John Wills Francis

M, b. 13 February 1888, d. 27 January 1929
FatherDaniel Francis b. 18 Nov 1852, d. 27 May 1925
MotherRosetta Berthia Wills b. 3 Nov 1865, d. 1 Aug 1922
Relationship1st cousin 2 times removed of David Gardner Crouch
Birth*John Wills Francis was born on 13 February 1888 at Wardsville, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada. Daniel Francis was listed as the informant on the birth certiifcate.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 
(Son) CensusJohn Wills Francis appeared on the census of 1891 as the son of Daniel Francis at Wardsville, Middlesex West, Ontario, Canada.2 
BaptismJohn Wills Francis was baptized on 19 August 1895 at Beaver Creek, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.3 
(Son) CensusHe appeared on the census of 1901 as the son of Daniel Francis at Tofield, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Canada.4 
(Son) CensusJohn Wills Francis appeared on the census of 1906 as the son of Daniel Francis at SE-1/4, Section 4, Township 51, Range 18, West of the 4th Meridian, Cornhill, Tofield, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Canada; The farm had 29 horses, 4 milch cows, 32 horned or meat cattle, 114 sheep and lambs and 5 hogs and pigs.5 
Property-Grant*John Wills Francis received a grant of property of the Northwest Quarter of Section 34, Township 52, Range 4, West of the 4th Meridian, Dewberry, County of Vermilion River, Alberta, Canada , on 17 October 1910 from King George the Fifth .12,13 
OccupationJohn Wills Francis was a farmer between 1911 and 1916 at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.6,7 
(Son) CensusHe appeared on the census of 1911 as the son of Daniel Francis at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.6 
(Son) CensusJohn Wills Francis appeared on the census of 1916 as the son of Daniel Francis at SE-1/4, Section 4, Township 51, Range 18, West of the 4th Meridian, Cornhill, Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.7 
Milit-Serv*Private John Wills Francis (regtl. no. 3205976) served with the 2nd Company, First Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment between 16 January 1918 and 22 May 1919. He sailed from Halifax arriving in London, England on 24 May 1918 and proceeded to France with the 49th Battalion on 30 Oct 1918. He departed from Liverpool on 08 Mar 1919 back to Canada.14 
Census*He appeared on the census of 1 June 1921 at Section 6, Township 57, Range 4, West of the 4th Meridian, Cornhill, Elk Point, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada.8 
Residence*He lived in 1922 at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.15,16 
(Informant) DeathHe was listed as an informant on the death certificate of Rosetta Berthia Wills on 1 August 1922 at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada; "Bright's disease (primary), acute heart failure (immediate.)15" 
(Informant) DeathJohn Wills Francis was listed as an informant on the death certificate of Rose Beatrice Francis on 10 August 1922 at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada; "acute heart failure from intestinal influenza with Bright's disease."16 
(Beneficiary) WillJohn Wills Francis was listed as a beneficiary in the will of Daniel Francis dated 28 December 1923 and was bequeathed ten (10) annual payments of $100 starting the 3rd year after death of his father and 1/8 share of the residual of the estate; May Gertrude (Francis) Hodges:
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

John Wills Francis:
- ten (10) annual payments of $100 starting the 3rd year after death of his father, and
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

Henry Alfred Francis:
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

George Edward Francis:
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

Mabel Annette (Francis) Moore:
- the West Half of Section 7, Township 79, Range 15, West of the 6th Meridian, and
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

James Richard Francis:
- a portion of Section 3, Township 51, Range 18, West of the 4th Meridian,
- the North Half of Section 33, Township 50, Range 18, West of 4th Meridian, and
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

Emma Louise (Francis) Lovell:
- the East Half of Section 7, Township 79, Range 15, West of the 6th Meridian, and
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate

Arthur Clarence Francis:
- the East Half of Section 4, Township 51, Range 18, West of the 4th Meridian,
- part of Section 3, Township 51, Range 18, West of the 4th Meridian, and
- 1/8 share of the residual of the estate. 
ResidenceJohn Wills Francis lived in 1924 at St-Paul-des-Métis, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada.9 
Occupation*He was an employee between 1924 and 1929 at the Soldier Settlement Board, St-Paul-des-Métis, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada.9,11 
Residence*He and Isabella Olive (Srigley) Francis lived between 1924 and 1929 at St-Paul-des-Métis, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada.11 
Marriage*John Wills Francis married Isabella Olive Srigley, daughter of Robert Manuel Srigley and Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley, on 16 July 1924 in the residence of Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley at 11250 - 125th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The wedding party included Henry Alfred Francis, Nellie M. Attebery and Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley.9 
Death of FatherHis father Daniel Francis died on 27 May 1925 at Tofield, Beaver County, Alberta, Canada.17,18,19,20
(Administrator) ProbateJohn Wills Francis was the administrator of Henry Alfred Francis's estate on 10 April 1926 at District Court, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.21 
Census*John Wills Francis appeared as the head of a household along with his wife, Isabella Olive (Srigley) Francis on the census of 1926 at 1st Street South, St-Paul-des-Métis, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada.10 
Death*John Wills Francis died on 27 January 1929 of "acute influenzal pneumonia following appendectomy" at Elk Point Municipal Hospital, Elk Point, County of St. Paul No. 19, Alberta, Canada, at age 40. The informant listed on the death certificate was Isabella Olive (Srigley) Francis.11 
Burial*John Wills Francis was buried on 30 January 1929 at Section 0F, Block 0056, Plot 0012, Edmonton Municipal Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.22,23,24

Family

Isabella Olive Srigley b. 19 Jul 1885, d. 18 Aug 1971
Marriage*He married Isabella Olive Srigley, daughter of Robert Manuel Srigley and Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley, on 16 July 1924 in the residence of Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley at 11250 - 125th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The wedding party included Henry Alfred Francis, Nellie M. Attebery and Isabella Maria (Stephenson) Srigley.9 
Last Edited19 May 2025

Citations

  1. [S4807] Ontario Registrar General, Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, 1869-, John Wills Francis registration no. 020548 (13 Feb 1888); digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 Jun 2024); citing microfilm MS 929, roll 88, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.
  2. [S4830] 1891 census of Canada, Middlesex West, Ontario, population schedule, district 93, p. 15, family 86, Daniel Francis household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 14 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada microfilm roll T-6354.
  3. [S4823] "Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Registers [1825-1910]," Vol. 4, p. 335, entry for John Wills Francis, 19 Aug 1895; United Church of Canada Archives, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  4. [S4831] 1901 census of Canada, West Beaver Lake, Alberta, population schedule, district 202, subdistrict 1, p. 1, dwelling 6, family 6, Daniel Francis household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 14 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada microfilm roll T-6550.
  5. [S4832] 1906 Census of the Northwest Provinces, Strathcona, Alberta, population and livestock schedule, subdistrict 20, p. 11, family 101, Daniel Francis household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 15 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada microfilm roll T-18362.
  6. [S4833] 1911 census of Canada, Strathcona, Alberta, population schedule, district 6, subdistrict 25, pp. 17-18, family 7, Daniel Francis household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 15 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada microfilm roll T-20332.
  7. [S4834] 1916 Census of the Prairie Provinces, Victoria, Alberta, population schedule, subdistrict 26, p. 10, dwelling 121, family 121, Daniel Francis household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 15 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada microfilm roll T-21955.
  8. [S4872] 1921 census of Canada, Battle River, Alberta, population schedule, district 1, subdistrict 57, p. 4, dwelling 52, family 52, J W Francis; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 19 Jun 2024); citing Library and Archives Canada Series RG31.
  9. [S4789] Alberta Bureau of Vital Statistics, marriage certificate 475 (1924), John Wills Francis and Isabella Olive Srigley; Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.
  10. [S4873] 1926 census of Canadian Prairie Provinces, St-Paul-des-Metis, Athabaska, Alberta, population schedule, district 40, subdistrict 8, p. 16, dwelling 161, family 170, John Francis household; digital image, Library and Archives Canada (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/1926/Pages/item.aspx : accessed 19 Jun 2024); citing Statistics Canada RG31, Item Number 1426017.
  11. [S4794] Alberta Bureau of Vital Statistics, death certificate 401-311 (1929), John Wills Francis; Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.
  12. [S4876] Department of the Interior, "Homestead Applications," file no. 1430930, John Wills Francis, 16 Aug 1906; imaged, "Alberta, Canada, Homestead Records, 1870-1930," database and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.ca/discoveryui-content/view/… : accessed 19 Jun 2024), image 1039 of 2577; citing microfilm no. 2784 held by the University of Alberta.
  13. [S4875] Department of the Interior, "Western Land Grants," RG15, Liber 427, Folio 218, land grant to John Wills Francis, 17 Oct 1910; citing microfilm C-6280 held by Library and Archives Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
  14. [S4874] "Personnel Records of the First World War," database with images, Library and Archives Canada (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/… : accessed 19 Jun 2024), service file for John Wills Francis, Regiment no. 3205976; citing LAC Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3264 - 62.
  15. [S4723] Alberta Bureau of Vital Statistics, death certificate 1756 (1922), Mrs. Rosetta Berthie Francis; Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.
  16. [S4720] Alberta Bureau of Vital Statistics, death certificate 1755 (1922), Rose Beatrice Francis; Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.
  17. [S4715] Alberta Bureau of Vital Statistics, death certificate 793 (1925), Daniel Francis; Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.
  18. [S4717] Find a Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 May 2024), photograph, memorial # 96198453, gravestone for Daniel Francis (26 Mar 1925), Tofield Cemetery, Tofield, Alberta.
  19. [S4718] "Tofield Pioneer Called by Death," Edmonton Journal, 28 May 1925, p. 2, col. 7; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 30 May 2024).
  20. [S4719] "Former Edmonton Principal Buried," Edmonton Journal, 01 Jun 1925, p. 2, col. 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 30 May 2024).
  21. [S4984] "Canada, British Columbia Dominion Land Branch Records, 1885-1949," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WB-H3CC : accessed 16 Jul 2024), Land File no. 3428054, application dated 15 Jun 1915, Henry Alfred Francis, image 3162-3176 of 3374; citing FHL digital film 2243674 of original records in the British Columbia Archives.
  22. [S4795] City of Edmonton, Cemetery Search, database (https://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/cemeteries/ : accessed 09 Jun 2024), Jophn [John] Francis, 30 Jan 1929.
  23. [S4796] Find a Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 09 Jun 2024), photograph, memorial # 155947611, gravestone for John Wills Francis (1929), Edmonton Municipal Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta.
  24. [S4797] "Funeral Services for John W. Francis Held," Edmonton Journal, 7 Feb 1929, p. 15, col. 1; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 09 Jun 2024).