Submitted by
Rome Tribune- Herald, Sept. 2, 1919
Oldest Mason In Floyd County Dies At The Age of 92
W. D. Franklin died Monday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the home of his brother,
Dr. H.B. Franklin, near the city. He was 92 years of age in April.
Mr. Franklin was the oldest mason in Floyd County, having been a member of the
order for many years and was a worshipful master of Caladonia lodge.
He was highly respected and was well known throughout Floyd county.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o'clock and the interment will
be in Franklin cemetery near Plainville, and the remains will be laid to rest
with Masonic honors.
Rome Tribune-Herald, October 16, 1913
In Memoriam
A Tribute to the Late William D. Franklin
There recently died at his home near Rome, William D. Franklin, father of Dr.
A.L. Franklin. He was a veteran, a Mason of high rank, and a man of splendid
character. The following appreciation is from the pen of H.C.Hunt:
Death, the common enemy, has again invaded our ranks and another beloved
comrade has fallen, a true brave soldier has crossed over the river, and is
now, let us pray, united again with Davis, Johnson, and Lee, and all the
valiant host who have gone before where weary soldiers sleep in peace, where
life's battle is ended, see no more of cruel war, of comrades slain, for they
are dead, sleeping the sleep that knows no waking till the angel's bugle sounds
the great reville to call them back to life. Thus one by one our comrades fall,
as fall the withered leaves in autumn time, one by one their warfare over, they
calmly lay their armor down and pass away.
Upon the outbreak of the war between the states, he joined a calvary company
that was oganized near Loudon, Tenn., and became a part of Forrest's original
command serving through the operations around Donelson. After taking part int
he great battle of Shiloh, Comrade Franklin was on a sick furlough for a time,
when sufficiently recovered he was appointed steward in the hospital at
Knoxville, Tenn. After the battle of Chickamauga, Comrade Franklin was attached
to Dr.Franklin's hospital, at which time his devoted wife and mother-in-law
tendered their services to the Confederacy. They were beloved by all who knew
them, they were sweet and gracious in social life, a source of comfort to those
in need of sympathy ready at all times to lend a helping hand to the
unfortunate, their presence was like blessed sunshine, they were a true type of
Southern womanhood. What grand nurses they were frequently assisting at the
dissecting table bandaging the broken limb, by the side of the dying soldier as
his spirit would take its everlasting flight, their prayers would ascend to
heaven. These ministering angels of earth devoted two years of their lives to
nursing in hospital work. All honor to the noble patriotic and zealous women of
our beloved Southland.
W.D. Franklin was born in Tennessee April 10th, 1822, and died at the home of
his son Henry D. Franklin, Sept. 1st, 1913, aged 91 years. he moved to Gordon
county in 1846. He was a Free Mason and as a token of love for their brother
and of appreciation of his noble qualities in the Masonic order attended his
funeral in a body. The great heap of beautiful flowers under which his
lifeless body rests, placed there by loving hands tells the story of his worth
in language far more eloquent and forcible that tongue or pen can do. It tells
of his principles for which he fought and suffered, of his devotion to the
Masonic order and of his love and affections for his family, his kindred, his
friends and his countrymen. He leaves two sons, Dr. Albert Franklin, near Rome,
Ga., and Henry D.Franklin, near Plainville, Ga. Comrade Franklin was of a
positive character and strong imtellect, yet he was popular with all classes
and had a kind word for all whom he met. He did unto others as he would have
them do unto him. The last sad rites of his interment were pronounced in the
beautiful burial ceremony of that order, the sevices were conducted by the
members of Plainville Lodge, assisted by members of visiting brethren, who took
charge of the remains at the conclusion of a brief service by Rev. Elam
Culpepper. His body was tenderly laid to rest with Masonic honors.
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