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Left, 28 High, right, 80 Union (source-- Franklin assessor database)
The story of the ‘house divided’ comes courtesy of an occasional neighborhood walking friend, with whom a love of history is shared. And, so, kudos to Jayson Joyce for offering his research into one of Franklin’s more interesting historic home stories.
The house that Jayson and his spouse Chelsea share was originally built around 1875 as part of the home, still extant, at 28 High Street (on the corner with Union).
The original builder and owner remain a mystery but according to Jayson, the 1900 census has an Edward H Sherman living there, whose occupation was listed at Toy Collector. His widow Clara and daughter Lillian Frances were also living at the address at the time and continued to do so after he passed (hence the "Widow Sherman House" name, it acquired at that time).
The Shermans were involved in the straw business, like many Franklinites, and it appears their business eventually went bankrupt, according to Joyce’s findings.
In 1923, Jacob Geb moved in, and it seems his family lived in the place for years to come.
A 1907 issue of Franklin Sentinel, heralding the completion of a new mill owned by Geb (present location of the Franklin Mill Store), states that he was “born in Racine, Wis., where he learned the yarn business. He has had 30 years’ mill experience and for 18 years was superintendent of carding and spinning at the Ray mills in Franklin. His great familiarity with textile machinery has enabled him to add several important improvements to that field of industry. Mr. Geb is also interested in the Murdock & Geb company of Franklin, which manufactures bobbin holders, and the success of the enterprise is due, in part, to his ingenuity.”
Jacob died in 1939 and his wife Margaret remained at the address until her own death in January, 1940. Their son, Harry J. Geb, was the chair of the 150th anniversary celebrations and was also prominent in Franklin’s affairs. There is also a Geb Street further down Union, near the intersection with Washington Street.
Since the “Geb era,” many other families have owned the property, including, Joyce noted, some Bissantis.
But what of the ‘house divided’?
Well, it seems the Joyce house at 80 Union and the house at 28 High Street (on the corner with Union), were once one and the same – the very ample house inhabited by the Shermans and the Gebs.
But somewhere along the way, the back half of the house – now the Joyce home – was split off and moved a hundred feet or so to its present location and given a Union street address. Exactly when, remains a mystery.
Joyce checked maps from 1876 and 1879. Both show just one house. Ditto for the 1888 Bailey Aerial map. Searching through public records and available aerial photographs from the past has allowed Jayson to narrow the date for the “split” down to “somewhere in the 1920s.”
Why the house was divided is not known (yet) but is in itself perhaps an interesting story.
That will be a matter for continued research by both of us!
Regardless of when the split occurred, Franklin now has two homes that share a fascinating historical heritage.
Below, a Geb family card from the Franklin Historical museum showing the undivided house.
NOTE: With expectations of a slow news week, Home Town History will run daily through Saturday.
