Title: William B. Franklin Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1845-1919

Creator:

• Franklin, William Buel, 1823-1903

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 313

Quantity: 0.4 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

William B. Franklin served in the Civil War as a Major General. This collection contains materials relating to his life and military career.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English, German

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0313

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

William B. Franklin (February 27, 1823-March 8, 1903) was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the Civil War as a Major General. From 1880 to 1900, General Franklin was the president of the board of managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.

The National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was created by a bill signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1865, in reaction to the influx of Civil War volunteer veterans who needed long term care, but did not qualify for services provided for career military veterans. Over time, the eligibility requirements for residency were loosened and the homes evolved to address the needs of World War I veterans. The creation of the Veteran’s Administration abolished the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and the branches were reorganized under the VA’s auspices. The Northwest Campus of National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee had begun in 1864 as an effort by local women to provide for the many injured veterans returning to Wisconsin. After the bill of 1865, the women in charge of the Milwaukee Soldier’s Home established fundraising efforts to convince federal authorities to locate one of the first three institutions in Milwaukee.

This collection contains correspondence, certificates, documents and other material relating to William B. Franklin’s life and military career. Also included are a few documents related to the donor’s family who is allegedly related to Franklin.

The subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Franklin, William B., Papers, 1845-1919, Collection 313. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

This collection was gathered and donated by Dr. Selby V. I. Brown. Selby’s mother Elizabeth Kathleen Selby Jones Brown (Mrs. George V. I. Brown) was allegedly a descendant of Franklin. A folder of materials included in the donation is related to Carlos Jones, Selby’s step brother and Elizabeth Kathleen’s son. A detailed inventory of the collection is included in the acquisition file. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Described by Alice Richards, Fieldworker, 2014. Processed by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

Box   1 Folder   1	Carlos Jones, 1890-1919, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Certificates, 1886, 1889
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   2	1845
Box   1 Folder   3	1845-1889
Box   1 Folder   4	1890-1903
Box   1 Folder   5	Documents, 1863-1896
Box   1 Folder   6	Miscellaneous, undated