People, Locations, Episodes

Chester Franklin, Journalist, and Publisher born

Chester Franklin

Chester Arthur Franklin, a Black businessman, was born on this date in 1880.

Franklin was born in Texas, the only child of George F. Franklin, a barber, and Clara Belle Williams Franklin, a teacher.  Young Franklin finished high school in Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska for two years. He was forced to leave the university when his father became ill.  To help the elder, Mr. Franklin, regain his health, the family moved to Denver in 1898. They bought the "Colorado Statesman" newspaper, later renaming it “The Star” because it was shorter and easier for the average person to pronounce.

At age 17, Franklin took over his father’s business. The younger Franklin continued to publish “The Star” in Denver until 1913, when he moved to Kansas City, where a larger Negro population offered more opportunities for a newspaper to grow.  There, he founded the Kansas City "THE CALL." The paper Franklin founded had many obstacles to overcome during its first years. When he set up his first typesetting machine, no one could run it. The local printers’ union forbade experienced men to give him help. "Mother" Franklin, as the editor’s mother was called, worked side by side with her son in building the newspaper. She went door to door in the evenings selling subscriptions to THE CALL.

Franklin believed in giving young people a chance in business and trained them to be good newspapermen and women, printers, salespeople, and clerks. In 1925, Franklin cast aside his printer’s apron and journeyed to Philadelphia, where he was married to Ada Crogman. Together, the couple and Mother Franklin labored side-by-side, building one of the finest newspapers in the Midwest. Franklin attributed much of his success to the two women in his life, his mother and wife.

Franklin was also interested in and participated in civic and community affairs when he first came to Kansas City. He was active in the campaign to raise money to build the Paseo YMCA building. He was a former member of the branch’s committee of management. He was also active in establishing the Wheatley-Provident Hospital, serving as chairman of the board of directors at the time the hospital was incorporated.  Through the years, THE CALL has continued to serve the community and speak out on issues affecting the welfare of African American people. Chester Arthur Franklin died on May 7, 1955.

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