OBITUARY

OBITUARY

Charles Francis

Charles Francis, widely known as a hydraulic engineer, died April 29, at his home in Davenport, Ia. Although in failing health for some time the immediate cause of death was the rupture of a blood vessel of the heart. He was born in Lowell, Mass., August 10, 1842. His father, James B. Francis, was a native of Oxford, England. He came to this country when a youth of 18 years and soon became recognized as one of the leading hydraulic engineers of the East. He died in 1892. Charles Francis’ first public work of importance was assisting in the construction of a dam in the Connecticut river at Turner Falls, and later was engaged on the building of the Provincetown dike. He went to Chicago, where he remained until the great fire in 1871, when he removed to California and did much work on the Pacific coast, principally relative to the development of mining interests. He remained there for nine years, after which he went to Mexico and was connected with the Mexican Central railroad from 1879 until 1883. He then returned to Lowell’and was associated with his father until 1889, when he went to Davenport under government appointment as engineer in charge of the dam at the Rock Island arsenal. On the completion of the work he decided to make Davenport his home. He has done much work of importance in the city along professional lines, and has also taken an active part in public affairs. From 1891 to 1892 Mr. Francis was commissioner of public works.