My Genealogy Hound

Franklin Bird Hale, another prominent farmer of Osceola, whose time thus far has been spent in furthering the agricultural interests of the county, is a native of Maury County, Tenn., born January 1, 1851, and is the tenth in a family of eleven children born to Bird S. and Martha Ann (Dyer) Hale [see sketch of J. K. P. Hale]. Franklin Bird Hale’s experiences have been in the direction of agricultural pursuits, and in this calling he has met with the results due a lifetime of active energy. He began for himself at the age of nineteen, by renting land, and after one crop moved to Pope County, where he remained nearly a year. There he met and married Miss Mary M. Wells, a native of this State. Her father came to Arkansas about 1855, where he accumulated considerable property, but lost most of it during the war. He died about June, 1874. Mr. Hale then returned to Osceola, where he clerked for his brother, W. P. Hale, in a general store, for three years, after which he engaged in a general store for himself, continuing this about one year. In connection with his brother, W. P., he bought a tract of land known as the Witherspoon farm, consisting of 1,200 acres, 190 acres of which were cleared. They have since opened 400 acres of this. In the year 1884 Mr. Hale sold his interest to his brother for $10,000, and then bought a tract of eighty acres adjoining the town, and some town lots. This tract is under cultivation. Mr. Hale has purchased a fine residence in town, and has now one of the most pleasant places in Osceola. He has also bought a tract of forty acres, one-half of which is under cultivation, and in 1880 he bought another forty-acres tract, all under cultivation. He has also one-fourth interest in eighty acres of wild land. He is a member of the Osceola Blue Lodge No. 27; is a member of Osceola Chapter No. 57, and also of the Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 1, K. T., at Little Rock. He is Past Master of the Blue Lodge, and is Principal Sojourner in the Chapter. He has served as school director for a number of years. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hale were born eight children (four now living): James L. (attending school at Altus, Ark.), Charles Franklin (deceased), Elizabeth Pearl (deceased), Emma Wells (died in May, 1888), Grace (died in March, 1882), Willie P., Pearl and Charles. The family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hale is active in all matters that promise to contribute to the good of this section. He is improving the grade of his stock; has some fine breeding animals, horses and cattle, and has quite a number of thoroughbred Chester hogs. The beautiful residence and lawn of Mr. Hale are ornaments to the town, and the fine farm, under a high state of cultivation, is only another example of the enterprise of this prominent family.