Franklin C. Courter was a native of New Jersey and came to Michigan with his family in 1868. He was a student at the Albion Preparatory School at Albion College from 1873 to 1876, and included art in his studies. He subsequently moved to Battle Creek in 1878. There he set up a portrait studio which he operated for several years.

Courter is best known for his paintings of landscapes, portraits, and portraits of President Abraham Lincoln. His most well-known work was a painting of Sojourner Truth being shown a bible by President Abraham Lincoln. That painting was displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In 1888 he returned to Albion College, this time as an art professor, and became the head of the School of Painting from 1891 to 1895. He painted the portrait of College president Lewis R. Fiske which hangs in the Stockwell building today.