FRANCIS M. DIMOND was born in Bristol, Rhode Island around 1858. He traveled to the Caribbean as a young man and served for several years as U.S. consul at Port-au-Prince. He was also U.S. Consul to Mexico, and the extensive knowledge that he acquired there proved invaluable during the U.S. war with Mexico, when he was called to Washington to provide information that would help in the attack on Vera Cruz. After the battle, he served as an official interpreter for General Winfield Scott when the U.S. Army occupied the area and later became Collector of the Port of Vera Cruz. When he returned to Rhode Island, he promoted the Southern Pacific Railway and presided over its construction. Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1853, he assumed the governorship when Philip Allen resigned to become a U.S. Senator. Dimond sought election as governor unsuccessfully the following year.