Brown County MN Archives Biographies.....Frank, William 1837 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 23, 2014, 3:08 pm

Source: See Below
Author: L. A. Fritsche

WILLIAM FRANK.

    One of the best and most widely known citizens of New Ulm, Brown county,
Minnesota, is William Frank, a retired miller, who has been connected with the
milling business of this section since ante-bellum days. Mr. Frank is a native
of Germany, born in Mecklenberg on September 15, 1837, a son of Daniel Frank and
wife. Daniel was a laborer and died in his native land when rather young. After
his death, the mother bravely set out for America with her children and located
in this state. She lived for many years here, her death occurring in 1895. There
are still two members of Mr. Frank's family living in this county, his sisters,
Mrs. Wilhomena Schultz and Mrs. Julia Springer.

    William Frank received a good education in his native land and when a youth
was apprenticed to the milling trade, being twenty-two years of age when he came
to this country. His first work was as a farm hand on a farm in Madison county,
Illinois, near Edwardsville, where he remained sixteen months. He came to New
Ulm in 1861 and secured employment with the Globe Milling Company and worked for
them until the Indian uprising, when the mill was destroyed by fire by the red
men. He assisted in protecting the lives and property of the white settlers as a
private in Company L, First Minnesota Cavalry, serving one year. He went to St.
Paul after the Indians were quieted down, but remained there but a short time,
and returned to New Ulm. He gave his assistance in the rebuilding of the Globe
mill and was employed there again until it was again destroyed by fire in 1873.
Until 1879 he was employed as miller by the milling business now known as the
New Ulm roller mills and in that year, in company with a Mr. Bentzin, he built
the Cottonwood roller mill, which at first was operated by water power and had a
capacity of one hundred barrels in twenty four hours. In 1889 the water power
gave out, and from that time on steam furnished the motive power. Mr. Frank
remained with the company until 1893 when he sold his interest to Mr. Bentzin,
his partner, and retired from the active duties of life. For six years he made
his home with his son-in-law, Herman Bentzin, in the country, and then took up
his residence in New Ulm where he has since remained.

     As a resident of New Ulm, Mr. Frank has been interested in civic affairs,
serving as councilman for eight years, city treasurer for four years and was a
member of the school board for three years. In politics he is an independent
voter and bears the reputation of one who disinterestedly seeks the best good of
the community. Mr. Frank is a popular member of the Turnverein of New Ulm and
also holds membership in Hager Post No. 48, Grand Army of the Republic, serving
that body as quartermaster for the past twelve years. Mr. Frank also holds
fraternal relations with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has been
financier of that body for twelve years past. Altogether he is one of the
best-known citizens of New Ulm, has a wide acquaintance throughout the county
and is held in the highest esteem by all.

     In 1864 William Frank was married at St. Peter, this state, to Elizabeth
Guth, a daughter of George Guth, and to their union one child was born. This is
their daughter, Wilhomena, who became the wife of Herman Bentzin there being no
issue to that union.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY MINNESOTA
ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

L. A. FRITSCHE. M. D.
Editor

With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Old Families

VOLUME II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana


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