Franklin Charles R

CHARLES RUDOLPH FRANKLIN (1851 to 1931)

This page is a diary of Great Grandfather Charles Rudolph Franklin, based on material impressively researched by my sister Susan. We do not know much of his background, except he was born in Buffalo NY in 1851 or possibly 1848. His New Zealand Sea Captain Certificate lists his date of birth as 02 February 1848, whereas his naturalisation certificate lists it as 02 February 1851. His marriage certificate, which also lists his father as William Robert Franklin, and all later records, are consistent with the 1851 version. In a wedding notice in a newspaper he is described as the second son of WR Franklin.

He had a big beard and my mother as a young girl used to have to sit on his knee. He was earlier a ship's captain, but after marrying my great grandmother became a station master at various South Australian railway stations (as had been his father in law, my Great Great Grandfather William Charles Rowell, who was Station Master at Port Adelaide, where Charles and his daughter were married).

He would tell my mother he was related to Abraham Lincoln and his mother was Swedish. Later research indicates that Franklin was a common Anglified name adopted by Eastern Europeans, inspired by Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), and most probably I think he got Lincoln and Franklin confused.

I went to Buffalo for a week in 2014 hoping to get more information. Unfortunately US records in the 1850s are bad. Death records are only kept from 1852, and contain no family information for decades later. Birth records don't start until decades later at all. I did find two interesting death records of infants who could be siblings, a William Franklin (1852) and a Frye Franklin (1853), Frye being a Swedish girls name. There were Swedish settlements outside Buffalo, particularly Jamestown, so it is possible church records can still reveal something.

The above photo, taken in the early months of 1918, shows Franklin as station master (centre, with beard) at the northern station of Terowie, together with his staff. There is discussion below about the importance of this station at the time.

1851 02 February, born, Buffalo NY, to Captain William R Franklin and probably Swedish mother. Birth certificate not found, not certain of date. As noted above the year may well have been 1848. We do not know what sort of Captain his father was.

1869 Aug to 1870, July, Seaman on George Green, New York to Singapore and China. It may be this vessel was named after the shipbuilder George Green.

1870 02 July to 1871, 23 February, Seaman on Sunrise, we just have a reference written in New York to cover the previous 7 months.

1871 23 February, obtained Certificate from the American Ship Masters Association, New York, approving him to be a Mate. No. 6080. On the reverse side the number 5201 is stamped.

1872, 02 February, Third Mate on N.B. Palmer, on Journey to China. The N.B. Palmer was a famous clipper on the New York to China trade which at one stage held the record for the Shanghai to New York journey.

1872, 23 February, American Ship Masters Association Certificate re-endorsed.

1872 November to 1873, July, Second Mate on Carob.

1873 July to 1874, 15 April, Chief Mate on Carob. Reference written 15 April 1874 in Pt Elizabeth, South Africa.

1874 17 April to 1874, 29 September, Mate on Moss Glen, registered in London. Journey from Port Elizabeth to Auckland, New Zealand.

1874 30 September to 1874, 28 November, Mate on East Lothian, along Auckland coast.

1874 11 December to 1875, 01 February, As above.

1875 March, for 3 weeks. As above.

1875 March to 1875, July, Maggie.

1875 July to 1875, 20 September, Chief Mate on Duke of Edinburgh. Reference dated 20 September 1875 Newcastle from Master Duke of Edinburgh, stating that he had been Chief Mate, trading between Newcastle and New Zealand for previous 3 months.

1875 01 October to 1876, 22 June, Mate on Stag. Discharged in Newcastle.

1876, 30 June, Reference from Stag says he had been Chief Officer for previous 8 months. I suspect Chief Officer is Chief Mate.

1876 29 June to 1876, 20 July, Chief Mate on Free Trader, travelling to Hobart.

1876, 05 August, Reference from Master of Free Trader in Hobart says he had been Chief Mate on various intercolonial vessels over the previous 15 months.

1876 28 August to 1877, 31 July, Mate on Waratah, discharged in Hobart. There is a Reference dated 20 December 1876 from Master of Waratah in Dunedin that he had been Chief Officer.

1877 22 March, obtained Certificate of Competency as Master, Marine Dept NZ. Date of birth given as 02 February 1848. (Maybe he had to be 29 to be eligible.) Passed exam in Dunedin on 30 December 1876.

1877 July to 1878, 03 July, Chief Mate on Canny Scot, Newcastle region. There is a Reference from the Master of Canny Scot written in Sydney that he had been Chief Mate for previous 12 months.

1878 05 July to 1879, 18 February, Mate on Naidd, Newcastle to Newcastle.

1879 26 February, obtained Pilotage Certificate from Marine Board, NSW.

1879 04 March, there is a Reference from Nipper and See Co. written in Sydney for Captain Franklin.

1879 28 March, obtained Pilotage Exemption Certificate from Marine Board, South Australia. Listed as Master of the Barque Loch Naw. Note that the 277 ton Loch Naw sailed the following journeys with Captain Franklin as Master:

• • 1879, 30 June, Newcastle to Sydney.

  • 1879, 12 December, Port Adelaide to Sydney.

  • 1880, 25 March, Warrnambool to Sydney.

  • 1880, 08 June, Port Pirie to Sydney.

  • 1880, 16 June, Sydney to Port Adelaide via Newcastle.

The following is a typical shipping notice, which seems to allude to a further voyage.

Register 19 Feb 1880

CLEARED OUT. Wednesday, February 18. LOCH NAW. brig, 277 tons. C. R. Franklin, master, for Warrnambool In ballast.

Related to this appears to be an incident, early in this voyage near Kangaroo Island, which caused the report below in the Register and the following retort:

Register 24 February 1880

GROUNDING OF THE LOCH NAW.

Kingscote, February 23.

The telegraph station-master at Kingscote telegraphs to us as follows : — 'I saw a barque aground at daylight on Sunday, on the south end of Beatrice Islet. She did not hoist her number when signalled from here. The Cowry, steamer, went to her, but the master declined her assistance, and reported the barque as the Loch Naw. On arrival here the ketch Napperby went at 2 p.m. to the assistance of the barque, which backed off with the aid of the ketch astern at 3 o'clock. The Loch Naw was last seen standing eastward at 5 p.m.'

Register 9 Apr 1880

THE LOCH NAW.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—

Having had a copy of your Register of February 24 sent me from Port Adelaide, and referring to a paragraph in the same headed 'Grounding of the Loch Naw,' your informant states that the Loch Naw did not hoist her number when signalled from on shore. In reply to this I beg to say I never saw any signals made to me from the shore. Your informant goes on to say I refused the assistance of the steamer Cowry. This is quite true I refused her assistance for the simple reason that I did not need it. Your informant further states that I was afterwards assisted to back off by the ketch Napperby. To this I give a flat denial. Certainly the ketch anchored about 1,000 yards from me, and put out a boat to come on board ; but before this could be accomplished my vessel was afloat. It does not seem likely I would employ the assistance of a ketch after refusing that of a steamer. The whole thing seems to be an imagination on the part of your telegraphic correspondent. Trusting you will kindly grant me space in your columns for the above,

I am. Sir, &c, CHAS. R. FRANKLIN, Master barque Loch Naw. Newcastle, April 2

Note this vessel later sank, with no lives lost, when it hit a reef off New Caledonia, loaded with coal en route from Newcastle to Pam, New Caledonia, on 21 January 1891.

1880 29 July, Check Clerk Port Adelaide Station.

1880 31 August, marries Margaret Sarah Rowell (b. 28 April 1859) at Port Adelaide Railway Station. The following announcements appeared in the newspapers.

Register 4 Sep 1880

MARRIAGES. FRANKLIN-ROWELL-On the 31st August, at the residence of the bride's parents, Port Adelaide, by the Rev. A Stubbs, Charles Rudolph, second son of the late Captain W. R. Franklin, of Buffalo, N.Y., to Margaret Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr. W. C. Rowell Stationmaster, Port Adelaide. Sydney and Newcastle papers please copy.

HISTORY WITH SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS

1880 29 July, Port Adelaide Station, Pay Clerk

1881 September, Hoyleton Station Master. In 1882 Salary 13 Pounds pa, in 1883 140 Poinds pa, in 1884 150 Pounds pa.

This first stationmaster appointment was to a small station in a remote part of the lower north. The track was a narrow 3ft 6in tramway which enabled wheat to be transferred to the Port Wakefield area. Horses would draw the train from Port Wakefield to the station, while gravity would return it. It was the first purely agricultural track in the colony.

1886 December, North Adelaide Station Master. Salary 150 Pounds pa.

This station is now closed, probably because it is in the parklands and not surrounded by population. Most stationmasters lived at houses at the station in those days and my grandmother was born here.

1892 July, Palmerston (Darwin) Station Master.

Before there was an Australian Constitution which enabled states to cede territory to the Commonwealth the Northern Territory was an integral part of South Australia and Palmerston was the main Darwin station at the head of a line from Darwin to Pine Creek at the time (by 1929 it went as far south as Birdum and the whole line was not completed and later rerouted through to Adelaide until quite recently).

1895 July, Mount Barker Station Master.

This station is also now closed. It was never on the actual line from Adelaide to Melbourne. A line from Mount Barker junction passed through the station on the way through Strathalbyn and on to Victor Harbor. The passenger line was closed in 1984 and after the Adelaide Melbourne line was converted to standard gauge this line was isolated from the network. The tracks and stations remained and volunteers run tourist trains.

1900 Saddleworth Station Master.

This station is also now closed. The building is now demolished. This photo was taken in 1998. This is the station where Charles Franklin served for the longest period, and where he was when his son Uncle Vernon volunteered for World War I, meaning he is on the town memorial. The only line north now is the one used by the Ghan and Indian Pacific, further to the west. I believe Charles Franklin is in the photo below, taken about 1906.

1907, December, Subject of Parliamentary debate.

In 1907 Charles Franklin's employment conditions became the subject of a Parliamentary debate. The matter is raised in the newspaper article below. The article is very long and only the first few lines shown below. The motion was lost.

Advertiser 12 December 1907

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

MR. C. R. FRANKLIN.

Mr. NEWLAND moved:-"That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the emoluments and status withheld from. Mr: C. R. Franklin, stationmaster, Saddleworth, since July, 1895, be restored to him." He regretted the necessity to bring the motion on, as he always held that it was better to leave matters between the Government and the employees to the heads of departments, but in this case Mr. Franklin had endeavoured, without success, to get fair dealing.

1909, 03 July, Naturalisation

On this date Charles Franklin was naturalised as an Australian Citizen. The documentation can be found here.

1909 Admission to Royal Adelaide Hospital

For some reason he was admitted to RAH on 16 August 1909 age 58. His data read "Born America, Years in SA 35, No 2164, Married, of Saddleworth, C of E".

1917, 17 December, Terowie Station Master.

Charles Franklin only served at this rather remote outpost, but an important station en route to places further afield, for a brief period of 7 months during the war. This was the end of broad gauge and all trains terminated here for passengers to transfer to narrow gauge for Perth, Alice Springs, Broken Hill (and later Sydney). The station lost importance in the 1970s, when broad gauge extended to Peterborough, and was closed altogether in the early 1990s when a standard gauge track was built from Adelaide going further west.

It was an important station in World War 2 for moving troops to the north. On the platform here General Douglas Macarthur stood and made his famous "I shall return" speech.

1917, 7 December, Saddleworth Farewells.

Kapunda Herald

07 December 1917 (almost identical reports in Northern Argus (Clare) same day and Adelaide Advertiser 17 December).

The railway stationmaster, Mr. C. R. Franklin, who has been in charge here for the past 18 years, has been promoted to the Terowie station and has taken charge there this week. A public meeting of the ladies of the town was held in the institute hall on Monday afternoon, December 3, to say farewell to Mrs. Franklin, who is removing to Terowie. There was a large attendance, and farewell speeches were made by Miss Partridge and Mrs. W. G. Crawford. The latter, on behalf of residents, presented Mrs. Franklin with a hand bag. Mrs. Franklin feelingly responded. Afternoon tea was handed round.

A farewell smoke social was tendered to Mr. C. R. Franklin at the institute lodge room on Wednesday evening, December 5. There was a large attendance, and Mr. W. S. Heaslip, Chairman of the District Council, presided. On behalf of the residents, the chairman presented the guest with a Morris chair. Farewell speeches were made by the Chairman, and Messrs D.J. Dullea, Geo. Crawford, jun., Sergeant Stan. Crawford, M. Walsh, J. W. Crawford, A. Caskey, J. Huppatz, R. Mackie, W. G. Crawford, C. H. Roberts, and Rev. H.-C. Hill. Mr. Franklin feelingly replied.

1917, 27 December, Daughter's Wedding.

Later in December, one of his daughters, my grandmother, was married in Mount Gambier. Due to his move to Terowie he and Mrs Franklin were unable to attend. Here is what he missed out on.

Border Watch

28 December 1917

MARRIAGE.

BOYS-FRANKLIN.

A pretty wedding was celebrated at Christ Church yesterday. The contracting parties were Miss Alberta M. Franklin, better known here as Nurse Franklin, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Franklin, of the Terowie railway station, late of Saddleworth, and Mr. Leslie N. Boys, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Boys, of this town. The bride wore a beautiful over-dress of iyory crepe-de-chene, trimmed with pearls and orange blossom. The under-dress was of blonde lace. A handsome train and girdle of charmeuse satin finished a tasteful costume. She also wore the usual wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of white carnations and agapanthus and fern, with white streamers. A handsome gold bangle was the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaid, Miss A. Peake, of Adelaide, was dressed in a dainty costume of white voile, with guipure lace, and a Tuscan hat, trimmed with pink, and she carried a posy of pink and crimson carnations,, with long pink streamers. She wore a very pretty aquamarine necklet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a gold albert. In the unavoidable absence of the bride's father, she was given away by Mr. Huppatz, of Saddleworth. The bridegroom was supported by his friend, Mr. Charles Saunders. The ceremony was performed by the Ven. Archdeacon Samwell, and the Wedding March was played by Mrs. Samson. After the ceremony the guests adjourned to Hirth's Cafe, where the many good things provided were partaken of. Under the able direction of the Ven. Archdeacon Samwell the following toasts were honoured -"The health of the Bride and Bride-groom," proposed by the Archdeacon, and drunk with musical honors, was responded to by Mr. Boys. Mr. Saunders proposed "The health of the Bridesmaid ;" Mr. F. Scutt that of the parents; and Mr. J. Huppatz responded on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, and in a happy little speech deplored their enforced absence. A telegram was read from Mr. E. E. Boys, regretting his unavoidable absence. Many telegrams of congratulation were received by both bride and groom, and showed the kindly feeling of their friends. The bride's travelling costume was of Assam silk, with white arafane hat, relieved with black cherries. The bridegroom's mother was attired in a handsome costume of navy silk, and carried a bouquet of dark red flowers. The happy couple motored to Penola, en route to their home in Petersburg. The presents were numerous, varied, and useful, and showed in what respect both bride and bridegroom were held.

1918, 20 July, Gawler Station Master.

This was to be his final posting and where he was serving on Armistice Day when French General Pau visited to present him with Uncle Vernon's Creux de Guerre, as reported in detail under Uncle Vernon's own entry here. And Uncle Vernon is also named on the Gawler War Memorial.

1921 June, Retires

In 1921 a new law required public servants to retire at age 70. Newspaper reports on the new Act and the subsequent retirement of Charles Franklin are reproduced below.

Register 5 May 1921

THE AGE LIMIT.

Civil Service Retirements.

On June 30 a large number of civil servants will retire from the employ of the Government as they have reached the age of 70 years. Last October they were granted an extension of time to the date mentioned, and, with few exceptions, all will leave the service of the State next month. The Iist of names of those concerned is attached:— —

Gaols and Prisons Department.— T. Arnold, Deputy Chief Warder, Adelaide Gaol. —Births, Deaths, &c, Department— T. Farmer, District Registrar, Naracoorte. — Government Printing Office.— C. A. Ball, compositor clicker. —Inspector General of Hospitals Department.— P. O'Leaiy, head attendant, Mental Hospital, Parkside. .- — Education Department. — J. Tamblyn, teacher, Mount Pleasant. J. W. Griffiths, teacher, Minlaton. D. H. Adams, teacher, Abattoirs. — Attorney-General's Department— O. Sharp, record keeper, Adelaide Local Court. — Woods and Forests Department. — W. Canny, nurseryman, Belair Nursery. — Public Stores Department. — J. Thompson, store clerk; J. Family, labourer. — S.A. Harbours Board Department— B. Telford, harbour pilot, Port Pirie. — Engineer-in-Chiefs Department— C. W. S. James, surveyor. E. Yates, inspector of water conservation. —Hydraulic Engineer's Department— W. Freeth. inspector of services. W. A. Blackley, patternmaker, Waterworks Yard. J. C. Cannon, sewer band, Adelaide sewers. H. Vick, yard ganger, Glanville. — Railways Department.— J. H. Gray, coppersmith, Islington. M. Henderson, fitter's assistant Islington. G. X. Heseltine, fitter, Adelaide. J. Johns, wagon maker, Islington. T. Preston, blacksmith, Islington. G. A. Schultz, lifter. S. Shariey, engineman, Peterborough. J. J. Sullivan, carriage maker, Islington. F. A. Watson, chief clerk. . — Maintenance Branch.— W. M. Edwards, telegraph foreman, Midland. B. Jones, rough carpenter. W. & B. J. Lobban, carpenter, south-east W. May, ganger, Willamulka. D. Patterson. packer, Millicent. H. Williams, ganger, Kulpara. —Auditor o! Receipts Branch.— J. H. Dunstan, senior inspector of Station accounts —Traffic Branch.— J. Binns, car washer, Adelaide. C R. Franklin, stationmaster, Gawler. J. G. Peterson, iporter, Port Adelaide. R. J. Rumball, signalman, Exeter. C. Walters, stationmaster, North Adelaide. B. McLeigh, temporary clerk, Mile-End. — Locomotive Branch.— W. Braham, painter, Islington.

Recorder 27 May 1921

Mr. J.S. Brooks, stationmaster at Gladstone, has received notice of transfer as stationmaster at Gawler in succession to Mr. Chas. R. Franklin, who is retiring under the Septuagenarian Act. Mr. Brooks previously served as stationmaster at Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier.

Recorder Port Pirie 1 Jul 1921 and Register 30 Jun 1921

Mr. Charles R. Franklin, who has held a railway stationmaster's position for 40 years, will retire from his occupancy of the Gawler office at the end of this week. In September, 1881, he was placed in charge of the Hoyleton office, and after a few years at that place was transferred to the broad gauge. When the Palmerston-Pine Creek Railway was opened in 1889 Mr. Franklin was selected to represent the traffic branch at Port Darwin. After several years in the Northern Territory he was upon his return to the south placed in charge of the Mount Barker office. He was subsequently transferred to the position of stationmaster at Saddleworth, where he remained for nearly 20 years. Upon a reclassification of officers he received promotion in status, and for a short period had charge of the Terowie Station, and was subsequently appointed station master at Gawler.

Bunyip 1 Jul 1921

Mr. Chas. R. Franklin, who has held a railway Stationmaster's position for 40 years, will retire from his occupancy of the charge of the Gawler Station at the end of this week. In September, 1881, he was placed in charge of the Hoyleton office, and after a few years at that town was transferred to the broad gauge. When the Palmerston— Pine Creek railway was opened, in 1889, Mr, Franklin was selected to represent the traffic branch at Port Darwin. After several years in the Northern Territory, he was, upon his return to the south, placed in charge of the Mount Barker Office. He was subsequently transferred to the position of S.M. at Saddleworth, where he remained for nearly 20 years. Upon reclassification of offices he received promotion in status, and for a short period had charge of the Terowie station, and was subsequently appointed stationmaster at Gawler.

1931 19 June, dies Adelaide.

As my mother notes in her reminiscence in this section, Charles Franklin was the first of her grandparents to die. I give some obituaries which appeared in the newspapers.

Advertiser and Register 20 June 1931

The late Mr. Charles R. Franklin, who died at Anthony Street. Kirkcaldy, yesterday, was for nearly 53 years connected with the South Australian Railways. He was formerly stationmaster at Darwin, and about 30 years ago was placed in charge at Mount Barker. Later he was stationmaster at North Adelaide and Saddleworth. He retired about eleven years ago. His wife was a daughter of the late Mr. W. C. Rowell, stationmaster at Port Adelaide. His second son Vernon, who was connected with the R.A.F. was killed when flying a new type of machine in Egypt. Mr. Arthur Franklin, of Sydney, is a son and the deceased also left three daughters.

Advertiser 24 June 1931 and Chronicle 25 June 1931

Mr. Charles R. Franklin, who died last Friday, arrived in the State about 56 years ago. For more than 40 years he was associated with the South Australian Railways, having been in charge at Hoyleton, North Adelaide, Darwin, Mount Barker, Saddleworth. Terowie, and Gawler stations. He married Margaret daughter of the late Mr. William C. Rowell, who survives. Since his retirement about ten years ago he has been living at Kirkcaldy. The surviving members of the family are—Mr. A, C. Franklin (East Perth, WA) and Mesdames W. Macpherson (Burwood, Sydney) and L. N. Boys (Jamestown), and Miss D. M. Franklin (Kirkcaldy). The youngest son, Flight Lieutenant R. V. Franklin, of the Royal Flying Corps, lost his life at the war.