Source: A Goodly Heritage
Charles Franks was born in Nottinghamshire, England, October 1, 1793, and was
married to Elinor Young in 1818 and at once set sail for New York. They lived in New York and
New Jersey for a number of years when they moved to Toronto, Canada, where his wife
died. Afterward he married Miss Mary Hart who was born in Yorkshire, England. They continued to reside in Canada until 1837 when they
came to Illinois, living in Lee and Ogle counties until 1844 when he bought the Chambers claim,
which remained his home until his death in 1882. Grandpappy Franks, as he was familiarly called
throughout the neighborhood, was a sturdy pioneer and many a sick neighbor far and near
knew the value of his medicine. He was a devout Christian and no one who entered his home
left it without hearing the word of God. He often spoke in the churches urging his hearers
to live according to the teachings of the Great Book and the "iverlasting truth." He was a
staunch school man and was a firm advocate of all that tended to the betterment of the
community. He secured a charter and laid out the village of Brookville, donating a site for a
church and school house. His beautiful grove was always open for the annual Sunday school
picnic and no one enjoyed these occasions more than he. In his 80th year he addressed
the children on such an occasion and the president of Carthage college who was present in
speaking of him and his masterly address said "A sound old oak." And thus rounded out the
years of his life and he was gathered as the golden wheat into the garner of his Master.
