Franklin Brown was born around 1837 in Almond, New York, to John Brown and Caroline Andrews. His father was a farmer who owned $3,500 of real estate. Brown grew up in Almond, and by 1860, he was working as a school teacher. He may have served in the 87th Indiana Infantry, enlisting in August 31, 1862, and mustering out on June 10, 1865. He died sometime after 1865.