Created by Brian

John Stephen Frans

Birth

9 May 1844

Saint Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA

Death

25 Dec 1916 (aged 72)

Davenport, Lincoln County, Washington, USA

Burial

Frans Cemetery

Fort Spokane, Lincoln County, Washington, USA

Plot

Row 2-16

Memorial ID

44199957

s/o James Madison Frans / Frances Farmer

At an early age accompanied his parents to Grayson county, Texas, subsequently lived in different parts of the Lone Star State, and finally settled in Throckmorton county. He was brought up on a farm, and in the fall of 1861 joined the Texas Rangers, with which company he spent the period during the Civil War on the frontier fighting Indians.  During this time he was in many hand to hand battles and innumerable skirmishes, and at one time while at home on a brief furlough withstood single-handed a band of thirteen of the warlike savages which had attacked his home with the intent to massacre the family. John being the eldest of 6 children, the other members are: Mrs. Elizabeth Thorp Throckmorton Co., TX, Mrs. Susan V. Anderson, William both of OK, Mrs. Nancy Barber of TX and James B. a soldier in the Philippine War.  

In 1874 he went to the country tributary to the river Brazos, where he hunted buffalo, bear, deer and other wild animals. Five years later he started with his family to drive to Walla Walla, and finally arrived after much difficulty, principally caused by the Indians. The journey consumed six months, and it was in the early autumn when the family arrived at its destination. They spent the winter of 1879 near Waitsburg, and came to their present home the following summer. Came to his present homestead, four and a half miles northwest of Egypt, in the year 1880, being among the first settlers in this vicinity, while his family was the first one to permanently locate here. They have one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is suitable for cultivation, well improved and abundantly stocked with all necessary domestic animals with which to successfully carry on the business of farming. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frans were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family is one of the most highly respected in the community. He died at his home in Davenport on Christmas Day.

m 11 Feb 1866 Fort Davis, Stephens Co.,* TX
Mary Louise Sutherlin

They had 9 children - William Madison, Stephen Alexander, Cardelia "Delia" J., James David, Webster, Frances Arminitie, Carol Howden, Cora Lelia, Oscar

ref: WA Death Records 72y7m15d; Frans Cemetery Records wife of John S. Frans - nee Sutherlin Shared stone w/ Oscar Frans; An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country WA 1904; Bio by <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46830270">BluMoKitty</a>
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*Note - <i>The Photograph of John Stephen Frans - It was sent to Mrs. Billie J. Self by <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=193057694">Rodney Frans “Red” Lindquist</a> , photo courtesy of Billie Self</i>

His death certificate says he is buried at the Egypt Cemetery.

John S. was a Texas Ranger enlisting at the age of 19 and was in Stephens County. The following is information from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas.
Name and Rank: Frans, J. S. Pvt
Commanding officer: Curtis, J. W. Capt.
Organization: Stephens County Co. T.S.T.
Enlist: Feb 8, 1864
Discharge: - - - - - -
Description: Age 19 yrs.
Remarks: R & F 63 Enr Off G. E. Miller
Arms- 1 Rifle: 1 M.R.417

1880, Arrived In Lincoln County Washington
Freighted building materials for construction of Ft Spokane
homesteaded 640 acres of wheat land near Ft Spokane, called Egypt.

Married at 4:00 PM at Ft Davis in the residence of the bride's mother.
According to an entry in the Newcombe diary Mary's mother was opposed to the marriage.

Again according to the Newcombe diaries, the couple had planned to marry on February 4th but the Parson's family was ill and he could not leave Palo Pinto at that time. So Stephen waited until the Parson could leave to go back to Ft. Davis as the area was unsafe for the Parson to come alone.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~pda/ps23/ps23_111.htm

Buried at Frans Cemetery
Row: Row 2-16