Born C.1874 [24]
Son of George FRANKLIN and Mary MCLEOD [P295]
Gardener in Kojarena east-northeast of Geraldton 1903-1906 [50]
With his brothers Edward and Evander took up the 408 acre Lot 3 of the Kadathinni Agricultural Area in Three Springs in 1906 [44] [152]
The Kadathinni Agricultural Area was 10,000 acres in size and was initially intended to be a State Experimental Farm [120: 5-Oct-1933]
The three of them had been market gardening at Kojarena and he left first to work their property in Three Springs [79: 23-Aug-1973]
Farmer in Three Springs in partnership with his brothers Edward and Evander as "Franklin Bros" from 1906 [44] [152]
They started farming with £70 capital and borrowed additional money from the Agricultural Bank [152]
He and his brothers were among the first to commence farming in Three Springs [31: 11-Jun-1911] [120: 26-Dec-1929]
Initially farmed as "Franklin Bros" with his brothers Edward and Evander and later just with his brother Evander until C.1916 [44]
Rates for the farm were in all three of their names until 1909-10 and then just in his and Evander's from 1910-11 onwards [44]
"Franklin Bros" purchased a Massey-Harris binder in October 1908 [9: 23-Oct-1908]
They grew 250 acres of crop on their farm in Three Springs in 1910 [9: 17-Jun-1910]
On 18 June 1909 they purchased a further 595 acres in Three Springs from The Midland Railway Company for £512/9/9 [27]
The 595 acres consisted of Lots M471 and M472 of Victoria Location 1933, and was payable by instalments over 15 years [27]
A photograph of Sullivan's Early wheat they grew appeared inThe Western Mail newspaper on 11 December 1909 [120: 11-Dec-1909]
They exhibited sheaves of Carmichael wheat, Sullivan's Early wheat and Algerian oats at the Moora Show in 1910 [9: 28-Oct-1910]
In 1910 potatoes grown on their Three Springs farm were being sold at Stephen SHERIDAN's store in Three Springs [31: 23-Nov-1910]
During the 1915-16 financial year they purchased the 362 acre Lot 1 of the Kadathinni Agricultural Area from Gilford HAINES [44]
In 1917 he and his brother Charles had 500 acres of crop planted on their farm/s [10: 19-Jun-1917]
After dissolving partnership he was the owner of 595 acres in Lots M471 and M472 of Victoria Location 1933 [44]
His brother Evander became the owner of their remaining 770 acres in Lots 1 and 3 of the Kadathinni Agricultural Area [44]
In 1910 he moved onto his own part of the farm which he named Wattle Grove Farm [P295]
Farmer of Wattle Grove Farm in Three Springs [61]
Married (1) Eva Maud TEAKLE on 30 March 1909 at the Methodist Church in Gulnare, South Australia [55]
Member of the Kadathinni Farmers & Progress Association in 1910 [9: 28-Oct-1910]
His and his wife's son Raymond passed away at the age of 11 weeks on 4 April 1910 and was buried at the Mingenew Cemetery [176]
His wife Eva passed away on 24 July 1911 and was buried in Plot 110 of the Eastern Road Cemetery in Geraldton [29]
Following his wife's death his daughter Nellie was raised by his sister-in-law and brother Henrietta and Evander W. FRANKLIN [P2]
Humorously recited "Mulga Bill" at the Methodist Church Fund Social held in Three Springs on Thursday 30 July 1914 [10: 21-Aug-1914]
Without anyone knowing he headed south during April 1915, got married, and returned to Three Springs with a wife [10: 11-May-1915]
Married (2) Ellen Mary ANDERSON in Moora on 28 April 1915 [P295]
Won the Stepping 100 Yards competition at the "Three Springs Day" held on Monday 16 September 1915 [10: 24-Sep-1915]
Signed the petition and financial guarantee in 1917 for the Midland Railway Company to provide a resident doctor at Three Springs [34]
Clerk of Course at the Picnic Race Meeting held in Three Springs on Saint Patrick's Day Wednesday 17 March 1920 [124]
Awarded 1st prize for Bacon at the annual picnic and show, the Three Springs Day, held on Thursday 23 September 1920 [10: 15-Oct-1920]
Wrote to the Carnamah District Road Board in January 1928 regarding a washaway on the Carnamah-Three Springs Road [4: 14-Jan-1928]
Purchased a new Ampiola player piano from local agent Michael GANNON in September 1928 [4: 22-Sep-1928]
Sold eight bales of wool for 14¾d. per pound through Westralian Farmers Ltd at a wool sale in Perth on 7 October 1935 [5: 11-Oct-1935]
Member of the Three Springs Rifle Club in 1936 and 1937 [5: 19-Jun-1936, 12-Mar-1937]
Attended and competed at the Official Opening of the Three Springs Rifle Club's rifle range on Thursday 23 July 1936 [5: 31-Jul-1936]
Returned to Three Springs in mid October 1936 after an extended vacation in South Australia [5: 23-Oct-1936]
Member of the Three Springs Cricket Club in 1936-37 [5: 12-Feb-1937]
Donated 10/- to the Three Springs Rifle Club for the Club's most consistent shooter over the first half of 1937 [5: 26-Feb-1937]
Loaned his truck to help cart 80 loads of sand, gravel and stones for the nursing quarters in Three Springs in April 1937 [5: 30-Apr-1937]
Farmer in Three Springs until his death in 1951 [19] [24]
Passed away at the age of 77 years at the North Midlands District Hospital in Three Springs [24]
Father of Raymond [24], Nellie, Alan, Olive, Victor and Margaret [P295]
Died 21 June 1951; buried Three Springs General Cemetery, Three Springs (Methodist, Plot 25) [24]
From The Irwin Index newspaper, Saturday 30 June 1951:
"Deaths at Three Springs - Two deaths occurred at Three Springs on Thursday of last week, the deceased persons being old and highly respected residents of the district in Mr George Charles Franklin and Mrs Selina May Leonard. The late Mr Franklin, who was one of the early settlers of Three Springs, was seventy seven years of age, and is survived by a widow and three sons and one daughter. The late Mrs Leonard, who is survived by her husband, was the mother of a large family comprising five sons and five daughters, other district relatives being twenty six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Both funerals took place at Three Springs on Saturday last."
Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'George Charles Franklin' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 5 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/george-charles-franklin [reference list] |
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