John Franklin was the son of Marshall Henry Hemphill and Mary Arnetta Glenn. He was born near Springfield, Missouri where the family sought refuge during the Civil War.
John grew up in Searcy and Marion County, Arkansas where he learned to be a Carpenter. Some relatives have suggested that for a brief period that he was a Sheriff in Jack County, Texas. His brothers recalled that he was a good fiddler.
John Franklin was twice widowed and had two sons and one daughter in each marriage. He moved to Texas( ca 1893 ) with his parents where for a time they lived near Alvord, Wise County and later near Coesfield, Cooke County where many of the family were sharecroppers.
John Franklin died of Tuberculosis as did his first wife Flora. Son Floyd, and daughter Elvie also died with TB. His second wife, Mattie, was badly afflicted with Epilepsy.
John was last known to live at Scipio, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma and died in Ashland, Oklahoma. Some family thought he may have been buried in the Scipio area and others believe he was buried near other family members at Ashland. The death certificate which is signed by daughter, Anna, does not indicate place of burial...No marked grave has been located.
Federal Census Records for John Franklin Hemphill:
1870-Searcy County, Arkansas
1880-Marion County, Arkansas
1900-Jack County, Texas
1910-Denton County, Texas

Marriage # 1
16 December 1883, Boone County, Arkansas
wife: FLORA AGNES WHEELER
(b 1864, Arkansas--d ca 1893, Arkansas)

children:

William Floyd Hemphill-b 1885, Boone County, Ark. "Floyd"
Elva E.Hemphill-b 1887, Boone County, Arkansas "Elvie"
Odes Harvey Hemphill-b 1889, Boone County, Arkansas

Marriage # 2
09 August 1893, Clay County, Texas
wife: MATTIE EMMA MARTIN
(b Aug 1871, Texas--d 1910-1914, Oklahoma)

children:

Thomas Henry Franklin Hemphill-b 1894, Texas "Frank"
Anna Louise Hemphill-b 1896, Texas
Charles Hemphill-b 1899, Jack Co., Texas "Buck"