BIO: George S. FRANK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ G. S. FRANK, M.D., of Millheim, one of the leading physicians of Penn's Valley, has gained by force of merit an enviable rank in his profession, and this success is more notable when one considers the high average of ability and attainment which is found in the fraternity in this section. In giving an account of the life of Dr. Frank it will be well to review the history of the family, and see the sturdy, progressive stock from which he has descended. Christopher Frank, his great-great-grandfather, came from Germany to America at an early period. Philip Frank, the great-grandfather, was for some time a resident of Hagerstown, Md., but in 1795 came to Centre county, and located near Aaronsburg, upon a farm now owned by Jacob Reed, the first farm to the north of the pike on the west side of the town. He was in comfortable circumstances, and being a man of intellect and enterprise was highly respected by all. In political faith he was a Democrat. His wife, Catherine Harper, was a sister of Adam Harper, who in 1802, became one of the first associate judges of Centre county. This worthy couple were among the early members of the Lutheran Church at Aaronsburg, where both were buried, the wife dying in 1831, and the husband in 1832. Their children were George, who is mentioned more fully below; Philip and John, who died at Aaronsburg; Eve, who married Judge John Shaeffer, and died in Miles township, Centre county; Elizabeth, who died in Lebanon county, Penn., unmarried; and Catherine, who married a Mr. Shade, and died in the West. George Frank, the grandfather of our subject, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1779, and from the age of sixteen made his home in this section, engaging in farming as an occupation. He was of ordinary height and compactly built, and a most industrious worker, although he never accumulated much. His schooling was limited, but he possessed much native intelligence. He always took an interest in public affairs, and in politics was a Democrat. He was married in Aaronsburg, to Christina Kramer, who was born in Jonestown, Lebanon Co., Penn., in 1780, the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Haine) Kramer. Her father died in Lebanon county, and her mother removed to Haines township, Centre county, where the young people first met. For some time after his marriage our subject's grandfather lived at Aaronsburg, but in 1809 he leased a tract of land in Sugar Valley, where he remained until 1814. He then removed to Brush Valley, and later returned to Aaronsburg, where he died in 1837, his interment taking place there. His widow survived him many years, passing away in 1863, at the home of her son Samuel (father of our subject) in Rebersburg, where her remains now rest. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 172 Fourteen children were born of this union, of whom eleven lived to adult age. Ten were living at the time of their father's death. Jacob, a miller by trade, died in Sugar Valley at the age of ninety; David, a millwright, died in Pickaway county, Ohio; John, a carpenter, died in Miles township, Centre county; George, a farmer, is living in Mercer county Ohio, at the age of eighty-nine years; Michael, a farmer and carpenter, died in Mercer county, Ohio, aged seventy-four; Samuel is mentioned below; Mary (Mrs. Solomon Confer) died at Millheim; Sally (Mrs. Andrew Stover) died in Haines township, Centre county; Elizabeth (twin to Sally) married John Hetzler, and died in Illinois;, Catherine (deceased) never married; and Eve (Mrs. Jacob Minich) died in Aaronsburg. Samuel Frank, our subject's father, was born April 25, 1821, in Miles township, Centre county, one and one-half miles south of Rebersburg, near the mountain, in a one-story cabin built of logs. When he was four years old his parents moved to Aaronsburg, where he attended the subscription schools of the day, his first teacher being Andrew Ebraght, who taught his classes in his own home. As his parents were very poor, the young student, who lived near the school, made the fires to pay for his tuition during the winter. One of his later teachers, Mr. Kerr, would hire his brightest and most advanced pupils to teach the primary class, and this work falling to Samuel Frank, he was enabled to secure free tuition for some time. The death of his father caused the separation of the family, and February 5, 1838, he left Aaronsburg to go to Rebersburg. He had nothing in the world but the few belongings he carried upon his person, and on arriving at Rebersburg he was bound out by the overseer of the poor, John Moyer, to learn the tailor's trade under Daniel Winters. Four years, two months and twenty days were spent in this service without a cent of pay or a day's schooling, his clothing only, and that of the poorest sort, being given him. During the last year he ran a shop at Wolfs Store for Mr. Winters, and at the end of his term he continued business there on his own account. On February 28, 1843, Samuel Frank was married in Miles township, Centre county, to Miss Sarah Brungart, a native of that locality, born April 22, 1825, the daughter of a well-to-do farmer, George Brungart, and his wife, Sarah (Kahl). This marriage was a most fortunate one, Mr. Frank gaining an excellent wife who helped him in every way. He remained at Wolfs Store until 1854, and in the meantime was for three years in partnership with Thomas Wolfe in a general mercantile business. Wishing to try a farmer's life, Mr. Frank then spent four years upon a farm at Spring Bank, in the same township, but in 1858 he sold out and removed to Rebersburg, where he purchased a general store from William Hosterman. He continued this business successfully for some time, Dr. J. H. Hilbish being his partner for two years, but in 1865 he sold his store and residence and bought a mill property and a small farm in the same township. Two years later he sold them and, returning to Rebersburg, purchased a residence which he still owns and a store adjoining, and also a small farm in the vicinity. He was engaged in mercantile business until 1879, when he sold out to Gramley Brothers, and for some years he has lived a retired life, although still enjoying excellent health. All things considered, his career is a remarkable one. Could he have had a thorough education in his youth, so that his intellectual abilities would have had free scope, his life might have been spent in other lines, but he could have won no stronger, truer friends and admirers than he now has among the people of Centre county. Any political position in the gift of his circle of acquaintances was his: he was associate judge of Centre county for five years (1877- 1881); county auditor three years (1871-1874); and he held almost every township office, including that of justice of the peace, in which he served five years. In 1843, at the age of twenty-two, he was chosen overseer of the poor. For a quarter of a century he was regarded as one of the most influential Democrats of Miles township, and he was no less active in other movements of his time. In 1841 he and his wife united with the Lutheran Church in Rebersburg, and he has been among its chief supporters, holding every office except that of preacher, and contributing liberally, especially to the building of the new church. As a recreation he has always been fond of hunting, and he has tramped hundreds of miles over the mountains in search of game. On September 1, 1886, his faithful helpmeet passed from earth, and her mortal remains lie buried at Rebersburg. Since her death he has made his home with his son James. Four children survive: James P., a farmer near Rebersburg; Luther B., a clerk in the same town; George S., our subject; and Paulina, now Mrs. R. D. Bierly, of Rebersburg. We will now return to the subject proper of this sketch. Dr. Frank was born October 22, 1859, in Rebersburg, where he received an elementary education in the district schools, Hon. Henry Meyer being his first teacher. Later he COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 173 attended the normal schools of the locality and, with private instruction in science and the languages, he prepared for teaching. At eighteen he took charge of a school, and after three years as a successful teacher in his native township he began the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel J. Hilbish, a noted practitioner of Rebersburg. His preliminary reading finished, he took a course in the Jefferson Medical College, graduating in 1883. His first professional work was at Spring Mills, but after a short time he located at Rebersburg, where he remained until 1886. He then settled permanently in Millheim, and now enjoys a large and constantly increasing practice, the territory covered being probably as large as that of any practitioner in the county and not excepting the oldest. He keeps well informed on the various lines of professional progress and is identified with leading medical associations, being a member of the Centre County Medical Society; Pennsylvania Medical Society; West Branch Medical Society; and the American Medical Association. In 1885, the Doctor was married in Rebersburg to Miss Melissa G. Miller, daughter of J. A. and Mary (Esterline) Miller, and they have an elegant home at Millheim, a model of convenience and comfort. Agreeable in manners and in conversation, he easily gains friends, whom his sterling qualities of character bind firmly to him. As a progressive citizen he manifests a keen interest in all local affairs, serving on the village council and the school board. At present he is coroner of Centre county; but while he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, he does not aim at political distinction. He is a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Millheim, and he and his accomplished wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, to which they contribute liberally, not only in money but in time and in strength, the Doctor being an elder in the Church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Note: Geo. S. (40, physician), Melissa G. (39) and Randall Miller (7, nephew) are listed in the 1900 Milheim, Centre County census.