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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miller County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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.

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W. T. Franklin, an energetic farmer residing in Pleasant Mount, was born in St. Louis County, Mo., in 1832, being the third in a family of eleven children born to John S. and Susan M. (Harrison) Franklin, who were born in Virginia, and immigrated to Kentucky when young. In 1818 they located in St. Louis County, Mo., moving in 1833 to Cole County, a portion of which is now called Miller, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying January 21, 1878. He was born December 13, 1804. His wife died March 10, 1887. Their children are as follows: Martha A. (Mrs. Stephens), Mary E., W. T., John J., who was born October 2, 1834, and died June 8, 1857; Narcissa Jane, born July 4, 1836, and died June 5, 1857; Matilda C., born March 2, 1843, and died June 21, 1857, of typhoid fever; Samuel A., died November 16, 1869, aged thirty-one years and twenty-eight days; Andrew H., born in 1847; R. H., born in 1849; Thomas A. M., born August 7, 1848, and died February 23, 1877, and B. P., who was born in 1851. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch assisted his father on the farm until eighteen years of age, and then engaged in clerking in Pleasant Mount, where he remained six years. In September, 1857, he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, and continued thus employed until August, 1887, when he retired from the active duties of life. He was married in Miller County, in October, 1857, to Lucy J. Brockman, a native of Miller County, Mo., and a daughter of Simms and Rachel (Gartin) Brockman, the father being a native of Kentucky. They were early pioneers to Missouri, and here died in 1856, and November 28, 1869, respectively. After his marriage Mr. Franklin settled in Pleasant Mount, where he was engaged in business, and from time to time bought land, until he now owns 540 acres, the most of which is under cultivation. He has always identified himself with the Republican party, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Pleasant Mount Lodge No. 134, of which he has been both secretary and treasurer. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B, Forty-eighth Missouri Infantry, for six months, and served as first lieutenant of his company. He was ordered first to Rolla, Mo., thence to Nashville in December, 1864, and received his discharge at Chicago, Ill., March 21, 1865, and returned soon after to Pleasant Mount. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are the parents of the following children: James S., born October 23, 1858, is married and engaged in the mercantile business in Bagnell; Mary C., now Mrs. R. S. Harvey, was born December 15, 1860, and resides at Aurora Springs; Martha Ellen, Mrs. Spalding, was born December 21, 1862, and resides at Pleasant Mount; Nancy M., Mrs. N. E. Harvey, was born December 20, 1865; John B., born July 10, 1868, is engaged in merchandising at Olean; Willie H., born September 26, 1870, and died September 28, 1870, and Charley P., born August 25, 1873, at home. Mr. Franklin has always given liberal support to church and school matters, and has seen that his children have had good educational advantages. He is practically a self-made man, all his property having been acquired by his own exertions and good management.

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This family biography is one of 120 biographies included in The History of Miller County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Miller County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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