Biographical Sketch of Prof. F. M. Carmack

Among those who shared in the labor of teaching in Franklin College during the period of its brief existence, no one deserves more kindly remembrance than F. M. Carmack. He was born in Tishomingo County, Miss. The exact date of his birth is unknown to the writer. He entered Franklin College as a student in the year 1849. An older brother, E.W. Carmack [born in 1825], was a member of the graduating class of 1848. Their father was a leading citizen of the county, and was a member of the State Legislature for several terms; a Democrat in politics, a Methodist in religion. The older brother, who, after graduation, chose the profession of teaching and for a number of years conducted a high-grade academy in the town of Jacinto, remained a Methodist until death. The subject of this sketch was a member of the graduating class of 1851. So far as known, not one of the class is alive. A few weeks before graduation, being of a little more independent turn of mind than his brother had been, he accepted the terms of salvation offered in the gospel and put on the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism. This was quite a bitter pill to his father, who attended the closing of the school. Some one spoke to him in terms of praise of his son's address on "Commencement Day." "Yes," said the father, "that was all very good; but he would go down into the water." This seemed to dash with chagrin the whole matter. As a student, Professor Carmack was faithful, honest, and far beyond ordinary in mental grasp. His taste was inclined to those studies which were literary and graceful rather than the exact. Still, he was no dullard in any department. Possibly the most striking trait of character both of himself and his older brother was geniality of disposition. His brother was a little careless in dress and bearing - sometimes a little waggish. Professor Carmack was more careful and cultured in his habits of life. While both were pure and clean in life, their uprightness was not of that harsh, repulsive character that offended those whose lives were not of so upright a mold. Immediately after graduation, Professor Carmack was chosen as a member of the corps of instructors of Franklin College, giving special attention to the teaching of Latin and Greek. He also for a while had charge of the preparatory department. In every position which he occupied he was efficient and successful, greatly respected, and beloved by his pupils. Teaching, however, was not his peculiar forte. As a speaker and writer, he was specially gifted. His change of religious views brought about a consideration of matters of controversy; and while quite young, both in physical and religious life, he wrote several articles of much power bearing upon the matters which separated him from the faith of his fathers. He was vigorous in thought, felicitous in expression, and full of that tender, touching pathos that showed most clearly that religious sentiment with him was no barren dogmatism destitute of vital force in the emotions of his soul. His speaking was after the same order as his writing - a happy commingling of clear, well defined, logical instruction with deep and earnest feeling. He enlightened the understanding and enlisted the soul. Not a great while after be began his work as teacher he was married to 'Miss Elvira (Kate) Holding, of Lewisburg, Tenn., a lady far beyond the average in native powers of mind and heart as well as culture. To them were born three children - one daughter and two sons. The daughter reached womanhood, and was married, but, being frail of constitution, did not live long after her marriage. The two sons still survive. The younger is the present senior Senator of his State in Congress. He inherited the intellectual ability of both parents, and especially the oratorical power of his father, with a large addition of personal ardor and vigor. He was too young to know or be impressed with the gentle worth of his father's example, or his life might have been different Not a great while after our friend's reaching manhood there began to develop in his constitution signs of lung trouble. While he continued to labor as teacher and preacher, it soon became evident that his earthly life would be cut short. Finally, after an earnest struggle to keep at work, he was compelled to surrender. His last days were spent in Sumner County, Tenn., in the hospitable home of Brother and Sister Joseph Harlan, near Castalian Springs. He closed his eyes in death during the summer of 1861, just as the fearful storm of war was beginning its work of devastation and blood shed. A pure, upright, God-fearing man, useful to the full extent of his physical ability, a most happy combination of the sweetness and gentleness of love and firmness and devotion to the truth, he passed, in the prime of life, from the afflictions of mortality to the glorious heritage of peace and Test which awaits the faithful. I have known few, if any, characters more worthy of unreserved admiration and esteem. In all my association with men in my work as teacher I have known none more lovable in character and of greater promise of true usefulness in the work of human elevation than F. M. Carmack. – by William Lipscomb, Taken from Franklin College And Its Influences, ed. by James E. Scobey, Gospel Advocate Company, 1954, pages 196-200.

His famous son was E. W. Carmack, Congressional Representative for TN.

Also buried in the same cemetery is gospel preacher James Jenkins Trott.

The following is provided by Joanne Turner:
Francis M. Carmack is the son of Cornelius Carmack and Nancy Agnes Smith. Information provided herewith is taken from "Sketches" a Carmack Family History which was written by Cornelius in 1828, and expanded on by his son, F. M. in 1860, on file at the Tenn State Library & Archives in Nashville, Tenn as part of F.M.'s personal diary. F. M. graduated Franklin College in 1851. He was a pioneer preacher and teacher. He married Elvira Kate Holding (dau of Samuel Holding) on 24 Oct 1853 at Lewisburg, Marshall Co., Tenn and left there within a few days to Mississippi. A very detailed record of his life can be found within his diary. He and Elvira were the parents of Edward Ward Carmack, the powerful Tennessee politican who was gunned down in the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. Edward was born on the 5th of Nov 1858 in Sumner County, Tenn, and was killed on the 9th of Nov 1908. He was a well-known writer, lawyer, orator, and newspaper editor. He served in the Tennessee General Assembly in 1884; was elected and served in the US House of Representatives two terms between 1897-1901; between 1901-1907 was elected & served in the U. S. Senate; ran for Governor of the State in 1908. Francis M. Carmack seemed to have an ominous feeling he was not to be long in this world. He died of a lung ailment at the age of 29, leaving wife and three small children.

1. Agnes Carmack, b. 18 Aug 1854; m. George Wilkes; died 26 Jul 1882;

2. Samuel Cornelius Carmack, b. 10 Aug 1856 in Columbia, Tenn; m. Sarah Dunlap;

3. Edward Ward Carmack, b. 5 Nov 1858 in Sumner Co., Tenn; m. Elizabeth Colby Dunnington; killed 9 Nov 1908 in Nashville, Tenn.