He had good business ability which he combined with marked ability in mechanical skill, calculating and inventing. He had a good memory and some literary ability. He was not inclined towards music, art or scientific matters. His most successful work was in the building of houses for sale. In this he displayed marked foresight and prudence, locating in the rapidly growing city of Los Angeles in California.

While all the boys of the family spent their early years on a farm, they all left it before they became of age. Francis began to teach in country schools and took some courses at the Illinois State Normal University. However, teaching did not appeal to him and he went into the lumber business, having previously taken a course at the Spaulding's Business College in Kansas City Mo., from which he graduated in February 1886. After a few years in the lumber business [as an accountant] in Kansas and Illinois he moved to California and located in Los Angeles in 1900. In a short time he began the building of houses for sale and has continued to live in this city. He was very successful in this business.

[Francis "served" on the jury for the famous MacNamara brothers trial in 1911, although they changed their plea to guilty before jury selection was compete.]

He was a member of the Methodist Church and affiliated with the Republican party. However in matters of religion and politics he was more or less independent in his thinking and voting. He was affiliated with the Masonic and Mod. Woodmen lodges.

In early life he was a newspaper correspondent and later published articles in The Modern Thinker as follows: "The Sons of God go forth to War" (Oct. 1934), "God and Mammon" (Aug. 1935), and "The Consecration of Violence" (Aug. 1936).

[Despite the mentions of success, Francis seems to have been in financial straits at times, e.g. the 1930s. He spent a great deal of time caring for son Donald in the 20's and 30's, because of Donald's paralytic condition.]