Shasta County CA Archives Biographies.....Franck, Frederick And Ignatz 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 4, 2007, 12:17 am

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

THE FRANCK BROTHERS, pioneer settlers of French Gulch, and leading mine-owners
and merchants, are natives of Mannheim, Baden, Germany. Their ancestors were
Germans and their father was a soap manufacturer of that country.

  The older brother, Frederick Franck, was born January 15, 1826. He was
educated in his native town and there learned the trade of lock-making. In 1846
he emigrated to New York, and from there went to St. Louis and worked at his
trade four years. In 1850 he started with a mule team across the plains for
California, the land of gold. They came to Sacramento by the way of Ringgold,
and on the last part of the journey suffered much for want of food, and were
greatly reduced. While recovering strength at Sacramento he worked at his trade
for two months. He then started for the mines at Salmon River and mined there
all winter, then went to Whiskytown and worked in the mines successfully until
the following spring. In 1852 he came French Gulch and mined until September,
1858. Having made a good stake he returned to St. Louis and spent the winter,
coming back to California across the plains. In 1854 he opened a store at Dutch
Gulch,—miners' supplies and general merchandise. After being there a short time
he removed to French Gulch and continued the same business until 1856, when his
store burned and he met with a heavy loss. His brother had joined him, and they
built their present store building, a lire-proof one, in 1867. They are also
interested in a ranch on which they raise fruit, clover, potatoes and vegetables.

  Frederick Franck was married in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Garecht, a native of
Germany. They have had twelve children, all born at French Gulch. Those living
are Fritz William, John C., Henry, Louise, William, Gustave, Julia, Lena, Eliza
and Mary.

  Ignatz Franck, the younger brother, was born July 12, 1831. He was educated
and learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, and came to the United
States in 1846. He worked at his trade in St. Louis until 1852, when he came to
California and mined on Feather River. After a short time spent in mining, he
engaged in an enterprise to turn the river, and lost all he had. Then he came to
French Gulch and engaged in mining, with good results. In 1860 he returned to
Germany to visit his friends, remaining six months. After his return to
California he engaged in quartz-mining with his brother. In their first venture
they lost $2,000; but in his next, with his nephew, J. C., they made $3,000
apiece, and afterward sold the mine for $4,500. He then bought a mine in
Deadwood, in connection with the McDonald Brothers, paying $1,100. This they
still own. They have taken out $450,000, and they are still developing the mine.

  Mr. Franck was married in 1870, to Mrs. Eliza Stark, a native of Germany. They
have had six children, born in French Gulch, namely: Henry, George, Louise,
Annie, Maggie and Clara. Mr. Franck has been a Republican since the organization
of the party. He is an Odd Fellow, and has been Treasurer of his lodge for the
last twenty-five years. The Franck Brothers are among the best known and most
honorable and reliable men of Shasta County.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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