Person Page - 1059

     Thomas Unger Franklin was born on 9 February 1945 at Baltimore, MD. He was the son of Russell Hampton Franklin and Lorraine Margaret Unger. Thomas Unger Franklin married Barbara L. Podolsky, daughter of George Anthony Podolsky and Alice June Whitmer. Occupation: Employed as a project manager for the Henry H. Lewis Contracting firm in Reisterstown, Maryland (many years.) Thomas Unger Franklin lived in 1993 at Sykesville, Carroll Co., MD. He lived in 2015 at Eldersburg, Carroll Co., MD. He died on 8 April 2016 at Westminster, Carroll Co., MD, at age 71

Obituary -- The Sun; Baltimore, Maryland; Sunday, April 10, 2016 (GenealogyBank.com):

On April 8, 2016, Thomas Unger Franklin of Eldersburg, beloved husband of Barbara Franklin (nee Podolsky), devoted father of Jarret Franklin and Judith "Cori" Klein; father-in-law of Jennifer Franklin and Thomas Klein; loving brother of James Franklin; son-in-law of Alice June Podolsky and dear grandfather of Isabella Grace Franklin and Maxx Anthony Franklin.

The family will receive friends at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 pm. A prayer service will follow the visitation on Thursday at 7:30 pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.


Obituary -- Genealogy prepared by Robert Fowler (Ancestry.com):

Thomas Franklin (1945 - 2016)

Thomas Unger Franklin, age 71, of Eldersburg, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2016, at Carroll Hospital after a long illness. Born February 9, 1945, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Russell Franklin and Lorraine Unger Franklin. He was the devoted husband of Barbara Podolsky Franklin. Tom had retired in 2010 from the Henry H. Lewis Contracting firm in Reistertown, MD where he had been a project manager for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting, fishing, crabbing and the Eastern Shore culture. Depending on the circle of friends, Tom was known as "Mr. Fix It", Popular Mechanics, or "Too Tall". He was an avid Ravens and Orioles fan.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter and son-in-law, Jarret and Jennifer Franklin; daughter and son-in-law; Judith "Cori" and Thomas Klein; brother, James Franklin; mother-in-law, Alice June Podlosky, and grandchildren, Isabella Grace Franklin and Maxx Anthony Franklin. The family will receive friends . . . (rest missing).

     Vernon Delhart Franklin was born on 2 September 1927 at Fox, Carter Co., OK.¹ He was the son of William Henry Franklin and Osa Angeline Cargo.¹ Vernon Delhart Franklin died on 13 April 2012 at Midland, Midland Co., TX, at age 84


Obituary:

Vernon D. Franklin, 84, of Midland, died on Friday, April 13, 2012, at his residence. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, April 16, 2012 at Resthaven Memorial Park with Rev. Bob Porterfield, officiating.
Survivors, all of Midland, include wife, Edwana Lynette; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis L. and Carolyn S. Franklin; daughter, Ellen Diane Franklin and friend, Eloy Davis; grandson, Robert Michael Franklin.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.

     Wade H. Franklin was born on 20 January 1881 at Maryland.¹ He was the son of Elhanen H. Franklin and Mary Emily Skidmore.¹ Wade H. Franklin married Elizabeth C. Gallagher, daughter of James J. Gallagher and Mary M. Stevens, on 10 December 1908 at Baltimore, MD,

Marriage licenses - The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Thursday, 10 Dec 1908; Page 7; (Ancestry.com):

FRANKLIN - GALLAGHER. -- Wade H. Franklin, 27; Elizabeth C. Gallagher, 22. Applicant, M. A. Bannan, 402 McMahon street.


The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Friday, 11 Dec 1908; Page 10; (Ancestry.com):

Franklin---Gallagher

Miss Elizabeth C. Gallagher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Gallagher, 200 East Randall street, was married last night to Mr. Wade H. Franklin at St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Church. Rev. Thomas J. Kenny performed the ceremony.

The bride wore white point lace over duchess satin and carried Bride roses. She was attended by Miss Lillie Shaw as bridesmaid, who wore chiffon over taffeta and carried carnations. The best man was Dr. M. A. Brennan. Little Misses Agnes Burns and Marie Gallagher were flower girls, and the ushers were Messers. E. W. Walker, John Burns, J. H. Rutledge, Harry Davis and William Bowman. A reception at the home followed, after which Mr. and Mrs. Franklin left for Atlantic City. They will live at 1733 Jefferson street.


Note: Newspaper notices:

Real Estate transfers - The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Thursday, 14 Sep 1911; Page 5; (Ancestry.com):

Charles W. Wrede and wife to Wade H. Franklin and wife, n.s. Barney st., nr. Covington 13x85, g.r. $45.40.

Wade H. Franklin died on 30 September 1918 at Baltimore, MD, at age 37

Death Notice -- Baltimore American, Baltimore, MD; Thursday, Oct 03, 1918; Vol: CCXXIV Issue: 1773; page: 12; (GenealogyBank.com):

FRANKLIN -- On September 30, 1918, WADE H., aged thirty-seven years, beloved husband of Elizabeth C. Franklin.

He was buried in October 1918 at Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore, MD, Findagrave #166715039.

     Wade Joseph Franklin was also known as "Pat". He was born on 25 September 1909 at Baltimore, MD. He was the son of Wade H. Franklin and Elizabeth C. Gallagher. Wade Joseph Franklin married Louise Miller on 12 January 1944 at Leon Co., FL. Wade Joseph Franklin married Julia Lucinda Eaton on 16 August 1952 at Meadow Branch, Westminster, Carrolll Co., MD, Ceremony by Rev. William E. Roop

The Evening Sun (Hanover, Pennsylvania); Thursday, 21 Aug 1952; Page 6; (Newspapers.com):

FRANKLIN--EATON

Julia Lucinda Eaton, daughter of Mrs. Martha Eaton and the late John Eaton, Garrison, and Wade Joseph Franklin, Reisterstown, were married August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Brookside Place, Meadow Branch, near Westminster, by the Rev. William E. Roop. The bride was attired in a street-length aqua dress with matching accessories. Assandra H. Folkert, Reisterstown, her attendant, wore a dark blue street-length dress. John F. Folkert was best man. Following a short wedding trip, the couple will reside in Reisterstown.


NOTE: no children.


Note: Interests: Life member of both Owings Mills & Reisterstown volunteer fire departments, member of the Lt. Peter Zouck Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Owings Mills Post of the American Legion, Towson Elk's Lodge & Fourth District Democratic Club.2. Wade Joseph Franklin died on 13 December 1974 at Baltimore, MD, at age 65

Death Notice - Wade Joseph "Pat" Franklin, The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Sunday, 15 Dec 1974; Page 141; (Newspapers.com):

FRANKLIN

On December 13, 1974 WADE J. (PAT), of Finksburg, formerly of Reisterstown, beloved husband of Julia L. Franklin (nee Eaton) and brother of Mrs. Elizabeth Elkin and Mr. J. Howard Franklin.

Friends may call at the Newell Funeral Home, 1100 Reisterstown road, Pikesville, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Requiem Mass at St. Charles' Church on Monday at 9 A.M. Internet in Druid Ridge Cemetery.     

Obituary - Wade Joseph Franklin, The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Monday, 16 Dec 1974; Page 10; (Newspapers.com):

Mass set for Franklin. Pikesville firm's owner

A mass of the resurrection for Wade J. Franklin, the owner of a Pikesville tire firm, will be offered at 9 A M. today at St. Charles Church in Pikesville.

Mr. Franklin, who was 65 and had just moved to Finksburg from his home of many years in Reisterstown, died Friday at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center after a year's illness.

Owned firm since 1948

He had owned the Pikesville Tire and Supply Company since 1948 and earlier had operated several filling stations in the area. A native of Baltimore, Mr. Franklin moved to Pikesville as a child with his family.

He was decorated while a chief petty officer in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II.

A life member of both the Owings Mills and Reisterstown volunteer fire departments, he was a member of the Lt. Peter Zouck Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Owings Mills Post of the American Legion, the Towson Lodge of the Elks and the Fourth District Democratic Club.

He is survived by his wife, the former Julia L. Eton; a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Elkin of Pikesville, and a brother, J. Howard Franklin, of Pikesville.



Obituary - Wade Joseph Franklin, unknown newspaper; December 17, 1974; (Ancestry.com):

Wade Joseph Franklin

Funeral services for Wade J. (Pat) Franklin, proprietor and owner of Pikesville Tire and Supply Company, were held Monday at the Newell Funeral Home, 1100 Reisterstown Road, in Pikesville with interment in Druid Ridge Cemetery.

Franklin, who was 65, died Friday following illness of about a year. He had planned to retire at the end of this year, and had recently moved into a new home in Finksburg, after having resided in Reisterstown for many years.

Born in Baltimore City, he attended schools there and later St. Charles Parochial School in Pikesville.

During World War II he served as Chief Petty Officer in the United States navy and possessed the following decorations: American Theatre, Asiatic - Pacific, Philippine Liberation, Victory Ribbon and 1 Bronze Star in American Theatre.

Franklin was a life member of both the Owings Mills and Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Companies...........(incomplete.)

He was buried in December 1974 at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville, Baltimore Co., MD.

     William Harrison Franklin married Mariah Jane Clarke.

     William Harvey Franklin was born on 9 September 1880 at Carroll Co., MD.¹ He was the son of Charles Samuel Franklin and Sarah Elizabeth Shipley.¹
Note: Newspaper article -- The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Monday, 30 Jun 1902; Page 7; (Newspapers.com):

Shattered A Large Window

Herbert A. Franklin and William Franklin, two young men who gave their occupations as beer bottlers, were fined $1 and costs each on a charge of disorderly conduct by Justice Robertson, at the Southern Police Station, yesterday morning. William fell against one of the large plate-glass windows of Armstrong, Denny & Co., at Light and Montgomery streets, during his disorderly conduct and shattered it. He was charged with this, but dismissed on promise to help repair it.

William Harvey Franklin married Bertha Ray Hampton, daughter of Henry Elwood Hampton and Jane Elizabeth Kellam, on 12 December 1912 at Baltimore, MD. William Harvey Franklin married Anna M. Hohman, daughter of John Henry Hohman and Anna Mamie Schline, circa 1924. William Harvey Franklin died on 21 August 1946 at Baltimore, MD, at age 65

Death notice -- The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland); Wednesday, 18 Dec 1946; Page 62; (Ancestry.com):

FRANKLIN - On December 15, 1946, WILLIAM H., of 302 East Randall street, beloved husband of Anna M. Franklin (nee Hohman).

Services at the McCully Funeral Home, 130 East Fort avenue, on Wednesday at 2 P.M. Interment in Western Cemetery.

He was buried in August 1946 at Western Cemetery, Baltimore City, MD, Findagrave #92794119.

     William Harvey Franklin was born on 28 September 1914 at Baltimore, MD, WW II draft registration.¹ He was the son of Herbert Auguster Franklin and Fredericka Marie Hammel.¹ William Harvey Franklin married Mary Lillie Ingram, daughter of Loney Franklin Ingram Sr. and Clara J. Powell, before April 1935.² William Harvey Franklin lived on 9 April 1940 at 5322 Catalpha Road, Baltimore, MD, in his parents' home. Air conditioning mechanic.² He died before 1965.

     William Henry Franklin was born on 16 October 1894 at Texas.¹ He married Osa Angeline Cargo. William Henry Franklin died on 3 July 1968 at Wilson, Carter Co., OK, at age 73. He was buried in July 1968 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Ardmore, Carter Co., OK, Findagrave #19556068.

     William Hohman Franklin was born on 8 May 1925 at Baltimore, MD. He was the son of William Harvey Franklin and Anna M. Hohman. William Hohman Franklin began military service on 10 March 1944 WW II service, U.S. Army, enlisted Ft. Meade, discharged 19 MAY 1946. He died on 5 August 1991 at age 66.

     William J. Franklin was born circa 1855 at Iowa.¹ He was the son of Elijah Franklin and Nancy Strawn.¹

     Winifred Mary Franklin was also known as "Frankie". She was born on 23 November 1889 at Los Angeles Co., CA.¹ She was the daughter of Jabez Buell Franklin and Susan Stauffer.¹ Winifred Mary Franklin married William Arthur Reinig circa 1921. Winifred Mary Franklin died on 15 November 1988 at Portland, Multnomah Co., OR, at age 98

Biography -- (Findagrave.com):

Documentary materials provided by
Candace McCorkell, granddaughter of Melina Adam, Winifred Reinig's best friend.

Background

Winifred was born in Los Angeles, attended school in Clinton, Iowa, and, at age 16 in 1905 settled on a ranch with two friends; moved to Portland, Oregon

Note — About her decision to move to Portland, she explained, "I just picked it off the map." [Melinda Owen, "90th Birthday Looms, Doesn't Slow Woman," The Oregonian, nd, clipping in family papers]

Volunteered for Red Cross in Oregon in 1914; she worked as a nurse until the U. S. declaration of war in April 1917 ["World War I Remembered: Veteran Recalls Front-Line Duty," Woodstock Independent News, November 1984]

War

Enlisted as Army Nurse in 1917

While serving as an Army Nurse, Winifred acquired the nickname "Frankie"; typically, Army nurses had nicknames, derived from their last names. Departed NYC on Aquatania, with more than 6000 troops and 99 nurses ["World War I Remembered: Veteran Recalls Front-Line Duty," Woodstock Independent News, November 1984]

Army nurse in France; served in the Battle of the Argonne
12-hours on duty per day as a nurse; she recalled that there were one nurse and four or five "men attendants" for every fifty patients. ["World War I emembered: Veteran Recalls Front-Line Duty," Woodstock Independent News, November 1984]

Wounded doughboys kept arriving at Winifred's field hospital for several months following the Armistice. ["World War I Remembered: Veteran Recalls Front-Line Duty," Woodstock Independent News, November 1984]

In France "Frankie" met and became life-long best friends with Melina ("Addie") Adam (Army Signal Corps)
Return to Oregon

After war she worked at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, beginning in 1919

Marriage to William (Bill) Reinig

She used to swim in the Willamette River. While swimming one day she met Bill Reinig (in Navy?/Navy vet?)
Married Bill Reinig in 1921
He was born on 28 May 1896

For thirty-four years he worked for the Postal Service
They purchased home c1920 — As of 1984 she was still living there, in a district called Rose City Park, across Sandy Boulevard from Jack and Melina Converse.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - The Oregonian; Portland, Oregon; Sunday, October 19, 1980; Page 49

World War I - Army hospital unit plans reunion, by Leverett Richards of the Orgonian staff

Hardtack and gas masks highlight Winifred Franklin "Frankie" Reinig's memories of World War I in which she served as an Army nurse in France 62 years ago.

Mrs. Reinig, 91, is one of a handful of veterans of U.S. Army Base Hospital No. 46 who will hold a reunion luncheon at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Portland Elks Lodge. She is the only local survivor ot the 100 nurses from Portland who volunteered for service.

Adolph Bloch, 85, president of the enlisted men's organization, reports 34 names still on his mailing list out of the 200 who marched off to war July 23, 1918, but only a dozen were able to attend the last reunion.

Only one of the 100 physician officers is known to survive -- Dr. Karl Moran, now retired in Palm Springs, Calif.

"I remember the time when we had nothing but hardtack and catsup to eat," Mrs. Reinig recalled. "And I'll never forget the victims of gas attacks we had to treat in the hospital. We had to wear gas masks to handle the patients, especially those who had been hit by chlorine gas.

"But the mustard gas was the worst. When we peeled the clothes off the wounded their skin would come off with their clothes. They were badly burned. And we had a lot of them among the 8,300 patients we treated during our year close behind the front."

Bloch's copy of the 46th's history reports 840 cases of gas poisoning among the 4,479 patients handled by the medical service section of the hospital.

"This was the first major use of poison gas and the doctors didn't know what to do for the men," Mrs. Reinig recalled. "It was some of the nuses who first suggested using baking soda to treat the massive gas burns," she said.

War was not only hell, it was hard work day and night for the nurses and medics of the enlisted corps, she reminisced. "There would be only one nurse for 50 men in a ward at night, with the help of three or four ward boys."

Our doctors and surgeons were the best, though," Bloch said. "Our records show we lost only 131 out of the 8,266 paitents the hospital treated between July 2, 1918 and Dec. 31, 1918, a mortality rate of only 1.5 percent. We had 1,575 patients in wards and tents at one time."

While the 46th was designated a base hospital, it was so close to the front that it actually served as an evacuation hospital, returning 28 percent of its patients to the trenches.

In those days people didn't wait to be drafted or even asked to volunteer. It was the University of Oregon Medical School, under Dean K.A.J. Mackenzie, that organized the unit. Dr. Robert C. Yenney, later a lieutenant colonel, from the school's staff was named director of the effort. Doctors and surgeons were chosen from the staff.

When the call went out for 100 nurses, about 1,000 volunteered, including the too old, too young and too married. They had to [be] dissuaded, "Kicking and screaming" to narrow the list to 106. "I remember sailing on the Aquitania from New York with 6,000 troops," Mrs. Reinig said. "There was a lot of fire from the big guns of our convoy and we were told a submarine had attacked, but had been sunk," the history recounts. "I remember drilling in Madison Square Garden across from our hotel in New York while waiting for the boat," Mrs. Reinig recalled.

The enlisted men, nearly 200 strong, were drilled by civilians during the first year. They were all civilians, officially the "University of Oregon and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Red Cross Base Hospital 46." The Elks Lodge donated $40,000 and the Red Cross several thousand dollars to provide the medical equipment required. The nurses supplied their own gear.

It was not until Jan. 2, 1918, that the unit was officially commissioned in the Army Medical Corps at Fort Lewis. Then the enlisted men got their uniforms and began to draw their pay.

"We were all privates," Bloch recalls.

"We nurses got $60 a month," said Mrs Reinig. "Now, all military nurses are commisioned and start out at 10 time the pay we got. But we didn't serve for money. We served because our country and our Allies needed us."

The unit was based at Bazoilles-sur-Meuse, meaning "a lowland for geese" on the Meuse River near the Argonne. The village of Domremy, birthplace of Joan of Arc, was nearby. The unit was disbanded May 22, 1919, never to be activated again. "Everyone has to be in their 80s or 90s," Bloch said sadly. "I don't know how many more reunions we will have."

She was buried in 1988 at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah Co., OR, Findagrave #36351518.

     Franklin died on 9 February 1920 at Allen Co., KY. She was born on 9 February 1920 at Allen Co., KY. She was the daughter of Floyd Wakefield Franklin and Avery Critt Stinson.

     (?) Franks was born at Michigan. He married Mary Virginia Miller, daughter of James Elhanan Miller and Frances Dodson, after 1921.

     Barbara Ann Franks was born on 23 May 1926 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA. She was the daughter of Roy Lee Franks and Ann Edna Runstadler. Barbara Ann Franks married Richard Charles Shaw-MacMillan, son of Clarence Zeke Shaw and Lorrena Bagley Smith, on 1 October 1949 at San Francisco Co., CA. Barbara Ann Franks died on 15 February 2006 at Manassas, VA, at age 79.

     MSgt. Claude Carl Franks was born in 1932. He was the son of Ralph Earnest Franks Sr. and Viola Mae Orr. MSgt. Claude Carl Franks married Roberta Gene Davis, daughter of Robert G. Davis and Enola Frances Williams. MSgt. Claude Carl Franks died in 2013. He was buried in 2013 at All Faiths Memorial Park, Tucson, Pima Co., AZ, Findagrave #146097436.

     Henry Franks was born circa 1765. He married Christina Mason, daughter of John Maurer and Appolonia Becker, circa 1787.

     Jennifer A. Franks was born in 1962. She was the daughter of MSgt. Claude Carl Franks and Roberta Gene Davis. Jennifer A. Franks died in 1991. She was buried in 1991 at All Faiths Memorial Park, Tucson, Pima Co., AZ, Findagrave #106643602.

     Mary Maude Franks was born on 13 June 1880 at Kansas. She married Robert Burns Wendell, son of John Henry Wendell and Georgia Anna Meyers, on 24 October 1900. Mary Maude Franks died on 17 January 1967 at York, York Co., NE, at age 86. She was buried on 20 January 1967 at Council Cemetery, York, York Co., NE.

     Ralph Earnest Franks Sr. was born on 28 December 1907 at Manchester, Delaware Co., IA. He married Viola Mae Orr on 5 May 1930 at Waterloo, Black Hawk Co., IA. Ralph Earnest Franks Sr. died on 16 January 1961 at Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA, at age 53

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Cedar Rapids Gazette 1/17/1961

Ralph E. Franks.

Ralph Earnest Franks, 717 Wilson ave. SW, Cedar Rapids resident since 1920 and a 20-year employee of Collins Radio Co., died suddenly Monday.

Born at Manchester Dec. 28, 1907, he was affiliated with St. Patrick's church. Surviving are his wife, Viola Orr Franks, to whom he was married at Waterloo May 5, 1930; 3 sons, Ralph, Jr., and Henry, both of Cedar Rapids, and Claude, with the Air Force at Goose Bay, Labrador; 2 daughters, Kathleen Franks Lewis and Sue Ann Franks, and his mother, Mrs. Grace Franks, all of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Abigail Waite of Luzerne; 2 brothers, John, Jr., and Theodore, both of Cedar Rapids, and 8 grandchildren.

The body is at the Rohn Funeral home. Funeral arrangements will be announced.

He was buried in January 1961 at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA, Findagrave #69723067.

     Roy Lee Franks married Ann Edna Runstadler.

     Sarah S. Franks was born on 25 May 1820 at Licking Co., OH. She married Alva Swisher. Sarah S. Franks died on 18 July 1904 at Licking Co., OH, at age 84. She was buried in July 1904 at Franklin Township Lutheran Cemetery, Newark, Licking Co., OH, Findagrave #37419731.

     Theodore Martin Franks was born circa 1855 at Illinois; son of Lafayette and Sarah Ann (Jones) Franks.¹ He married Sarah M. Wilkinson on 4 September 1873 at Scott Co., IA; this marriage was extremely brief -- Theodore was remarried to Mary Blaine and living at Cedar Rapids, with a four-year old son and an infant daughter by 1 JUN 1880 when the census was taken there. DLB 2022. Theodore Martin Franks and Sarah M. Wilkinson were divorced circa 1875. Theodore Martin Franks died before 9 February 1895; The widowed Mary I. (Blaine) Franks remarried to Louis W. Ward on 9 FEB 1895 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

     William Edward Franks was also known as "Eddy".¹ He was born circa 1875 at Le Claire Twp., Scott Co., IA.² He was the son of Theodore Martin Franks and Sarah M. Wilkinson.²

     Carol DeVault Franson was born on 13 December 1921 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. She was the daughter of Col. Paul O. Franson and Ruby Frances DeVault. Carol DeVault Franson married Ernest Samusson, son of Ernest Samusson and Mary Frew, on 4 June 1942.

     Paul O. Franson was born on 1 June 1916 at Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. He was the son of Col. Paul O. Franson and Ruby Frances DeVault. Paul O. Franson married Kathleen Collins on 27 April 1937. Paul O. Franson died on 18 March 1995 at Bradenton, Manatee Co., FL, at age 78. He was buried in 1995 at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Co., VA.

     Col. Paul O. Franson was born on 5 October 1888 at Aurora, Kane Co., IL. He married Ruby Frances DeVault, daughter of Dr. William Bruce DeVault and Mary Frances Powell, on 17 January 1914 at Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. Col. Paul O. Franson died in June 1965 at Montgomery Co. (probably), AL, at age 76

Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama Journal article: Paul Franson Ends 43-Year Army Career
Top Guard Instructor Veteran Of Two Wars And Mexican Campaign
Up Through Ranks
Former Chief Of Staff For 5th Division Says Gen. Patton Was Tops
Col. Paul O. Franson, senior Army instructor for the Alabama National Guard, will retire from
active duty today. He is a veteran of 43 years of Army service, having risen from buck private to chief of staff of the 5th Division of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third Army in Europe during World War II. Col. Franson, a native of Montgomery, hit the Normandy beaches with his division shortly after DDay, in early July, 1944, and saw the battle against the Nazis from a front line position, through France and across Germany. During the months of combat Franson often saw Patton daily, and became familiar with many topranking figures of the war in Europe - Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Omar Bradley and Britain's Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery among them.

Russian Award
Among many decorations won by Col. Franson is one given him by Soviet Russia after the 5th
Division met the Russian armies at a point on the Austria-Czechoslovakian frontier. Joining the Army as a private of the 2nd Infantry (Montgomery True Blues) May 5, 1905, he served with the Alabama Brigade on the Mexican Border and with the 31st (Dixie) Division during World War I. Named Chief of Staff of the 5th Division April 30, 1942, Col. Franson was quickly shipped, with that division overseas, to Iceland, Northern Ireland and England.

Under Fire
As part of Patton's Third Army the 5th Division came under fire almost immediately they landed in France for the invasion. They took part in the fierce fighting around St. Lo before driving across the Cherbourg Peninsular (sic) to cut off the German garrison at that French port from their communications with the German army. "At that time Montgomery (Field Marshal Montgomery) and his British troops were magnificently withstanding several German heavy panzer divisions in the nearby Caen area," Franson said. He next described heavy battles in the Caumont area followed by a rapid thrust south of Rennes, and eastward through Angers, across the Seine and past Reims only to run out of gas and come to a full stop before Verdun.

Lost Chance
"This stop robbed us of the chance of taking the fortress of Metz, which had almost been evacuated by the retreating Germans," Franson said. Col. Franson, as one of Patton's chiefs of staff, shares Patton's criticism about the way the Supreme Command failed to send the Third Army the gas they urgently needed, at Verdun. "The Germans, seeing us gasless, re-fortified Metz and it took us months and cost us thousands of lives later to capture it," Franson states. "With gas we could have taken Metz. We were ready to go ahead and needed it more than other Armies which were stalled." Soon after Metz had been taken, the 5th Division was detached from Patton's command and sent to help the hard-pressed First Army then facing the famous German 1944 attack in the snow shrouded hills of the Ardennes Forest. This was the "Battle of the Bulge" in the Bastogne area near Luxembourg. Rejoining the Third Army the 5th "secretly" crossed the Rhine March 23, 1945 at Oppenheim, between Mainz and Mannheim and stormed Frankfort. This crossing of the river was done without artillery preparation. The 5th's drive across Europe came to its final stop on its prearranged "deadline" in the area of a small Austrian town called Grafenau, near the Czechoslovak frontier.

Prefer U. S. Lines
"The oncoming Russians were pushing thousands of Germans towards us" Franson says, "and as a matter of fact most of these Germans were trying to get to us and behind our lines to escape the Russians." Franson said "our orders were, however to stop these Germans because they were considered Russian prisoners, so we closed our lines tight to stop them coming through." Franson said the thousands of defeated Germans were, therefore, squeezed in a narrow corridor between the American and Russian front lines. Col. Franson received his Soviet decoration, the Order of the Red Star, a few days after this incident "in one of the most amazing investitures I have ever seen," he said. The Russians sent for a copy of the American national anthem by 'plane and a band of their professional musicians played it that same night at the ceremony "about as well as I have ever heard it played," he said Several other officers received Soviet awards, flying into the Russian area, across the German "prison-camp corridor" for it. "They've put on more dog' for an investiture than any other Army I know," Franson said. "with the firing of guns, rockets, flares, machine guns, and everything else that had around."

Vodka and Food
Franson then described a typical Russian dinner which ended the ceremonies, with vodka and
plenty to eat. Franson said the "Russians soldiers all seemed very young - about 23 or 24 - and very smart and alert." These are some of Franson's observations on famous generals: Eisenhower - "A good diplomatic general." Bradley - "A fine fighting general. He is the studious type. He does not say very much, but is the brain power behind strategic planning. When he speaks, what he says is d--- good." Montgomery - "A first-rate soldier. He spoke to a large group of us senior officers a few weeks
before the invasion. He lectured us one whole day on all he had learned from his successful fight against the Germans in Africa. He knew his stuff and is full of personality and driving power."
Patton His Idol But Patton is the Colonel's idol. In his room he has picture of the General and also a picture of Patton's grave. "He was a great leader - and a driver," Franson says. "He was a 'soldier's general' visiting the front line almost daily on many occasions, and seeing for himself. Quite often he did not use profanity. Often he used it only as part of an 'act'. He was a great showman. His clothes and leather were always immaculate. He was always pushing onward." Col. Franson said that Patton was "highly-strung" which was probably the reason for the GI faceslapping incident earlier in Italy. "He and just come from battle; his outfit's nose was bloody" Franson said, and he had seen his men with their stomachs out, their legs off, bleeding on the battle fields, and then saw others who were psycho - many of them, wards full of them, unscratched, but mentally sick - afraid and unnerved. Something probably snapped for a few minutes inside that highly-strung, power-driven, complex man which was Patton and he committed the mistake he later so bitterly regretted," Franson said. Franson agreed that it was "the diplomatic general" Eisenhower, who "saved" Patton and kept him after this incident for his later victorious drive across Europe.

Until a permanent successor to Col. Franson is appointed, Col. L. E. Toole, now stationed in
Birmingham, will assume the temporary duties of Chief Instructor to the Guard," the Military
Department announced. Col. Franson states that he intends to continue living in Montgomery during his retirement.

     Louise Gertrude Frantum was born in 1887 at Ohio.¹ She married Frederick W. Charlet on 8 March 1911 at Columbiana Co., OH. Louise Gertrude Frantum died in 1962. She was buried in 1962 at Glenwood Cemetery, Ogden, Boone Co., IA, Findagrave #109608464.

     Albert Frantz was born circa 1847 at Franklin Co., PA.¹ He was the son of Christian Frantz and Leah Stouffer.¹

     Alfred Jacob Frantz was born on 7 November 1861. He was the son of Samuel Frantz and Barbara Stouffer.

     Anna Frantz was born in 1774. She was the daughter of John A. Frantz and Elizabeth M. Hostetter. Anna Frantz married Isaac Hershey, son of Christian Hershey and Anna Hernly. Anna Frantz died in 1861.