During a practice in medicine of more than a quarter of a century, most of which has been passed in Sumner County, Dr. Dunklin has utilized many opportunities for devoted public service, and at the same time has been held in the high esteem of his fellow citizens. His home for many years has been in the country near Gallatin, on Rural Route No. 3, and his practice has been very largely among the rural communities. His professional associates regard him as one of the best doctors in Sumner County, and this appreciation was borne out by the success which has always attended his efforts.
Dr. Dunklin was born in Lowndes, County, Alabama, May 24, 1863, the son of Thomas W. and Martha (Crumpton) Dunklin. On the maternal side the family was from Virginia, and most of its members were identified with the service of the church, a brother of Dr. Dunklin’s mother, having been one of the most prominent divines in Alabama. The paternal grandfather, William Dunklin, was born in North Carolina, whence he moved into Alabama and there lived and died. The family was originally from England.
Thomas W. Dunklin, the father, was born in South Carolina in 1812, and his death occurred in 1877. His wife was born in Alabama in 1818, and died in 1881. From South Carolina the father, when a youth, accompanied his parents to Alabama, where he became a successful planter. He owned a great deal of wealth in slaves and other property, and at the time of the war invested in quantities of the Confederate bonds. The outcome of the war resulted disastrously to his financial standing, though he always provided well for his children. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom the doctor was the youngest. William James, the oldest child, served four years as a Confederate soldier, and the test of his gallant service was the five different wounds he received. The parents were very interested member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which the father was deacon for years. He was a member of the Masonic order, and in politics a Democrat.
Dr. Frank H. Dunklin attended the common schools of Alabama and the preparatory school of Greenville in that state. In 1884 he entered the University of Tennessee, from which he was graduated M. D. in 1886. The same year he entered upon active practice in this state, then spent two years in Alabama, and since 1889 has made his permanent home in Sumner County. He was a poor man when his professional career began in this county, and he has been so fortunate as to acquire a position of substantial comfort and affluence. He is owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres besides considerable bank stock.
In October, 1887, occurred his marriage to Miss Mary Bell, daughter of John W. Bell. Her father was born and reared in Sumner County, where during his active career he came to own an estate of five hundred acres and was known as one of the most successful farmers and stockmen of the county. The doctor and wife are the parents of two children: F. B., who is studying medicine in Vanderbilt University at Nashville; and K. B., who is manager on his father’s farm. Dr. Dunklin and wife are members of the Methodist Church South. He is a Democrat in politics, has been a member of the county Democratic executive committee, and has served as chairman of the county board of education. He is a member of the county and state medical societies, and the American Medical Association. He has been president of the county medical society, and at the present time is president of the Sumner County Health League.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 5.
