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Belgians in the Civil War

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Francis Palms was the President of the People's Savings Bank from its organization until his death.

He was a native of Antwerp, Belgium, and came to Detroit in 1832. He was for a time intimately associated with Joseph Campau, and from him imbibed those impressions which served to guide, and which afterwards resulted in laying the foundation for his course in life, and the accumulation of great wealth.

Subsequently he became interested with Franklin Moore in the purchase of large tracts of mineral and pine lands, which his tenacious will enabled him to hold until they realized to him a large return.

This, and his reputation for carefulness, integrity and good judgment, placed him in several positions of responsibility and trust, and especially at the head of the People's Savings Bank. His various duties and trusts always had dilligent attention, even after failing health and advancing years had come to him. Reliability was the marked and crowning characteristic of his business life.
Mr. Palms was a little above the medium, inclined forward in walking, slender in frame, and was not of marked physical appearance.

His regular features, broad forehead, and thoughtful eyes, indicated depth of character and financial ability. No liking for politics, or ambition for office was ever revealed. As a quiet and unassuming citizen be preferred only business advancement, and the promotion of his pecuniary interests.

In his latter years, investments in city property was regarded favorably, and w exemplified by the erection of several business blocks on the main thoroughfares of Detroit. His demise occurred in November, 1886, in the 77th year of his age.

Source : Carlisle, Fred. : Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest Territory and Wayne County : period embraced, 1531-1890 : together with biographical sketches of the early explorers and pioneers; Detroit: O.S. Gulley, Bornman & Co., printers, 1890, 487 pgs.