Franks Family

Any information on this family would be appreciated.

Through the internet I've met 3 people who've told me family stories on the Franks family which leads me to believe that Alvin J. Franks is Harley Mack Franks' father. Case in point#1, Harley Mack's wife Mary Ida Coan mother passed away when her last child was born. The child named Jimmy Herman Coan was raised by Harley and Mary Ida. #2 Mary Ida Coan's brother, Robert G. Coan married Harley Mack's sister Mary P. Franks. #3 I have Harley Mack's brother, James R. Franks' death certificate and it states his father is Alvin J. Franks. Family of James Robert Franks has told me some family stories also. If anyone can add to this or prove Alvin J. Franks isn't the father to my Harley Mack, please let me know. Also on the 1870 census Alvin J.'s son is listed as HARVEY M. Not Harley M. and it lists a son James and daughter Mary P.

Harley Mack Franks b. Aug. 8,1859 d. May 15,1936. He married Mary Ida Coan. She was b. Dec. 13, 1857 d. Feb. 29, 1929. They lived in Phil Campbell (Franklin county) Alabama. Both are buried at St. Paul cemetery in Franklin county, Alabama.

Children of Harley Mack Franks and Mary  Ida Coan are:

Mary Etta Franks b. Nov. 17, 1885 d. Oct. 6, 1905 Addie L. Franks b. Jan. 1889 d. ? Luther Deutou Franks b. Dec. 26, 1892 d. Aug. 13,1968 Jesse Ednar Franks b. March 23, 1896 d. April, 1975 Bessie M. Franks b. Aug. 1898 d.? Herman W. Franks b. Nov. 12,1902 d. April 08, 1986 Ethel Franks b. Nov. 12, 1905 d. June 06, 1982

Mary Etta Franks b. Aug. 1886 d. Oct. 6, 1905; married Silvester"Ves" Monroe Smith b. Aug 6, 1883 d. Jan 5, 1949. Have a copy of their marriage record.

Their Children are:

Gordon"Gordie" Sylvester Smith b. May 9, 1903 d. May 24, 1965. Buried at Franklin Co. AL, Tharptown Cemetery Perley Smith b. July 9, 1905 d. Oct 12, 1905 buried Franklin Co. AL. Blue Springs Cemetery. Buried beside her Grandparents, Isaac and Rachel Smith *NOTE* Mary Etta died a few months after Perley was born. They dies within days of each other.

Addie L. Franks b. Jan. 1889 d. ? No information on her family.

Luther Deutou Franks b. Dec. 26, 1892 d. Aug. 13,1968. He married Evie James b. Dec 22, 1894 d. July 1977.. They were married Dec. 19, 1913. Have a copy of their marriage record..

Children of Luther Deutou Franks and Evie James are: They had no children of their own, but raised 2 children of Evie's sister, Etta Mae James

Jesse Ednar Franks b. March 23, 1886 and d. April 1975. He married Ida Bell Heath. She was b. June 03, 1900 and d. Aug. 09, 1972. They married on Dec 20, 1914.. They lived in Phil Campbell Franklin County, Alabama were they had several children. Then moved to Blytheville, Mississippi County Arkansas and had the rest of their children. Have a copy of their marriage record.

Children of Jesse Ednar Franks and Ida Bell Heath are:

Ednar Harley(Russ) Franks b. Oct. 28, 1919 d. Jan. 14, 2000 Buried in Fort Worth Texas

John Sherman Franks b. Oct.28,1927 d.Feb. 6,2002

Bessie M. Franks b. Aug.1898 d. ?  Bessie(Bea) never married Buried in Mississippi Co. Arkansas.

Children of Bessie M. Franks are: Howard Franks b.May 27,1914 d. Sept. 23, 1970. He married Janie Victoria Jordan on Dec, 1 ,1934. B. Oct. 12,1915

Herman W. Franks b. Nov.12,1902 d. April 08, 1986. He married Lillie Mae Turner. She was born April 11,1905. He is buried in the Dogwood Cemetery in Blytheville, Mississippi county Arkansas.

Children of Herman W. Franks and Lillie Mae Turner are: Unknown

Ethel Franks b. Nov. 12,1905 d. June 06, 1982. She married Arlie Bedford Fowler. He was b. May 29, 1909 and d. Sept. 19, 1985. They lived in Blytheville, Mississippi County, Alabama. They are both buried in the Dogwood Cemetery in Blytheville.

Children of Ethel Franks and Arlie Bedford Fowler are: Unknown

* NOTE* Through a new researcher, Ronda Carter, I found the man on the census named Coen Farris IS really Farris Coan. Through this I found my g grandmother Mary Ida was really a Coan.

On the 1910 census for Franklin county Alabama Dist. 82 page 30-31 my g grandparents Harley Mack and Mary Ida state they had been married for 32 years, which would make their marriage year being about 1878. ALSO, BIG NEWS....Harley Mack's brother James R. Franks was listed on the same census. He was living in the same household with Harley Mack. James lists his age as 47 and being divorced. Also listed is Coen Farris, listed as brother in law.

2000-2001-2002-2003 Karen Martin