Charles Franklin Carson

Abstract

Charles Franklin Carson graduate class of 1882, first graduating class of MC. Carson was one of the first four people to graduate from MC in 1882. He married Senator Pierson's daughter of Alabama. She died at the birth of their fifth child, and he returned to Jonesboro, TN to live near his sisters, Mrs. Williams and Miss Fannie Carson. Mrs. Williams' husband was the first postmaster of Jonesboro. Carson met Mrs. Nathaniel Burnett Johnson on an excursion boat near Sweetwater, TN. They had been childhood sweethearts, and now that both the first Mrs. Carson and Mr. Johnson had died, the two fell in love again and married. Each had 5 children by their first marriage and 3 were born to this union. Sam the only son, was controller under Gov. McCord and Finance and Taxation Commissioner under Gov. McAlister. Carson bought 612 acres of land next to the Taylor farm down near Embryville and raised blooded horses. He built the 3-story house, which is now known as the Dick Berry place. With the house he had the first running water bathroom in the country. However, this was 100 or so feet from the house, necessitating a rather chilly walk to the so-callled indoor plumbing. He was an early Chairman of the Board of Education in Washington County, TN. All 13 children attended Washington College Academy.