Henry Clifton Franklin
Henry Clifton Franklin, the genial proprietor of the general store at Yoder, came to this village in 1900 and the following year was appointed postmaster by President William McKinley, and retained the office until it was discontinued in 1904. Mr. Franklin was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, about five miles from Yoder, on November 28, 1867, and is a son of John Henry and Sarah A. (Schooler) Franklin, deceased. His grandfather, also named John Henry, was among the pioneers of Perry Township, locating early in the '30's and remaining here until his death about 1874.
John Henry Franklin Jr., was born in 1832, probably in Allen County, Ohio, where he lived all his life. He was a farmer by occupation and was still a young man when his death occurred in December 1868. He married Sarah A. Schooler, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Sarah Elizabeth, who married Jonathan McPheron, of Perry township; James I., who lives on the home farm in Perry township; and Henry Clifton. Mrs. Franklin was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Fawcett) Schooler, who moved to Allen County where they spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Franklin was married twice, her second husband being James Biddinger, of Auglaize Township. The fruits of the second union were: William A.; Orlin and Ellen. Mrs. Biddinger died in December 1894, at the age of 54 years.
Henry Clifton Franklin attended public school and remained on the home place until he was 20 years of age, when he entered the employ of the Ohio Oil Company and for 13 years worked in the Ohio Oil field. In 1900 he located at Yoder and started in his present business. Mr. Franklin is a Democrat, as has been the family for years, and is was in recognition of his merits that he received the appointment of postmaster from President McKinley.
Mr. Franklin was married in October 1893, to Olive O. Jacobs, a native of Perry township and a daughter of James A. Jacobs, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this volume. Two bright children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, namely: Yula, born August 6, 1894; and Milo, born February 25, 1898.