William D. Frank, shoe dealer, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, was born in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 20 February 1860. He is a son of John Frank and Susan [Miller] Frank. David Frank, his grandfather, was a farmer, and at one time owned two farms in Jackson Township and one in Halifax Township. He was prominent and highly respected. He died in Jackson Township.
John Frank, father of William D. Frank, was born in Armstrong Valley, Dauphin County. He was educated in the common schools, reared on the farm, and made farming his life occupation. He died in Halifax Township, in 1874. His wife, Susan Miller, survives him, and resides with her son, William D. Frank. Their children are:
William D. Frank;
Margaret Ellen Frank, died in her third year;
Emma J. Frank, has been twice married – her first husband was John W. Speck, deceased [and] her second is Aaron J. Bressler, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania;
Mary C. Frank, wife of David M. Stone, high school teacher at Williamstown, Pennsylvania;
John A. Frank, bookkeeper for Alley Brothers, Curwensville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, married Miss Livia Edgbert, of Curwensville.
William D. Frank was educated in the public schools of his native place, which he attended in the winter. in summer he was engaged in farm work. His father died when he was fourteen years old, and from that time he supported himself. He hired out among farmers at small wages, from which, by rigid self-denial and strict economy, he managed to save a little money. He worked four years as a farm hand. At the age of eighteen he became an apprentice to a shoemaker, Joseph Snyder, in Jackson Township, whom he served two years, receiving no wages. He then started out for himself and in 1880 opened a small repair shop in Elizabethville. He prospered so well, that after two years work he was able to buy a building lot, and erect a dwelling house and the store which he now occupies. He put in a full line of shoes, and from time to time increased his stock, as the growth of his trade made it necessary. He now enjoys a large and profitable business.
William D. Frank was married in Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, 22 January, 1882, to Miss Mary A. Koppenheffer, a native of Washington Township. They have had four children: Charles H. Frank, born 27 June 1886; two that died in infancy; and a son, born 3 May 1896, yet unnamed.
Mr. Frank is an earnest worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. He was elected to the borough council in 1895. When the town became a borough he served as school director, and was largely instrumental in making improvements in the schools and school buildings. He is a member of the Reformed church, of which he is a trustee. He has been secretary and treasurer of the Sunday-school for six years.
Mr. Frank is active and energetic in business, intelligent and progressive in his views, unselfish and public spirited. He is prominent in usefulness, and in social intercourse is always genial.
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The above information was modified/edited from Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, published in 1896 by J. M. Runk and Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A free download is available from the Internet Archive.
Note: No date of death or place of burial has been determined for William D. Frank. On 14 May 1906, a legal notice appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph:
Michael E. Stroup asked for the appointment of an administrator in the estate of William D. Frank, of Elizabethville, who has been absent seven years and is supposed to be dead.