Francis Edgar Daves, son of Daniel C. Daves and Avaline Conlee, was born 14 February 1848 in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Francis was a twin to Eliza V. Daves.

On 13 July 1869, Francis (age 21) married Jane Elizabeth Frost (age about 15), daughter of Eleazer Frost and Jane Elizabeth Prisbrey. (California, County Marriages, 1850-1952) Jane Elizabeth Frost was the sister of Erwin Frost who had married Mary E. Daves, the older sister of Francis. In other words, Frost siblings married Daves siblings. After their marriage, Francis and Jane settled in Burnett Township in Santa Clara Valley where Francis farmed until about 1882. During this time Francis and Jane had 3 children -- Edgar Daniel, Glen Cora and Arthur Lawrence.

By 1882, Francis (age about 34) was in Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona living with his parents and several younger siblings. That same year he was also registered as a voter in Benson, Cochise County, Arizona where he was doing carpenter work. Apparently, he returned to Santa Clara County because two more children were born to the Francis and Jane --Minnie Jane and Della Myrtle

In 1891, Francis left the family. In 1894, Jane was granted a divorce in 1894 on grounds of “desertion and failure to provide.”

About 1895, Francis (age about 47) married Elizabeth Jane (Jennie) Thompson (age about 43). Jennie had previously been married to Myron Coleman Close. In 1900, Francis and Jennie lived in San Francisco, California. By 1905, they had moved to Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. During this time, Francis continued to work as a carpenter.

Francis died on 15 February 1924 in Redwood City. (California Death Index, 1905-1939) His obituary, in part, reads: “The funeral of Francis E. Daves, who died yesterday, will be held at 3 o’clock this afternoon from the chapel of the Crowe Undertaking Company. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Harry Owen. Burial will in Union Cemetery.” (Redwood City Tribune, 16 February 1924)
Bio by K. O’Brien
Revised 26 February 2021)