Frances J. Pray

Frances J. Haggard is believed to be the daughter of John Haggard and wife Nancy "Ann" Snelling. She was born on May 28, 1825 in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. She married Samuel F. Pray. She died December 12, 1907, in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota and was buried beside Samuel at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

The details of Frances' early life is purely speculative. There is no proof that she was the daughter of Nancy Snelling. Her father's name is listed as "John Haggud" on her death certificate. Once she reaches the age to marry, there is more substantial information on her life.

Frances married Samuel F. Pray on November 26, 1848. He was born in Massachusetts in 1821 and later settled in Illinois. He started as a farmer in Illinois, then became a merchant. He and Frances moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1880, where they became involved in philanthropy, supporting their church and giving funds to build a hospital.

Frances appears in the 1850 US Census for Hancock County, Illinois, listed as a 25-year-old woman, born in Kentucky, and living with her husband.

After Samuel's death, Frances' name appears often in legal journals. Several court cases were instigated over Frances' and the trustees' handling of the estate. The legal battles continued even after her death.