Frank 'How Many' Carroll -- Entrepreneur

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Born as Missouri dismantled lawful enslavement, Frank Carroll was among the first generation born in freedom. His parents, Abram and Mary, had been enslaved by legendary Gen. Nathaniel W. Watkins, serving their master on his Jackson property. When freedom came, Watkins' former slaves were offered no assets of acreage or a mule. The large family eked out a livelihood as waged farm laborers in Cape Girardeau Township. What latitude of self-determination did Cape Girardeau's majority community allow young Frank when he came of age?

To continue reading
For more than 115 years, the Southeast Missourian has written the first draft of local history. We have aspired to enrich, entertain, educate and inform. Our core values have remained firm: truth, service, quality, integrity and community. Support our mission.