Frances Adam Bair

Frances Bair was born on Feb. 28, 1853, in Kaysville Utah to John and Jerusha Ann Richardson. Frances was one of the First Settlers of Richmond in 1859. Frances served many callings such as City Marshall, Justice of Peace, Water Supervisor, Street Supervisor, and a member of the City Council.

Early Life

He spent the first six years of his life in the small community.  He was the age of six when he, with his family, entered Cache Valley and settled in Richmond.  

As a child, he lived in the "Old Fort" and the Richmond Fort.  In 1864, when Richmond City was formed, they moved to a home on the south side of where the current parking lot is located for the Cache Valley Auto Sales dealership, 197 S 200 W.

Frances attended school at the Double-log School. It was there he met Maria Brower. 

Mid Life

Frances married Maria Elizabeth Brower on Feb. 17, 1873, in the Salt Lake Endowment house by Squire Wills. He recounts the journey from Richmond to Salt Lake City. 

"We left Richmond on Feb 9 to go to Salt Lake to be married and had to stay in Logan that night. We stayed at Nephi Tarbet's place and caught the train at six o'clock the next morning. The snow was very deep so the first night we go as far as Cottonwood Hallow on the divide, so we spent the next night on the train. The next day we go to Brigham City were we caught the train to Salt Lake. When we got to Salt Lake we stayed at Joseph Bull's place where Maria's father was staying. They only married on Wednesdays so on Wednesday Feb 17, … we were married by Squire Wells. We came home on the train to Brigham City were we hired a team and drove out to Deweyville and stayed at Henry Marble's place. The next day (Feb 19) I.P. Bright and CaDelia Brower went with us to be married and was with us on this entire trip. We got back to Richmond on Feb 21."

For some time in his life, Frances worked on Multiple railroad operations. When at the age of 15, Frances traveled to Blue Creek, Utah to help build and construct the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. In the fall of 1869, Frances worked for the Utah Central Railroad between Ogden and Salt Lake City. In the summer of 1873, Frances and Maria worked for the Utah Northern Railroad that ran through Richmond from Franklin to Logan. Maria was a cook while Frances worked on the grade.

Frances was able to drive many different teams of animals across the country in his lifetime:

1871: Team of four mules from Corrine Utah to Fort Benton on the Missouri River. 

1871: Drove a team of six mules for Al Hobson. 

1872: Drove a team of four mules for Casper Whittle. 

1873: Drove a team of six mules for Casper Whittle. 

1881: Drove a 12 mule team with freight from Dillin, Montana to the North Western territory in Alberta, Canada for Charles LaFever. 

1883: Drove a team from Necolia mine in Idaho to Kames Station making about $30 a month. 

During his time in the freighting business, his son, Hyrum, became very sick. Hyrum died before Frances could return home, and he ended his freight work to come closer to family. 

Frances was also a hunter, fisherman, and trapper. He taught his children how to meet those needs as well.

According to a newspaper clipping, Frances also worked as a blacksmith and shoe mule.1

Civic Duties

From 1892 - 1898, Frances worked for the Richmond Mercantile and Produce Company. During his later years, he farmed most of the time and served numerous civic offices including City Marshall (several terms), Justice of Peace (two terms), Water Supervisor (three terms), and Street Supervisor (one term).

Like his father, John Bair, Frances learned the Native American language and helped to settle matters that were between Chiefs and Americans. He was known as "Bear John's son."

Member of the City Council (? - 1897)

Frances A. Bair served as a member of the City Council for a unknown number of years.

Epilogue

Frances Adam Bair died on Aug 17, 1944 in Smithfield, Utah. He was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.

Sources