Morning journal and courier., 1888-10-17
DEATH OF WILLIAM FRANKLIN.

Features Of His CaFeer-Passed Away
 Yesterday I'm His SIxty-eighth Year.
 MT. William Franklin died at his residence on Trumbull street yesterday afternoon at 2:15 o'clock. Though suffering greatly for several weeks past he retained consciousness throughout and up to about the last. MT. Franklin was one of our best known and prominent citizens and a gentleman highly respected and esteemed for his high eharac- ter and his usefulness in the community. A large circle of friends will deeply regret his death. MT. Franklin was native of Eng land and had resided in New Haven since he was four years of age. He learned the mer1 chant tailoring business from the late Avery Babcock, who was brother of the late Hon. James F. Babcock, and whose widow is still living in this city. He began the merchant tailoring business for himself in his young manhood and was for years partner of our esteemed citizen, Mir. James M. Mason. Later he was engaged in the business indi- vidually at No. 93 Orange street for num- Der of years. He removed from thence to Center street, where his business has been conducted for the last seventeen years, of late years with MT. c. J. Foster as member of the firm. MT. Franklin was for many years one of the leading and most influential mem- bers of the old Third church, joining the Third church at the age of 16, soon after it's organization; and was one of the most prominent and active in bringing about the union of the Third and the United churches. He has been 6 member of the Third and of the United churches for half 8 century. He was from young man up active and efficient in the church, as he was also in business, doing all that fell to him to do well and ably. He was for years superintendent of the Third church Sunday-sehool, and at another period was superintendent of the Olivet mission Sunday-school, which was conducted by the Third church. Possessed of unusual busi- ness talent, his field of activity broadened, and in connection with his merchant-tailor- ing business, which was very successful, he was trustee and manager of estates, and was very successful lR real estate purchases. By his industry and business ability he acquired 8 handsome property. He also founded one of the first, if not the first, free evening schools, for boys and young men, in New Haven. He hired the large basement under his then Orange street store, and here the school was conducted, ex- citing much public interest as public bene- fit. MT. Franklin for some time paid the salary of the teacher of the school out of his own pocket. His heart went out for young men of limited means who at an early age were obliged to earn their own livelihood. The free evening school awakened public at- tention to the need of such school, and the
 
 MT. Franklin also became deeply interested in struggling mechanics who were seek ing to possess 8 home of their own, and he turned his attention to the building associations of that day, and becoming convinced that many of these associations were but snare and delusion, or if honest, were based upon rotten foundations, he wrote book upon the subject which imme- distely attracted much attention, and did much to correct the evils and errors com- plained of. The legislature of Connecticut passed MT. Franklin vote of thanks for this timely, salutary and valuable publication. MT. Franklin was in later years active and influential in the formation of the present New Haven building association, the Co-opera- tive Savings Fund and Loan Association, of which Henry F. Peck is president and R. E. Baldwin secretary. Owing to impaired health with the new institution. MT. Franklin also few years ago was elected New Haven director in the Charter Oak Life Insurance company of Hartford, at the time an attempt was made to reorganize that institution. He, however, declined the appointment. He also few years ago was financially interested in the stove business in Chapel street store. He also recently, during failing health, in- vented new water filter, the Crystal water filter, which has elicited very high encomi- ums. He was eminently practical business man, and benevolent man as well. Many
 
 him when in critical business straits and many were his charitable acts for others; and his memory will be warmly cherished in many hearts.
 A few years ago Mir. Franklin, leaving the cares of business. took 8 trip to Europe, spending several months abroad, and the fruits of his observations while in the old world were embodied in a series of very in- teresting letters which were published in the JOURNAL AND COURIER soon after his return. The deceased had been in failing health for several years past, but did not give up busi- ness until few weeks ago. He died of g thrombus or blood elot affecting the action of the heart, the nerves of the stomach and chest being also seriously affected, and of dropsy of the lower limbs. He leaves to deeply mourn his loss a widow and two sons, George L. Franklin, who is in the dry goods business in St. Louis, Mo-, and John L. Franklin, young clergyman, pastor of Pill grim church in Buffalo, N. Y. He had lost five children by death. The interment will be in the family lot in the old cemetery.