Calaveras
County
Biographies
FRANK WILLIS FISK
In the town of Murphy’s, Calaveras
County, Mr. Fisk is well known, being actively identified with its business
interests. Here he is serving as the
postmaster and is also a druggist, conducting a well-equipped store in that
line. Throughout his business career he
has represented commercial pursuits here.
He was born in Oldtown, Maine, on
the 20th of March, 1857, and belongs to a family of English
origin. His father, Charles Fisk, was a
native of Vermont, born in 1813, and removing to Oldtown, Maine, he engaged in
merchandising until 1864. He was
recognized as an influential citizen whose opinions and efforts did much toward
shaping the public policy of the place.
He served as one of the selectmen and as a member of the board of
education. He married Miss Mary Ann
Eaton, a native of Nova Scotia, and in 1864 they came to California, locating
in the town of Washington, in Yolo County, where the father operated a sawmill
and engaged in the lumber business. He
was subsequently the proprietor of the Fisk Hotel at Silver Mountain, and in
1869 he came to Murphy’s, where he owned a placer mine. Here he engaged in merchandising until his
life’s labors were ended, his death occurring in November, 1897, when he was
eight-three years of age. He was a
citizen of the highest probity. While in
Alpine County he was public administrator.
His wife departed this life in 1893, survived by five of her
children. In the family were eleven
children, but six of the number had departed this life. Those who are still living are: Mrs. Mary J. Mauk,
of Phoenix, Arizona; Charles E., of Murphy’s; Mrs. Emily Smith, a widow living
in Sacramento; Fred E., of Los Angeles; and Frank Willis.
The last named, the youngest, was
twelve years of age when he came with his parents to Murphy’s. He attended the village school and at an
early age began to assist his father in the mercantile establishment, thus
acquiring a knowledge which enabled him to continue business on his own account
with excellent success. He was appointed
the postmaster of the town and took possession of the office in 1898. He has a very neat and well equipped office
in a portion of his store, and his daughter acts as his deputy, while his son
also assists in the office.
On the 7th of June, 1879,
Mr. Fisk wedded Miss May P. Shearer, a native of Murphy’s and a daughter of Volney Shearer, one of the early settlers of
California. They now have two children, Effie May and
Charles Frederick. They occupy a nice
home in the town and the members of the household maintain a high standing in
social circles. Mr. Fisk was elected one
of the supervisors of Calaveras County in 1886, and ably and faithfully served
for four years, during which time roads and bridges were built and others
improved, and the county hospital was also erected, Mr. Fisk giving his hearty
co-operation to all movements for the general good. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, and has been financier of the society since its organization in 1883. Almost his entire life has been spent in this
locality, and that those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his
staunchest friends is an indication that he is upright and honorable and worthy
of high regard.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 237-238. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Calaveras County Biographies