Francis M. Fern

     Francis M. Fern was born on 16 August 1859 at Glasgow, Springburn Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.¹ He was the son of John Fern Sr and Mary Rice.

Francis was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 7 April 1861 at Woodburn Land 1 Springburn Rd, Springburn, Pariish of Springburn, Lananarkshire, Scotland, as Francis Ferren. He is a 1 year old male born circa 1860 in Springburn, Lanarkshire. He is enumerated as a son.²

Francis was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 1 June 1870 at Hickory Twp, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, as Francis Fearns. Francis is listed as 11 years of age and works as a coal miner. He was born in Scotland.³

Francis was enumerated with John Fern Sr on the census of 1 June 1880 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Francis Ferns. Francis is listed as a 19 year old single white male. He works as a coal miner and was born in Scotland. Both of his parents were born in Ireland.⁴

Francis M. Fern married Carrie Lyons, daughter of John Lyons and Catherine Gavin, on 31 December 1884 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas. (Attendants were John O'Malley and Johanna Lyons).^5,6

Francis was enumerated with John Lyons on the census of 15 March 1885 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Francis Ferin. Francis is a 25 year old married white male born in Scotland. He works as a coal miner and came from Pennsylvania to Kansas.⁷
The following appeared in the local paper dated 3 Sep 1897 Last Sunday evening as Frances and John Ferns and Mat Walters were returning from Weir they were overtaken by two amature highway men and would-be toughs, armed with a Winchester and a revolver. The Dalton gang were looking for a fight and the Ferns boys are the most accommodating people in this district. At the end of the first round referee Walters declared the Ferns boys winners and gave them the gate receipts, a winchester and revolver. Moral: Don't challenge the Ferns boys unless you are in perfect training and can land several knock out blows.⁸

Francis is head of household on the census of 1 June 1900 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Francis Ferns. Francis is 39 year old white male born in Scotland Aug 1860. He is a coal miner and both of his parents were born in Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in 1866. Enumerated with him were Carrie Lyons, May Fern and Kate Fern.⁹
The following appeared in the Scammon paper: Francis Fern, who is with the Santa Cruz Copper Co. of Patagonia, Arizona writes that he is much pleased with his work and likes the country fine.¹⁰
Francis M. Fern died in April 1934 at 307 West Sixth (at the home), Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, at age 74.¹¹
An obituary was in the local newspaper: Francis Fern, Sr., 74 pioneer of this section and retired coal operator, died at 7 o'clock at the home, 307 West Sixth. A cerebral hemorrhage was reported as the cause of death. Mr. Fern was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Aug 16, 1859.. He came to this country with his parents at the age of nine years. The family settled in Youngstown, O., but Mr. Fern came to Scammon in early manhood and lived here until about four years ago, when he moved to Pittsburg. While he made his home in Scammon, Mr. Fern spent several years in Arizona as superintendent of silver mines. He also spent several years in Waverly, Mo., as superintendent for the Waverly Coal & Mining Company. In 1913 and 1914 Mr. Fern was a deputy mine inspector for this district under Francis Keegan. Several years ago Mr. Fern and John Lyons leased the Western No. 21 mine near Scammon and operated it under the name Fern-Lyons Coal Company. In about 1925 Mr. Fern, his brothers, and his son and son-in-law worked the Central No. 49 mine as the Fern Brothers Coal Company. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs Carrie Fern; five daughters, Mrs. Thomas Quinn, 214 West Adams, Mrs. Thomas Murphy of the home, Miss Jennie Fern of the home, Mrs. E. J. Huycke of Ellsworth and Mrs. Martin Usher, 516 West Forest; one son Francis Fern, jr., of the home; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Sister Edmund of Denver and Mother Bridget of Nerinx, Ky., and two brothers, Joe and James Fern, both of Scammon.¹