History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 433-434, Astoria Township
Franklin Fackler, retired blacksmith and pioneer of Fulton
Co. Among those battling for an existence in an early day none,
perhaps, displayed more energy and pluck than Mr. F. He was born
in the Old Dominion, Dec. 3, 1807. His father, Samuel Fackler,
was a native of Va. and a tanner by occupation; he married Miss
Elizabeth Fenton, who bore him two children. Franklin, the
younger, passed his youth in Va., where he learned the trade of
blacksmith. In 1828 he was married to Caroline Deary. She
was born in Va. During the autumn of 1835 Mr. F. crossed the
prairies of Illinois, and arrived in Astoria tp., where shortly
afterwards he opened a blacksmith shop in the old town of
Washington. He was soon found to be a good smith and pioneers
came from far and near to his shop. In 1837 he located at Astoria
and opened the first shop in the place, and for 44 years was well known
as a good workman. His marriage was blessed with 8 children, - 6
of whom are living.
submitted by Carla Finley
