A.E. Franklin Family
from Nancy Franklin Scott - scott9087@bellsouth.net

A. E. Franklin was born march 23, 1849 in Warren Co., Ill. Elizabeth Crosby born Jan 25, 1847 in Virginia moving to Ill. with her parents as a child. They were married in 1870 and had four sons Fred, Ray, Earl and clyde. in 1895, they moved from ILL. to a farm southwest of Clearfield Iowa, later in 1902 to a farm east of Lenox now known as the Guy Henderson Farm. Mr. Franklin passed away very suddenly at his home in Aug. 1904, leaving his widow and four sons.

THE FUNERAL OF A.E. FRANKLIN Took place from the Family Residence Near Lenox on Last Thursday Afternoon. There has been few deaths in Taylor county which has caused such universal sorrow as that of the sudden death of A.E. Franklin who resided near Lenox, and whose sudden "taking away" was a surpise to every one who knew him as he was the picture of health. On last tuesday morning he arose as usual and went about the house and none present ever dreamed that in a few short minutes he would be lying cold in death's embrace. But such is the uncertainty of Life. He had gone to the out house and was only out a few minutes when he called for help and members of his family soon went to his assistance and helped him to the house. He lay down on the bed and before medical help could arrive the spirt had taken its flight and all that was left of the once strong man was the lifeless body of clay, the cause of his death being due to heart failure, which so suddenly and without a moment's warning, performed its deadly work. He experienced little or no pain in the interval between the attack and the passing out of his life. It was all so sudden that the family could scarcely realize what had taken place. His sudden death caused a wave of gloom to pass over the entire county as there was scarcely a community where Abe Franklin, as he was famililiarly called, was not known and highly respected. He was prominent as a successful farmer and stock raiser, took an active part in polities, was a hard worker and honored member of the Masonic circles and in many other ways was brought into close touch with the people of the whole county. A.E. Franklin was born March 23, 1849, in Warren county, Illinois. Was married to Elizabeth Crosby, Oct. 16, 1870. Of this union were born four sons, who with their mother, survive him and who were all present at the funeral of their beloved parent. The family moved to this county some nine years ago and located near Clearfield where they resided until about three years ago when they removed to their beatiful home near Lenox and which place he resided at the time of his deach which occured on the morning of the 30th of August. The funeral services were held at his late residence on last Thursday afternoon, the sermon being delivered by Rev. I.F. Fuller, pastor of the Lenox Christian church. Hundreds of his brother Masons were present and performed their beautiful and impressive ritualistic burial service and escorted the remains of A.E. Franklin to their last resting place in the beautiful Lenox cemetery. This was perhaps the largest funeral prossession that has followed a corpse to the city of the Death in this county for a long time, showing the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held by his friends and neighbors. A large number of friends a brother Masons from his place were present at the funeral obsequie.