Francis Edgar Franklin, familiarly known as Ed Franklin, pioneer Alexandria citizen, died at his home near Flandreau, So. Dak., February 26. He was 76 years old.
Mr. Franklin was born in Dodge county, Minnesota, August 11, 1863. He learned the flour milling trade as a young man and came to Alexandria about 60 years ago and was employed for many years in the Campbell and Atwood flour mills, which have long since passed out of existence. After quitting the milling trade, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Lew Kent, deputy coroner and then county coroner, and was actuary of Kinkead cemetery for a number of years. He took an active part in civic affairs and in lodge work, being an active member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for 46 years. He was a charter member of the encampment and patriarch's militant branches of the I.O.O.F., having been active in organizing them
He removed to Commerce, Oklahoma in November 1920 and lived there until the fall of 1926, when he came north again and settled on a farm near his daughters, between Pipestone and Flandreau.
Ed Franklin was married at Alexandria May 30, 1885 to Johanna R. Beltz. Five children were born to this union, four of whom with the widow survive their father: Roy Franklin, Alexandria; Minnie (Mrs. Anton Ellingson) and Grace (Mrs. Sidney Ellingson) both of Pipestone, Minn.; Henry Franklin, who lives at Portland, Ore. A son, Ben, died several years ago. He also leaves five sisters and two brothers.
Funeral services are being held at Anderson Funeral Home Thursday afternoon with Rev. Earl Munson officiating. Burial will be in Kinkead cemetery. The pallbearers are to be Richard Chase, E. J. Brandt, Rollie McKay, Minor J. Sweet, John H. Nelson and R. J. Merki.
(Park Region Echo, 29 Feb. 1940)
