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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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Ed. N. Franklin, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon of Gallatin, was born October 20, 1846, in that city, and is the youngest of a family of three children born to the union of Dr. John W. and Florida (Nolen) Franklin. The father was born in Sumner County, Tenn., and was of English descent. He received a good literary education at Howell’s College, Alexander, Va., and his medical education at Transylvania University, Franklin, Ky. After practicing for some time he was obliged to give it up on account of ill health and return to Gallatin. About 1849 he purchased a farm of 300 acres four miles from Gallatin, where he located and is now living engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has the best drove of Jersey cattle in Sumner County, also fine racing stock. His first wife, Florida Nolen, was a native of Frankport, Ky. She died in 1847. After her death he married Miss Sarah Baber and by this union had nine children. Our subject’s grandfather, John Franklin, was a native of North Carolina, who came to Sumner county at a very early date and was one of the largest land holders in the county. Our subject was an infant when his mother died and was then taken by his uncle, John Armfield. His education was received at Forest Home, Ky., being a graduate of that institution. In 1866 he commenced the study of medicine with his father and in 1869 graduated as an M. D. at the University of Penn, Philadelphia. He located at Galveston, Tex., being placed in charge of the Marine Hospital. At the end of ten months he received word that his uncle was taken suddenly ill and he left his practice and hastened to his bedside in Nashville. The Doctor was a constant attendant on his uncle as long as he lived, which was two years after he was taken ill. January 3, 1872, Dr. Franklin married Miss Nannie Hillman, daughter of Daniel Hillman, who was known as the “Iron King” of the South, being the most extensive iron manufacturer south of the Ohio River. He owned four large furnaces, one large rolling mill, was a man of remarkable business capacity and a man of great wealth. Mrs. Franklin was a native of Kentucky and bore her husband four children: Florida, Grace, Hillman and Charles. The Doctor remained in the “Rock City” until 1880 when owing to ill health he came to Gallatin. The Doctor has a lucrative practice and is one of the leading physicians of Sumner County. He is a member of the American Public Health Association, State Medical Association, and in 1885 was vice-president of Sumner County Medical Association. He is a member of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 21. In connection with his profession the Doctor is greatly interested, and is a dealer in, fast stock, especially running stock. Mr. Franklin is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 115 biographies included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Sumner County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

View additional Sumner County, Tennessee family biographies here: Sumner County, Tennessee

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