FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
Among the early settlers were the Rev. Henry Tripp, Franklin Osborn, Joseph and William Camburn, James B. Wells, William Bradley, David Edwards, Eri Whelan, Joseph Slater, and Samuel Hubbard. Horace Case, it is said, made the first improvement. The town was named after the eminent American philospher and patriot, Benjamin Franklin. This Township contains 16,752 acres of improved land, valued at $1,362,456, besides $158,000 of live stock. The value of productions of all kinds for 1870 aggregated $278,410. In the same year it raised 52,222 bushels of wheat, being second in the County; Raisin ranking as first. The Township is also noted for its wool-growing. The land is generally level, but undulating in the north. It has a number of beautiful lakes, which are becoming quite famous in the north. It has a number of beautiful lakes, which are becoming quite famous as places of resort during the summer.
Franklin Centre is the only hamlet in the Township, and there is located the Soldier’s Monument, erected by the unanimous contributions of the residents of the Township, and dedicated July 4, 1866. It is thirty-three feet in height, and a tribute of honor to the heroes who fell in attempting to stem the tide of rebellion, and also reflects credit upon the patriotism of the people of Franklin. The two churches of this Township are located at the “Centre.”
Copyright Ed Van Horn, 2006, Port St Lucie, Florida