Typed by: Jan Shelfer


FRANK, GEORGE

Surnames: FRANK, GLADSTONE, KLAYF, LIPMAN, LEVY, NUSSBAUM, SCHWARTZ

George Frank, b. July 15, 1848 in Suwalki, Latvia, Russia, d. May 9, 1931 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried there in Calvary Cemetery-was a son of Bernard W. Frank, native of Russia, who died in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1866, and his wife, Sarah (Gladstone) Frank, native of Russia who was alive there in 1892. In 18590, Bernard W. Frank immigrated to America-arriving in New York, thence to Charleston, South Carolina, and subsequently settled in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the Civil War, Mr. Frank was in the service of General Banks as a gunsmith for the Union Army.

George Frank left Russia when only twelve years old-also landing first in New York, and then joining his father in New Orleans. He later moved to Akron, Ohio, where he was employed as a clerk in a store-returning to New Orleans in 1865, and moving to Alexandria, Louisiana for a time, where he was engaged as a clerk for Wile Brothers. From there, he resettled in Marlin, Falls County, Texas. By 1868, George Frank was engaged in the general merchandising business in Marlin, and continued in that enterprise the rest of his life.

On August 25, 1879 in New York City, New York, George Frank was married to Anna Bell Klayf, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York-daughter of B. and Lotta (Lipman) Klayf, natives of Russia, who immigrated in 1859 to New York, settled in Poughkeepsie, where the father was engaged in the watchmaker and jewelry business. Anna Bell had a kindly nature, and was known for her hospitality and charitable work for the welfare of the community.

Politically, Mr. Frank affiliated with the Republican Party, and always took an active interest in the affairs of the county and state. He served as a City Alderman in Marlin for sixteen years. Although he was always an ardent member of the Reformed Jewish faith, Mr. Frank was so interested in all religions that he made the rounds of Protestant churches of Marlin. He would attend services on Sunday mornings in one denomination, Sunday evening services of a second denomination, and Wednesday evening prayer meetings in a third denomination-with Saturdays devoted to attending his own Temple in Waco. The protestant ministers in Marlin became familiar with him, and always recognized him when he attended services in their churches. He was a member of Marlin Lodge No 152, A.F. and A.M.; of Marlin Lodge, No. 16, Knights of Pythias; and also a member of the Seven Wise Men, of New Orleans, of the Independent Order of Good Fellows, at Marlin. Mrs. Frank was a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Eastern Star.

George and Anna Bell (Klayf) Frank were the parents of three children:

Rachel Lily Frank, who married Mose Levy, and was a life-long resident of Marlin, Texas.

Amelia Mildred Frank, who married Herman Nussbaum, of Galveston, Texas, died in 1971.

Bernadine Bertha Frank, who died in 1942-residing in Marlin, Texas during her lifetime.

The Franks had two grandchildren: Frank B. Nussbaum, of Galveston, Texas, and Jean N. Schwartz (Mrs. Armand G. Schwartz), of Hallettsville, Texas.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing these bio of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County," compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 163, column 2.

Member of Falls County Historical Commission