Francis Ball FAY, Congress, MA (1793-1876)

FAY, Francis Ball, a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Southboro, Worcester County, Mass., June 12, 1793; received a limited education; engaged in mercantile pursuits; postmaster of Southboro from September 15, 1817, to March 29, 1832; deputy sheriff of Worcester County 1824-1830; member of the Massachusetts General Court in 1830 and 1831; moved to Chelsea, which he represented in the Massachusetts General Court from 1834 to 1836 and in 1840; served in the State senate 1843-1845 and again in 1848; elected as a Whig to the Thirty-second Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert Rantoul, Jr., and served from December 13, 1852, to March 3, 1853; was not a candidate for the Thirty-third Congress; mayor of Chelsea in 1857; founded the public library in Southboro, Mass.; settled in Lancaster in 1858; founded the State reform school in Lancaster; again a member of the State senate in 1868; died in South Lancaster, Mass., October 6, 1876; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Mass.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present