingsworth
Succeeded by	Roscoe C. McCulloch
Personal details
Born	(1860-10-25)October 25, 1860 Jefferson County, Ohio
Died	December 5, 1954(1954-12-05) (aged 94) Wheeling, West Virginia
Resting place	Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Ohio
Political party	Democratic

William Bates Francis (October 25, 1860 – December 5, 1954) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio for two terms from 1911 to 1915.

Early life and career

Born near Updegraff, Ohio, Francis attended the public schools. He studied law, and 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.

Congress

Francis was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second and Sixty-third Congresses (March 4, 1911 – March 4, 1915). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress.

Later career

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.

Death

He died in Wheeling, West Virginia, December 5, 1954 and was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Ohio.

Sources

• United States Congress. "William B. Francis (id: F000337)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress