Butte County
Biographies
ERNEST L. FRANKS
ERNEST L. FRANKS.—One of the prominent
ranchers of Butte County, and a man of sterling qualities, is Ernest L. Franks,
who was born at Roseville, Placer County, February 18, 1884. His
father, James, a Missourian, came to Roseville and settled on a ranch, and
began raising stock. His mother, Elizabeth Young, was born in Maine. She is now
Mrs. Stephenson, and is proprietress of the Butte Creek House, above Powellton. They had four children, of whom two are living.
Ernest L. Franks, the youngest of the
family, was brought up at Roseville, where he went to school, and helped his
father with the farm work. At fifteen he began working for himself on ranches
and in sawmills at Round Mountain, Honey Lake Valley, and other places. In the
fall of 1904 he came to Chico, and began working on the ranch for
John H. Morgan. On October 25, 1905, he was married, in
Oroville, to Mr. Morgan’s only child, Ida, who was born on the ranch.
John H. Morgan was a native of North Carolina, were he received a
college education. As a young man he came to Arkansas, and in 1857 joined a
company of pioneers who crossed the plains with ox teams. Arriving in
California, he engaged in mining for a time, and also taught school, after
which he located a homestead in Butte County, which is a part of
Mr. Franks’ present place. Mr. Morgan returned to Arkansas, and was
married, in 1874, to Sarah Campbell, who was born in Kentucky. After his
marriage he came to his California homestead, and engaged in general ranching,
in which he was very successful. He bought more land, and finally owned eight
hundred sixty-seven acres. Mr. Morgan died on May 14, 1911. He had
been trustee of the Antelope school district for many years, and clerk of the
board. Mrs. Morgan died May 8, 1900.
After Mr. Franks’ marriage, he entered
into partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Morgan, continuing with him
until 1909, when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. and Mrs. Franks came
to Chico. There they purchased a residence on Fourth and Walnut, which they
still own. After Mr. Morgan’s death, Mr. and Mrs. Franks returned to
the Morgan ranch, which his wife inherited; and there Mr. Franks is now
engaged in ranching, raising cattle, hogs and grain. His brand is E F.
They have four children: John Lee, Sarah Elizabeth, Daisy May, and Lester
Leslie. Mr. Franks is serving his second term as trustee of the Antelope
school district, and is clerk of the board.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
17 October 2009.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages
1244-1245, Historic
Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies