David Rowland Francis

David Rowland Francis (born October 1, 1850 in Richmond , Madison County , Kentucky , † January 15, 1927 in St. Louis , Missouri ) was an American politician . He was mayor of the city of St. Louis, Governor of the State of Missouri, interior minister and ambassador in Russia . He belonged to the Democratic Party .

Early years

Francis graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1870 . He was a successful entrepreneur in St. Louis and married Jane Perry in 1876, with whom he had six sons. In 1877 he founded his own company, the DR Francis and Brothers Commission Company , and from 1884 presided over the city's merchants' association.

Political career

Francis was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1884 and became Mayor of St. Louis the following year, replacing William L. Ewing . He held this office until 1889. On November 6, 1888, he was elected as a candidate for the new governor of his state and on January 14, 1889, he was introduced to his new office. Francis was governor of Missouri from 1889 to 1893; to this day he is the only mayor of St. Louis to hold this office. During his four year tenure, Barnes Medical College was founded. At that time, a state union ( State Federation of Labor ) was also formed in Missouri . In addition, an arbitration tribunal for disputed labor issues was set up.

In the cabinet of Grover Cleveland , Francis was Secretary of the Interior of the United States from September 3, 1896 to March 5, 1897 after the resignation of Michael Hoke Smith .

Another résumé

Francis giving the signal for the opening of the world exhibition

After leaving the government, he worked as an entrepreneur again. He organized the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition , which also included the III. Olympic Games were held. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Francis Ambassador to Russia in 1916 . He was the last US ambassador to be received at the Tsar's court and the last to reside in Saint Petersburg . After the February Revolution of 1917 , he was the first foreign diplomat to recognize the new government. As a result of the October Revolution , he moved the embassy to Vologda . He left Russia on November 7, 1918, and the embassy was closed ten months later.

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personal data
SURNAME	Francis, David Rowland
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	October 1, 1850
PLACE OF BIRTH	Richmond , Kentucky
DATE OF DEATH	January 15, 1927
Place of death	St. Louis , Missouri