Franklin, Charles

FORD, MEYER, GARDNER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/20/2009 at 21:44:15

Charles Franklin, mayor of Tripoli and connected with business interests as president of the Franklin Land & Loan Company, was born in Fremont township in 1837. He is a son of John Franklin, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1829, and who came to the United States as a young man, living in Ohio and Wisconsin until 1854. In that year he entered government land in Bremer county upon which he settled in 1855. He owned at one time three hundred and twenty acres and he made his home upon this property until 1880, when he moved into Tripoli and engaged extensively in importing horses. Ten years later he retired from active life, making his home in Tripoli until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. In Wisconsin he married Miss Eliza Ford, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1830, and died in April, 1913, when she was in her eighty-fourth year. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of six children: George, who was the first white boy born in Fremont township and who died in 1911 at Allison, Iowa; Charles, of this review; Jennie, the wife of Fred Meyer, of Fremont township; Ben, who operates the home farm; Minnie, who died at the age of two; and Arvilla, at home. The paternal branch of this family has been in Iowa since pioneer times. The grandparents of the subject of this review, John and Jane Franklin, came to Bremer county in 1855 and both passed away here, the grandfather dying in 1860 and his wife in 1876. They had three sons: John, father of the subject of this review; and James and Edward, who accompanied their parents to Bremer county in 1855. Both have passed away but John, the son of James Franklin, makes his home in Fremont township. Edward Franklin's children have scattered throughout the country and his widow makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

Charles Franklin acquired his education in the district schools of Fremont township and in Lennox College of Hopkinton and the State Normal of Cedar Falls and when he began his independent career he taught for four years in the schools of Bremer county and then went to South Dakota, where he engaged in the clothing business for five years. At the end of that time he returned to Tripoli and became manager for the J.C. Gardner lumberyard, retaining this position for six years. He then turned his attention to the real-estate business, in which he has since continued. He is presdient of the Franklin Land & Loan Company which he has made a large and profitable business concern.

In additon to his business interests Mr. Franklin is also active in politics, giving intelligent support to all measures and movements for community advancement and development. He is mayor of Tripoli and is recognized as an excellent executive who understands municipal affairs and is giving to the city a businesslike and practical adminisration.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914