Francis L. Sexton, a well known citizen of Topeka, Kan., was born on a farm at Wellington, Ohio, May 1, 1830. His parents were Sylvester and Sarah D. (Hotchkiss) Sexton, the former a native of Augusta, Oneida county, New York, where he was born July 9, 1799, and after a long and useful life he passed away in Topeka, Kan., April 12, 1890. His wife, Sarah D. Hotchkiss, was also a native of New York state, having been born in Delaware county on April 14, 1804; she died in her ninety-first year at Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 16, 1894. These honored parents were married at Saybrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on Nov. 23, 1825, and were blessed with the following children: Martha C., born Nov. 4, 1826; Orline, born July 27, 1828; Francis L., born May 1, 1830; Charles A., born July 10, 1833; Maryett C., born July 11, 1836; Sarah Ann, born July 24, 1842; and Arthur E., born March 9, 1850. Of these children Orline, Frances L., Charles A., Maryett C. and Arthur E. are living. Sylvester Sexton was the son of Ezra Sexton, a Revolutionary patriot, who fought with the New York troops for American independence. Shortly after his marriage Sylvester Sexton removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, locating in the wooded wilderness where the town of Wellington is now located. He built a log cabin on his wild tract of land and in it Francis L. and the rest of his children were born. Francis L. Sexton was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life and received his education in the primitive schools of that day and at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one he began his independent career by engaging in farming and stock raising, which he successfully followed until he came to Topeka in 1869. On his arrival here he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed until recent years, when he practically retired from active business pursuits.

Mr. Sexton has been twice married, his first marriage occurring on Nov. 30, 1854, when Miss Julia Burdett, a native of England, became his wife. She came to America when a small girl and was reared and educated here. She died in Topeka on Nov. 3, 1887. To this union three children were born: Eva A., born Nov. 15, 1857, now Mrs. Eva A. Scott of Topeka; Nina B., born May 8, 1859, now Mrs. Nina B. Duden of El Paso, Tex.; and Guy F., born Nov. 3, 1867, now a resident of Topeka. On Feb. 14, 1889, Mr. Sexton contracted his second marriage by choosing for his wife Miss Ella Crocker, an estimable young lady of Topeka, but a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born Jan. 1, 1855. Mr. Sexton has been a lifelong Republican and a member of the Congregational church, while Mrs. Sexton belongs to the Christian denomination and both take an active interest in church affairs. They reside in their pleasant home at 521 Topeka avenue, Topeka, where they expect to end their days amid the scenes of their business activity and of happy associations that make this the most desirable spot on earth to both.