Santa Clara County
Biographies
FREDERICK C. FRANCK
An old and honored family of California is represented by Mr. Franck, who was born in Santa Clara, August 17, 1873, and has always made this city his home. His father, Hon. Frederick C. Franck, Sr., was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 23, 1828, and following the German custom attended school until about fourteen years of age, when he began to learn a trade. After serving as an apprentice to a saddler and harness-maker for a few years he came to the United States when seventeen year of age, and stopped for two yeas in New York City, where he was employed in making saddles for the United States government used in the Mexican war. Leaving the metropolis in 1848, he went to Buffalo, thence to Cleveland and Cincinnati, and later to Louisville, where he found employment at his trade. Next he went to New Orleans where, not finding work at his trade, he began chopping wood. Soon, however, he left that city for Natchez, where he resumed work at his trade. From there in December of 1851, he started for the unknown west. Going to the isthmus (which he crossed on foot) he took passage there on a ship northward bound, and landed in San Francisco in February, 1852. With all the enthusiasm of a newcomer, he hastened to the mines, and for two years prospected and mined in the Yuba mines and on the Feather river, at Murphy’s Camp and Columbia; but, not meeting with the anticipated success, he returned to San Francisco, where he worked at his chosen occupation.
During 1855 Mr. Franck became a pioneer of the then little hamlet of Santa Clara, to the subsequent growth and progress of which he was a constant contributor. As a member of the city council for eight years he assisted in promoting projects for the material development of the town. He assisted in organizing the fire department and for six years served as its chief. In 1871 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the state legislature and two yeas later was re-elected, his service being distinguished by devotion to the welfare of his constituents and loyalty to the state itself. The honor was conferred upon him of being elected a delegate to the national Republican convention of 1888 as the representative of the Fifth California district. In every public position to which he was called he showed himself to be the possessor of a high sense of honor, judicious foresight and keen discrimination. Though devoted to his party, he was not a partisan, but in every question of national importance rose above the narrow limits of party prejudice and endeavored to reach a decision on the standpoint of a citizen and not of a politician.
The marriage of Hon. F. C. Frank, Sr., united him with Miss Caroline Durmeyer, who was born in Wolfskirchen, Germany, became his wife September 23, 1857, and died in Santa Clara February 15, 1900, at sixty-five years of age. Eight children were born of their marriage, but only two attained mature yeas, Caroline and Frederick C., Jr. The former received a thorough education in the University of the Pacific and in 1892 became the wife of W. A. Laine, member of a pioneer and influential family of California, and a leading citizen of Santa Clara. The son, whose name introduces this article, was next to the youngest in the family, and was the recipient of the best educational advantages the town of Santa Clara afforded. One of his first experiences in commercial affairs was gained while holding the office of the secretary of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company. Reared in the Republican faith, he has seen no reason for changing his views on politics, but each national problem presented for solution has deepened his opinion as to the virtues of the Republican platform. His marriage occurred in San Francisco, August 16, 1900, and united him with Miss Maude D. Shuld, who was born in Illinois. They have two children, Delila and Gladys.
The financial success which rewarded the efforts of the senior F. C. Franck enabled him to enjoy all the comforts of life and surround his family with an environment of refinement and culture. After a long absence from his native land, in 1870 he returned to Bavaria, where he visited the friends of boyhood, and later made a tour of Europe, visiting points of historic interest, but returning to the United States firm in the belief that no country in the world excelled California as a place of residence. The only fraternal order in which he maintained an active interest was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he affiliated with the Santa Clara Lodge and passed all of its chairs. After a long and eventful existence he passed from earth, December 20 1902, almost three years after the death of his wife. His death was a distinct loss to the citizenship of his town; to the Bank of Santa Clara, in which he was a director; to the schools of the city, whose welfare he had promoted; and to the many friends whom he had won during the long period of his residence on the coast. Resolutions of respect, condolence and sympathy were passed by the state legislature, signed by George S. Walker, Harry Eils and W. J. Dougherty, in behalf of the assembly, and by C. M. Shortridge, E. J. Emmons and Robert T. Devlin, in behalf of the senate. These resolutions, setting forth his high character and broad talents, furnished another testimony of the esteem in which he was held everywhere and supplemented the many other tributes that his death called forth.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 410-411. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.