Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Frank, Joseph ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 5:31 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 Joseph Frank is numbered among the worthy sons that Germany has furnished to Will county, and in this section of the state he has demonstrated the power of industry and perseverance as active factors in the attainment of success. He was born in Germany, March 21, 1833. His father, Erasmus Frank, was also a native of that country and was a cooper by trade. He possessed great physical strength, his prowess in that direction being unequalled by scarcely any resident of his part of the country. He died, however, when his son Joseph was only five years of age. The mother, Mrs. Margaret (Ludwick) Frank, was born in Elbach, Germany, and was a miller's daughter. She was a member of the Catholic church and died in her native country. In the family were three children: Elizabeth, now deceased; Martha; and Joseph. In the schools of his native country Mr. Frank of this review acquired his education. He came to America in 1853, when a young man of twenty years. Having bade adieu to friends and native country, he took passage on the sailing vessel Jerome, which was three months in making the voyage. The supply of water and food became exhausted and the ship was held in quarantine in the harbor for ten days before the passengers were allowed to land. At length they first set foot on American soil at New York and Mr. Frank secured employment there at the butcher's trade at the meager salary of six dollars per month. He remained in the eastern metropolis for about a year and a half, and from New York went to Pennsylvania, where he worked twelve hours per day for ninety cents. He then walked sixty miles to get back to New York, after which he took ship to New Orleans, remaining for a year in the Crescent City. During that period he made several trips to Mobile. While in the south he saved from his earnings a sufficient sum of money to enable him to make his way to Chicago, where he arrived with a capital of only ten dollars. He went up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and journeyed as far as Peoria by boat, for at that time the railroad extended only from Chicago to Peoria. Mr. Frank was married in Cook county and established his home in Lemont, where he conducted a butcher shop. He was quite successful in that undertaking and as his financial resources increased he invested in land, accumulating quite a fortune. He bought three hundred and sixty acres of land in Homer township and upon this farm is now living retired. In 1862, Mr. Frank was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Ennesser, who was born in Kelstet, Germany, August 21, 1846, a daughter of Louis and Barbara (Fernboch) Ennesser, who were likewise natives of Germany and spent their entire lives in that country. Mrs. Frank came to American in 1860 on the steamer Wanderbill, being on the ocean for one week. She came with her eldest brother, Louis, who is now living in Chicago at the age of eighty- four years and is her only relative in America. She first met her future husband at the home of Andrew Kenny, in Homer township. They were married in 1862 and became the parents of five children. Joseph, the eldest, living in Chicago at the age of forty-three years, is engaged in the ice business. George has been manager for the firm of Swift & Company, at Joliet, for twelve years. Frances is the wife of Matt Webber, of Homer township, living on one of his father's farms, and they have four children, three daughters and one son. Rosie is the wife of Ebb Carroll, of Homer township, and they have three sons and two daughters. Millie is the wife of Steve Pootz, and they have one daughter. As the years have passed Mr. Frank has prospered in his business undertakings and has paid as high as sixty-five dollars per acre for his land. He made all of his money in the butchering business and then judiciously invested in real estate, so that he is now the owner of a very valuable farm. He is also an expert in the manufacture of wine, making what he wants for home consumption and usually keeping about three barrels on hand. His wife is a member of the Catholic church and both are highly esteemed people, for Mr. Frank has been a most energetic man, diligent and persevering in all of his work, winning his success by reason of his own well directed labors. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/frank2585nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb