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Charles France

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Charles France

Birth	:	29 Dec 1865 Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois, USA
Death	:	26 Jun 1951 Blythedale, Harrison County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6250000, -93.9475021
Plot	:	Section 2, Lot 413, Space 2
Description	:	MOTHER: Alice C. Carter FATHER: Thomas William France WIFE: Florence Jane Woolfenden, m. 10/8/1900 Utah Obituary - Charles France The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, IA, 7/5/1951, pg6 Charles France died early Tuesday morning, June 26 in his home in Blythedale, Mo. He was one of the early settlers of the Lamoni region who figured in building the community. He was born in Kewanee, Ill., Dec. 29, 1865. When he was 19, in 1884, his family came among the Latter Day Saints who gathered here to share in building a church community. They built the large house on South State Street,... Read More	MOTHER: Alice C. Carter FATHER: Thomas William France WIFE: Florence Jane Woolfenden, m. 10/8/1900 Utah Obituary - Charles France The Lamoni Chronicle, Lamoni, IA, 7/5/1951, pg6 Charles France died early Tuesday morning, June 26 in his home in Blythedale, Mo. He was one of the early settlers of the Lamoni region who figured in building the community. He was born in Kewanee, Ill., Dec. 29, 1865. When he was 19, in 1884, his family came among the Latter Day Saints who gathered here to share in building a church community. They built the large house on South State Street, known for many years as the "France home," more recently as "the Pines." He was the last of the five Frances who had shared in the life of this area. Others were his brother Will and his three sisters, Mrs. Jane Stanley, later of Andover, Mo., Mrs. Margaret Ford and Mrs. Eliza Chase of Lamoni and Independence, Mo. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles France reads like the chapter of a book. She was born in Lancaster, England as Florence Woolfender. When 15 she came to America after joining "the Utah church" in England and went to Salt Lake City. In the West she came in contact with the Reorganized church and became affiliated with it. One missionary couple she met in Seattle, Wash., was Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Chase. Through them she started corresponding with Charles France. She came to Lamoni in the spring of 1900 to attend a general conference of the church. Here she and Charles France met. Later that year he went to Utah and then they married. The couple began their home life in Lamoni and have lived here all their married life except for five years in Omaha and recent years in Blythedale. Last year they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, here In Lamoni. Charles France was active in earlier business life in Lamoni—in the telephone company, lumber, real estate and farming. He also served several years on the town council. Four children were born to the France family. The oldest died in infancy. Mrs. Helene Lewis lives In Panama City, Panama, where Mr. Lewis represents Swift and company. Charles and Ray are in business in St. Joseph, Mo. Charles France was a member of the Reorganized Latter Day Saint church, having been baptized in Lamoni, Feb. 2, 1890. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Marsh funeral chapel, Roy A. Cheville conducted the service. Published Biography (1915) History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People Illustrated, Vol II, pp 296-97 Charles France, the president of the Lamoni Telephone Company, is in active control of that concern and its success is due largely to his able management of its affairs. His birth occurred in Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, December 29, 1863, and he is a brother of W. A. France, further mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Charles France received his education in the public schools of Illinois, but in his youth accompanied the family to Decatur county and for about fifteen years resided upon the home farm in Fayette township. He was then for five years engaged in carrying mail to Togo but at the end of that time turned his attention to other pursuits and was for a while connected with a meat market and later was identified with the lumber business in connection with his brother W. A. Upon the discontinuance of that association he became interested in the telephone field and for a number of years has been president of the Lamoni Telephone Company, which has a large number of subscribers and the volume of whose business has shown a steady growth from the time of the organization of the company. Mr. France gives the greater part of his attention to the direction of its affairs and has proved a capable executive, one who does not lose sight of the larger problems of administration and who at the same time is able to keep a close watch on the details of the business. He owns the fine post office building, which he erected, is interested in land and has considerable real estate. Mr. France married Miss Florence Woolfenden, a native of England, who emigrated to America when but fourteen years of age in company with her widowed mother. They located in Utah and there she met Mr. France. To their union have been born three children, Helene, Charles and Roy Kenneth, all attending school. Mr. France is a democrat and for twelve years has been a member of the town board and during the past two years he has also served as township trustee. Since attaining his majority he has manifested a lively interest in everything relating to the civic welfare and is recognized as a public-spirited citizen. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints and the various phases of the activity of the church profit by their cooperation and material aid. Mr. France rightly ranks among the leading business men of Lamoni and Decatur county and has used his excellent judgment and power of initiative for the benefit of the community as well as for his individual gain, the Lamoni Telephone Company under his direction giving excellent service at reasonable rates. His fine home in the western part of Lamoni has been lately remodeled and both he and his wife find pleasure in entertaining their friends there. In his early manhood he traveled extensively over the western part of the United States but he found no section that offered greater opportunities than Decatur county, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community. The Lamoni Telephone Company, which was promoted by W. A. Hopkins, was incorporated in 1897. The line extends through Decatur and Ringgold counties, Iowa, and Harrison county, Missouri, and through its connections with the Bell Telephone Company gives its subscribers long distance as well as local service. The company employs about five girls, a number of linemen and two or three men who assist Mr. France in the office work. The present officers are: Charles France, president; W. A. Grenawalt, vice president; Dr. W. J. Mather, secretary; and G. H. Derry, treasurer. The above named gentlemen also constitute the board of directors.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles France's memorial?
Charles France's memorial is located at: Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Decatur County, USA.
When did Charles France death?
Charles France death on 26 Jun 1951 in Blythedale, Harrison County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles France's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6250000
Longitude: -93.9475021

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas William France

(1832 - 1900)

Alice C. Carter France

(1834 - 1922)

Spouse

Florence Jane Woolfenden France

(1869 - 1963)

Siblings

Margaret M France Ford

(1859 - 1945)

William Albert France

(1863 - 1934)

Children

Infant France

(1901 - 1901)

Roy Kenneth “Rip” France

(1909 - 1983)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Rose Hill Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6250000, -93.9475021

2. Sweet Home Cemetery
Fayette Township, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5946550, -93.9566660

3. Lillie Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6565829, -93.9418602

4. Creveling Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6309232, -93.8984728

5. Hollen Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5952000, -94.0097000

6. Lewis Cemetery
Kellerton, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6588500, -94.0280500

7. Andover Cemetery
Andover, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5588989, -93.9008026

8. Terre Haute Cemetery
Terre Haute, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6836646, -93.8800621

9. Bucy Cemetery
Decatur City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6902056, -93.8869286

10. New Buda Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6027448, -93.8314819

11. Patrick Cemetery
Riley Township, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5900000, -94.0586000

12. Downey Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5581017, -93.8606033

13. Elk Cemetery
Lamoni, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7210467, -93.9390707

14. Mount Zion Cemetery
Riley Township, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5960000, -94.0731000

15. IOOF Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6405800, -93.8174600

16. Miller Cemetery
Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7026000, -93.8592000

17. Anderson Cemetery
Eagleville, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5293503, -93.9983292

18. Mount Pleasant No 2 Baptist Church Cemetery
Blythedale, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5300010, -93.8916160

19. Old Davis City Cemetery
Davis City, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6415100, -93.8115800

20. Brown Cemetery
Eagleville, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5447006, -94.0357971

21. Millsap Cemetery
Grand River, Decatur County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7333310, -93.9502260

22. Maple Row Cemetery
Kellerton, Ringgold County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7077700, -94.0424500

23. Catholic Cemetery
Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5522003, -93.8380966

24. Payne Cemetery
Hatfield, Harrison County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5592003, -94.0733032