My Genealogy Hound

Judge John Franklin. Among the many prominent and esteemed citizens of Dallas County, and among those deserving special recognition for their long residence in the same, stands the name of the above mentioned gentleman, who was born in Moniteau County, Mo., August 20, 1834, and is the son of John and Susan (Foster) Franklin, natives of North Carolina. John Franklin was married in North Carolina, and afterward immigrated to East Tennessee, going from there to Central Illinois, where he remained for some time, but afterward moved to Moniteau County, Mo. Later they moved to Dallas County, of the same State, and here both died, the father in 1862, at the age of eighty-six, and the mother in 1851, at the age of fifty-five years. They were both members of the Baptist Church for many years, and he was a Republican in politics after the organization of that party. To their marriage were born eleven sons and one daughter, and of this large family only two are living: Nancy and John. Nancy is the wife of Green Stafford, who was a Union soldier, and died during the war. She is now living in Jasper Township, Dallas County. Judge John Franklin remained with his parents until their deaths, taking care and providing for them in their old age. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, Federal Army, and served sixteen months and a half, when he received a gunshot wound in the right side, which disabled him from further service. Previous to the war, December 23, 1852, he married Miss Lavina Flannagan, who was born in Illinois July 16, 1832, and who is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Holly) Flannagan. This union resulted in the birth of six sons and one daughter: Andrew J., William T., Albert J., George R., Joseph H., Almus M. and Mary. Judge Franklin has been a farmer and stock raiser all his life, and as such has been successful. He has 240 acres of land, with the greater portion under cultivation and well improved. In 1872 he went to Wilson County, Kas., and lost considerable money on this venture, but has since made good the loss. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and is J. W. of Reddick Lodge No. 361, also a member of Lodge No. 430, I. O. O. F., at Buffalo, and is a member of the Wheel. He was constable of Jasper Township for eight years, and in 1882 was elected county judge, and re-elected in 1884. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist Church.