France was the founding member of the El Paso County Pioneers' Association., the operator of Colorado Springs's first telegraph office, one of the five members of the city's first town board, and served two terms as the mayor of Colorado Springs.
Here Lies Colorado Springs: Historical Figures Buried in Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries.
By Denise Oldach
HON. MATT FRANCE.
Mr. France, one of Colorado's pioneers and a gentleman well known to nearly all the residents of El Paso County, was born in Roanoke County, Va., September 2, 1830. He received his education at Botetourt Springs Academy in that State. In 1850, he removed to South Bend, Ind., where he entered a journalistic career, and when Schuyler Colfax first ran for Congress Mr. France took charge of Mr. Col-fax's paper. In 1854, he emigrated to Kansas, and during the Kansas troubles did not hesitate to affirm that he was a Free-State man. He remained in Kansas until 1860, when he found his health rapidly failing him, and decided to follow the setting sun to the then almost unknown Colorado, which he did, thus becoming one of the first to seek-health in this salubrious climate, and during most of the journey across the plains was confined to his bed. He settled in Central City, Gilpin County, and from 1863 to 1867 was employed as telegrapher. During the latter year removed to Georgetown, Clear Creek County, where he was engaged in mining until 1870, since which time he has been a resident of El Paso County, his principal business being stock-raising, and is still owner of the Jimmy Camp ranch. In 1871, he was elected County Commissioner, which office he has, by re-election, since held. In the spring of 1878, he was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, and in 1880 was re-elected, but subsequently resigned. Mr. France has been one of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute since its organization. He is one of the Trustees of the Colorado College at Colorado Springs, and has been President of the School Board the past two years.
Source: El Paso County, Colorado Biographies
Big thanks to Scott B for this information!
Here Lies Colorado Springs: Historical Figures Buried in Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries.
By Denise Oldach
HON. MATT FRANCE.
Mr. France, one of Colorado's pioneers and a gentleman well known to nearly all the residents of El Paso County, was born in Roanoke County, Va., September 2, 1830. He received his education at Botetourt Springs Academy in that State. In 1850, he removed to South Bend, Ind., where he entered a journalistic career, and when Schuyler Colfax first ran for Congress Mr. France took charge of Mr. Col-fax's paper. In 1854, he emigrated to Kansas, and during the Kansas troubles did not hesitate to affirm that he was a Free-State man. He remained in Kansas until 1860, when he found his health rapidly failing him, and decided to follow the setting sun to the then almost unknown Colorado, which he did, thus becoming one of the first to seek-health in this salubrious climate, and during most of the journey across the plains was confined to his bed. He settled in Central City, Gilpin County, and from 1863 to 1867 was employed as telegrapher. During the latter year removed to Georgetown, Clear Creek County, where he was engaged in mining until 1870, since which time he has been a resident of El Paso County, his principal business being stock-raising, and is still owner of the Jimmy Camp ranch. In 1871, he was elected County Commissioner, which office he has, by re-election, since held. In the spring of 1878, he was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, and in 1880 was re-elected, but subsequently resigned. Mr. France has been one of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute since its organization. He is one of the Trustees of the Colorado College at Colorado Springs, and has been President of the School Board the past two years.
Source: El Paso County, Colorado Biographies
Big thanks to Scott B for this information!
France was the founding member of the El Paso County Pioneers' Association., the operator of Colorado Springs's first telegraph office, one of the five members of the city's first town board, and served two terms as the mayor of Colorado Springs.
Here Lies Colorado Springs: Historical Figures Buried in Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries.
By Denise Oldach
HON. MATT FRANCE.
Mr. France, one of Colorado's pioneers and a gentleman well known to nearly all the residents of El Paso County, was born in Roanoke County, Va., September 2, 1830. He received his education at Botetourt Springs Academy in that State. In 1850, he removed to South Bend, Ind., where he entered a journalistic career, and when Schuyler Colfax first ran for Congress Mr. France took charge of Mr. Col-fax's paper. In 1854, he emigrated to Kansas, and during the Kansas troubles did not hesitate to affirm that he was a Free-State man. He remained in Kansas until 1860, when he found his health rapidly failing him, and decided to follow the setting sun to the then almost unknown Colorado, which he did, thus becoming one of the first to seek-health in this salubrious climate, and during most of the journey across the plains was confined to his bed. He settled in Central City, Gilpin County, and from 1863 to 1867 was employed as telegrapher. During the latter year removed to Georgetown, Clear Creek County, where he was engaged in mining until 1870, since which time he has been a resident of El Paso County, his principal business being stock-raising, and is still owner of the Jimmy Camp ranch. In 1871, he was elected County Commissioner, which office he has, by re-election, since held. In the spring of 1878, he was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, and in 1880 was re-elected, but subsequently resigned. Mr. France has been one of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute since its organization. He is one of the Trustees of the Colorado College at Colorado Springs, and has been President of the School Board the past two years.
Source: El Paso County, Colorado Biographies
Big thanks to Scott B for this information!
Here Lies Colorado Springs: Historical Figures Buried in Evergreen and Fairview Cemeteries.
By Denise Oldach
HON. MATT FRANCE.
Mr. France, one of Colorado's pioneers and a gentleman well known to nearly all the residents of El Paso County, was born in Roanoke County, Va., September 2, 1830. He received his education at Botetourt Springs Academy in that State. In 1850, he removed to South Bend, Ind., where he entered a journalistic career, and when Schuyler Colfax first ran for Congress Mr. France took charge of Mr. Col-fax's paper. In 1854, he emigrated to Kansas, and during the Kansas troubles did not hesitate to affirm that he was a Free-State man. He remained in Kansas until 1860, when he found his health rapidly failing him, and decided to follow the setting sun to the then almost unknown Colorado, which he did, thus becoming one of the first to seek-health in this salubrious climate, and during most of the journey across the plains was confined to his bed. He settled in Central City, Gilpin County, and from 1863 to 1867 was employed as telegrapher. During the latter year removed to Georgetown, Clear Creek County, where he was engaged in mining until 1870, since which time he has been a resident of El Paso County, his principal business being stock-raising, and is still owner of the Jimmy Camp ranch. In 1871, he was elected County Commissioner, which office he has, by re-election, since held. In the spring of 1878, he was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, and in 1880 was re-elected, but subsequently resigned. Mr. France has been one of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute since its organization. He is one of the Trustees of the Colorado College at Colorado Springs, and has been President of the School Board the past two years.
Source: El Paso County, Colorado Biographies
Big thanks to Scott B for this information!
Gravesite Details
Buried beside him are his wife Annie and her relatives Joseph, Rosa, and Elva Parsons.
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