Representative Francis Marion Estes View All Years

HON. FRANCIS M. ESTES.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare and present suitable resolutions commemorating the life, character and public services of Honorable Francis M. Estes of Fremont County, late member of this House, beg leave to report the following:

Francis M. Estes was born in Andrew County, Missouri, September 3, 1846, the son of Joel and Patsy (Stolling) Estes. In 1859 he went with his father to Colorado, where they discovered what is now known as Estes Park, and where he remained till the spring of 1866, coming then to Fremont County, Iowa. In August of the same year he married Mary C. Hiatt, daughter of Reuben and Nancy Hiatt, with whom he founded a home north of Sidney, Iowa. They were blessed with six children: Robert L., Lovy Ann, Joel S., Charles F., Reuben N. and Giles R., to whom he was ever a generous and loving father.

During his residence in Iowa he was an extensive farmer, stock raiser and horticulturalist, being especially proud of a large orchard. The leadership of the Democrats in his vicinity came naturally to Mr. Estes, and he had the honor of representing his district in the Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies. He was intensely interested in and advocated election reform, and was instrumental in securing the passage of the Australian ballot law enacted by the Twenty-fourth General Assembly. He also served his community as Justice of the Peace and member of the School Board.

Fraternally he was for many years connected with the Masonic order, and was a consistent and faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church.

Following the death of his wife in 1907, he sold his Fremont County holdings and went to Cement, Caddon County, Oklahoma, where he engaged in banking, being president of three banks at the time of his death. In the spring of 1911 he built a church near Cement, Oklahoma, donating it to the Liberty Primitive Baptist Church.

His death occurred at his home in Cement, Oklahoma, October 7, 1911, of paralysis of the heart. Services were held over his remains at Cement, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and at Sidney, Iowa, where he was laid to rest by the side of his faithful companion in the Sidney cemetery.

A great and good man has been taken from us. He was a friend to all. The human elements were so mingled in him that nature could say to the world, “This was a man.” Therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the Thirty-fifth General Assembly extend to the bereaved members of his family this expression of sympathy and condolence in the death of Hon. Francis M. Estes. In token whereof they have caused these resolutions to be spread upon the Journal of the House and a copy of same sent to the surviving relatives.

ISAAC G. SCOTT,

A. S. WORKMAN,

A. BARTLE,

Committee.

Adopted February 17, 1913.