Ira O. Franklin, the son of Thomas H. and Mahalia L. (Roberts) Franklin, was born on March 16, 1871, in Green township. The parents were also native of the same township, having been born near Eden.

Jasper and Sarah (Cadwell) Franklin, the parents of Thomas H., were natives of Greenbrier county, West Virginia, where they grew to manhood and womanhood and were married. After the birth of four of their children they came to Indiana. The journey was made in a wagon and was a most tiresome one. They located near Eaton about the year 1819. Here they entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and began the building of a home for themselves and family. Mr. Franklin erected the log house that was their home until the time of their death. Mr. Franklin was a veteran of the War of 1812. He had been a strong Whig and later united with the Republican party. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

To Jasper and Sarah Franklin were born the following children: Allen, Edward and William, all of whom were in the Civil War; Elizabeth, Sarah, Leah, Joseph, Thomas, Nancy, Delilia, Mary and Robert. The parents of Jasper and Sarah Franklin died in West Virginia. His old plantation is now the site of the town of Aldersonville.

Thomas and Martha (Hart) Roberts were natives of North Carolina and came to Hancock county at an early day. They located near Eden with their respective parents and were married some years later. Here they entered land about the year 1835.

Thomas Franklin received his education in the early schools of Hancock county and spent most of his life in Green township. For the past four years he had made his home in Madison county. He and Mrs. Franklin were the parents of the following children: Rosa, William, Martha and Ira O.

Ira O. Franklin was educated in the public schools of Hancock and Madison counties and at the Danville Normal School. He later engaged in farming, which he has made his life-work. He has eighty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, on which he has erected convenient and substantial buildings and a large and modern silo.

On December 30, 1896, Ira O. Franklin was united in marriage to Lena Shull, a native of Green township and the daughter of Azzel J. and Nancy (Miller) Shull, both of whom were born near Fortville.

To Ira O. and Letta Franklin have been born three children: Vera, Leo and Marjorie. The family are all members of the Christian church.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 999-1000.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 22, 2001.

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