Lee C. Frank
When Gas City was beginning its development as a commercial center, Lee C. Frank identified himself with the new community, and set up in a business way there. For twenty years, since January, 1893, he has been a citizen of that community, and in that time a number of distinctions have come to him as a business man and factor in local affairs. The official records of the city, will always give him a place as the first treasurer after the incorporation under a city charter. His chief business has been as a funeral director and embalmer, and he keeps a first-class establishment with perfect facilities for giving service to his patients. His establishment contains two hearses, he has a complete line of caskets, and for eleven years, from 1893, at the beginning of his career here, until 1904, conducted a furniture store in connection with his undertaking business. For five years Mr. Frank was Vice President of the First State Bank of Gas City. His election to the office of City Treasurer, after the incorporation, occurred in 1894, and he continued to hold the office by successive reelection without any opposition candidates until January, 1912, resigning before the conclusion of his last term. He was elected on the Republican ticket, of which he has always been a stanch supporter, though as a matter of fact his choice for this office was one based upon personal fitness rather than on account of party considerations.
Lee C. Frank was born in troy, Miami County, Ohio, September 30, 1867. He grew up in his native town and county, was reared on a farm, and after getting his schooling was employed in an undertaking establishment, and experience which gave his a thorough preparation for his chosen vocation. Mr. frank is a son of Samuel and Charlotte Frank, who were born in the State of Ohio, and were married in troy, where the father still lives. Samuel Frank, during his active career, was one of the very prominent men, not only in his home locality, but in the State, especially in Republican politics. As a young man he enlisted during the Civil war and went to the front with the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio volunteer Infantry. His regiment was in the Army of the Potomac, and he fought in many of the great battles of the war, mainly in Virginia, being out about three years. In a small skirmish in Virginia he was shot, a minie-ball passing through his left elbow, and the wound was of such a nature that he was discharged on account of disability and returned home. The veteran soldier soon became prominent in public affairs. He was elected Sheriff of Miami County, then promoted to the office of County Treasurer, and for ten years was in the United States Revenue Service. In the meantime in a business way he had bought land and taken up farming. He served as postmaster at Troy during McKinley's administration, and for a number of years held the office of County Commissioner. He was one of the leading and influential Republicans for many years, a personal friend of President McKinley and of General J. P. Warren Keiffer, the latter one of Ohio's notable public men. The elder Frank served as delegate to many state conventions, went through the national convention as a delegate on several occasions, and was twice a presidential elector. He has been long identified with Grand Army affairs and has attended nearly all the national reunions. He and his wife now live in a comfortable home at Troy. In that city he served as alderman, and in other local offices, and has been township trustee. He and his wife are devout Methodists. Mr. Lee C. frank was the only son and his three sisters are: Mabelle, wife of J. H. Scott, of Troy, and the mother of four children; Maud, wife of Rev. E. M. Kerr, a minister of the Christian Church and they have one son and a daughter; Florence, who lives at home in Tory, is a fine instrumental musician, on the piano and pipe organ, and is a teacher of music and a leader in musical affairs in her home locality.
Lee C. Frank was married in Gas City to Miss Bell West, a daughter of James R. and Lucy T. West. The West family came from Ohio to Gas City during the early history of the latter locality, and her father was a hardware merchant for a number of years. He and his wife now live at Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. West was born in England. Mrs. frank was born in Elyria, Ohio, and was educated partly there and partly in the high school at Marion, Indiana. To their marriage the following children have been born: Margaret, who is now a sophomore in the high school; Richard, in the grade schools; Dorothy, also in school; William, is in the second grade; and Robert, the youngest of the family. Mrs. Frank is a regular attendant of the Methodist Church, and her husband is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Loyal Order of Moose.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.