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   Clark W. Francy was born in Toronto, Ohio in Jefferson County on February 14, 1886.  Mr. Francy attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland (Class of 1910) where he studied electrical engineering.   He was very much involved in the Sigma Nu fraternity, especially with its Delta Alpha Chapter established in 1907.  An avid musician, Francy devoted much of his time to the Mandolin Club.

   Eventually, Francy married a woman named Amy Shetter, and became the father of their son Robert.  Clark became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army on January 5, 1918 via the Officers’ Reserve Corps Engineers Officers’ Training Corps.  He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in Company B of the 38th Engineers.  His initial duty stations were at Camp Lee and Fort Myer, both in Virginia.  Clark was ordered to Europe as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War I.  He was part of the AEF from June 22, 1918 until April 5, 1919.  While overseas, he became ill.  Honorably discharged from the service on October 20, 1920, Francy was rated 100% disabled.

   Shipped back to the States, Lt. Francy in due course was sent to the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital at Oteen, Asheville Township, in the mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina.  He arrived as an Oteen patient on October 16, 1920.  After surgery on May 4, 1921 designed to relieve his ailments, he died there on May 6, 1921.  The primary cause of death was tuberculosis; a contributing factor was post operative intestinal paralysis.  He was 35 years old.  Clark Wilson Francy is buried at Toronto Union Cemetery, Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio. His grave is located in Section M of the center north section of the old cemetery.

   According to a very close friend of Francy, Mr. R. J. Rice, C. W. was active in the American Legion during his brief stay at the Oteen facility.  A permanent charter in the name of C. W. Francy was issued by the Legion in his honor on October 24, 1924.  North Carolina Post #70 of the American Legion is proud to bear his name.

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