CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: FRANK TEMPLETON - Smith County, TX 

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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com  
24 October 2001 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

FRANK TEMPLETON

Frank Templeton, of Houston, died in that city April 24th, 1907, and 
was buried at Jacksonville the following day.  He was a gallant 
Confederate soldier and bravely fought for what he knew was right.  
He was the author of a historical novel of great merit, entitled, 
“Margaret Ballentine, or the Fall of the Alamo.”  At the time of his 
death the deceased was within one day of being 64 years of age.  He was 
well known throughout the entire State, had been a resident of Houston 
for the past twelve years, having removed to that city from Greenville, 
Texas, where he was engaged in the practice of law.  He was born in 
Arkansas on April 25, 1843, and at the age of 3 years he came to Texas 
with his parents and located in Cherokee county.  At the time of the 
outbreak of the war between the states he enlisted in the Confederate 
army and distinguished himself as a brave and gallant soldier.  At 
the time of his death he was a member of the Dick Dowling Camp of 
Houston.  He is survived by a brother, J. A. Templeton of Kaufman, 
Texas, and two daughters, Mrs. Fred Harnung of Kansas City and Miss 
Lens Templeton of Harlington, Texas.  A beautiful floral design from 
the Dick Dowling Camp and circle wreath from the R. E. Lee chapter 
were placed upon the casket containing the body after it had been 
prepared for shipment.  The Texas legislature, in session at the time 
of his death, adopted the following resolutions, offered by Messrs. 
Terrell of Cherokee, and Brown, of Harris counties:

“Whereas, the Hon. Frank Templeton of Houston Texas, a distinguished
citizen and Confederate soldier and member of Dick Dowling Camp of 
Confederate Veterans, died at his home in Houston on the 24th inst.;
and Whereas, the Hon. Frank Templeton was an honored member of the 
House of Representatives in the Seventeenth Legislature from Cherokee 
county, and the author of the historical novel recently published, 
entitled “Margarett Ballentine, or the Fall of the Alamo”; therefore, 
be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, That in the death of 
Hon. Frank Templeton the State has lost an honorable citizen, the 
cause of the Confederacy an able defender, and his family a true and 
loving father and companion; and Resolved further, That this House 
extend its sympathies to the bereaved family, and that a copy of this 
resolution be sent to the family of the deceased, to the Dick Dowling 
Camp, and that a copy be spread upon the Journal of the House.”

The following is a tribute from Captain P. H. Fall, commander of Dick 
Dowling camp:
“Frank Templeton was a man of brilliant attainments, who had just 
published an historical novel of the early days of Texas, founded upon 
facts, embellished with beautiful scintillations of poetry, wit and 
pathos, evidencing a mind replete with a profound knowledge of those 
early days of the Republic of Texas.  His soul winged its flight, we 
hope, to a better world to join the wife and others of the family that 
had preceded him.  His brother, sister and uncle were with him in his 
last moments, at St. Joseph’s Infirmary.  His remains ae at Settegrst 
& Kopf’s undertaking parlors, whence they will be taken to Jacksonville, 
Texas on this morning’s train, where he will be laid beside the wife he 
loved so long and true, and with whom he anticipated a joyful reunion 
when he, too, should cross the river.  He was an enthusiastic member of
Dick Dowling Camp, and he will be missed sadly by his comrades, all of 
whom loved him for his sturdy, manly traits.  Good bye, Frank.  May our 
Heavenly Father take you to him.   Philip H Fall.”
His purpose in writing the well known “Margarett Ballentine, or the 
Fall of the Alamo,” was to pay a deserved tribute to the memory of the 
gallant Texans who fell in defense of Texan independence and against 
the Mexican army, and bring before the reader the personality of Travis, 
Bowie, Crockett and Bonham.  Frank Templeton was a genius and was 
favorably known for his genial and social personality.