Mrs. O. J. Francis- Letter From President

FRANCIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/1/2016 at 13:33:14

The Iowa State Register
29 January 1904

Iowa Family of Holly Springs, Iowa, Congratulated by the President

Eldora, Iowa—January 28- (Special)- Another Iowa family has been greatly admired and written to by the president of the United States and Mrs. O. J. Francis, of Holly Springs, Iowa, now has in her possession a letter of congratulations written by the president on account of her being the mother of a family of seventeen children, Sixteen of these children are now living and the oldest is Mrs. Alice Ringrose of Sioux City, who is 31 years of age. All of the children were born and raised in Woodbury County. Secretary Shaw showed the photograph of this remarkable family to the president and he wrote to Mrs. Francis the following letter:
“Dear Madam; Secretary Shaw has handed me the interesting photograph of your family. I am very glad to have it and to heartily congratulate Mr. Francis and especially yourself. You are the type of citizens that I admire. Please accept my best wishes for all your children and believe me sincerely yours.

Theodore Roosevelt

Mrs. Francis, the mother, is fifty years of age and the husband is a few years her senior. Mr. Francis is a native of England.