My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Putnam County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

John N. Franklin, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 21, 1829. His father, Maj. Anthony Franklin, was born in Amherst County, Va., July 17, 1778, and settled in Highland County, Ohio, in 1795. He was married in Kentucky to Mary Nelson, also a native of Virginia. He was a prominent citizen of Highland County, owning a large tract of land, and during his residence in Highland County of over sixty years served as sheriff and deputy surveyor. During the war he was major of the militia of the county. He died in Brush Creek Township, April 21, 1859. Of a family of ten children born to him, all grew to maturity, although but three are now living: Martha E. (wife of James P. Kreech, who lives upon the old homestead), Nelson A. Franklin, who represented his county in the Legislature several years, and was also a State senator, and our subject. One brother, Cyrus, was also a member of the Legislature. John N. Franklin passed his youth and reached maturity upon the home farm in Highland County, during which time he received a good common-school education. March 25, 1852, he married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of James Lucas, of Highland County. Mrs. Franklin was born and reared in Brook County, Va., and is the mother of six children: Caius C. (married, and in Cheyenne, Neb.), Mark A. (also married and in Nebraska), Nelson A. (attorney at Kirksville), Benjamin and Thomas S., who are teachers, and one son who died in infancy. In 1855 Mr. Franklin left his native county, and located in Putnam County, Mo., buying 160 acres of Chariton River bottom land, where he has since resided. He has since added to his present purchase, and now owns over 800 acres of good land, half bottom land, most of his land being fenced, and a large portion devoted to meadows and pastures. He is a model farmer, a good business man, and a respected citizen. In politics he is Independent, and in creed a Methodist. Mrs. Franklin belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 139 biographies included in the Putnam County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Putnam County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Putnam County, Missouri family biographies here: Putnam County, Missouri Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.