OBIT: William FRANKS, 1918, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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WAR AND PENNSY VETERAN DIES EARLY SUNDAY

  William Franks, a veteran of the Civil war, of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad company, and one of the best known citizens of the First ward, 
was found dead in bed at his home, 1520 Eighth street, early yesterday 
morning.  Death was due to heart trouble from which Mr. Franks had 
suffered for some time, although he was not bedfast.
  Upon retiring Saturday night, he seemed to be in fair health, 
although his relatives noticed that he seemed very weak.  Early 
yesterday morning Mrs. Franks went to her husband's room and gave him 
medicine and chatted with him a few moments.  When she went to his room 
shortly before 6 o'clock he was dead.  The family physician was 
summoned and pronounced death due to heart trouble.
  Born at McAlevy's Fort, Huntingdon county, March 20, 1845, he resided 
at that place until 37 years ago, when he moved to Altoona and entered 
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company in the lumber 
department, where he worked for thirty-four years.  Three years ago he 
was placed on the company's honor roll by reason of becoming 70 years 
of age.
  During the Civil war Mr. Franks was in Virginia for a short time and 
the call of President Lincoln was such that he could not resst [sic] 
and he enlisted in a Virginia regiment, serving two years and 
participating in many important battles.  
  Returning from the army after receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. 
Franks went to McAlevy's Fort where he worked as a lumberman.  Shortly 
after coming to Altoona he was married to Miss Rebecca Barr, who, with 
two brothers, Joseph, of Mt. Etna, and James, of McAlevy's Fort, 
survive, as does one sister, Mrs. Valentine, of Green Castle.  Mr. 
Franks was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the First 
Presbyterian church.  Funeral services will be conducted from the late 
home at 2.30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and burial will be made in Rose 
Hill cemetery.

Altoona Times, Altoona, Pa., Monday Morning, April 8, 1918