My Genealogy Hound

John B. Franklin has been located in Ashley County, Ark., since 1859, and during the long term of years in which he has resided here he has won the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent and well posted man in all public affairs. He was born in Mississippi in 1849, to John A. Franklin, a deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church, who died in 1858. John B. Franklin was brought up to a farm life, but after he came to the State of Arkansas he received little or no schooling. At the age of twenty-three he settled on Bearhouse Creek, purchased eighty acres of land, and there, with his newly wedded wife, he began to till the soil, but at the end of five years, or in 1878, he moved to his present abode. Owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path, and to his adoption of new and improved methods, together with industry and good judgment, he is now the owner of 420 acres of valuable land, which yields an average crop, vegetables, fruits, etc., being also raised in abundance. His marriage, which occurred on February 12, 1873, was to Miss Malinda, a daughter of Joshua Cone, but he was called upon to mourn her death on August 14, 1883. After remaining a widower until April 6, 1884, he was married to Miss Lukie Pierce, whose father was Henry Pierce, of Drew County. His third marriage took place on September 11, 1886, the maiden name of his wife being Henrietta Straughn, whose father, J. W. Straughn, died in Mississippi on June 3, 1862. To Mr. Franklin’s first union the following family was born: Alvin L. (who was born December 15, 1873, and died November 8, 1878), Oliver D. (who was born September 24, 1875, and died August. 19, 1881), David E. (born February 25, 1877, and died September 24, 1879), Ida M. (born July 28, 1878), George A. (born March 10, 1880), and Eva M. (born July 11, 1882). No children were born to his second union, but his present wife has borne him two children: Mary E. (who was born on July 5, 1888). and Seleta Parilea (who was born February 5, 1890). Mr. Franklin is a Democrat, a member of the K. of H., and since eighteen years of age has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a deacon in the same since twenty-five years of age.