Notes:
Data source is Constance Spotts Fernandez. E-mail pigcrafts@hotmail.com
Listed on the 1900 census in Millersburg Borough, Dauphin Co, PA living with his parents and siblings: Harry, Charles, Myrl, and Ella. He was 14, single, not attending school but working as an apprentice tailor. He could read, write and speak English. [Roll 1403 bk1 pg 260]
"Weldon Frank has secured a position at tailoring at Tower City." (Millersburg Sentinel, Jul, 03, 1903)
"G. Roy Moyer, Clark Hawley, George and Ralph Rutter, Weldon Frank, Jacob Gunderman and Roy Shott joined an excursion from Harrisburg to Willow Grove last Saturday (15Aug1908). They returned home on Sunday (Aug16) morning, after spending a delightful day." [Millersburg Sentinel, Aug 21, 1908]
"Weldon Frank and sister Mrs. Leo Crawford, with her two children, left for San Jose, California, this Thursday, Oct 29, morning." [Millersburg Sentinel, Oct 30, 1908]
According to his mother's obituary, he lived in Santa Rosa, CA in 1909. (Millersburg Sentinel, May 21, 1909)
According to his son's birth record. Weldon was living in Rochester, NY at the time of Raymond's birth. Weldon served in the Army from Aug 02, 1918 to July 12, 1919, Pvt 1st Class Hq Recl Detch.
Listed as "Weldon R. " on the 1910 census in Santa Rosa Township, Incorporated place of Santa Rosa City, Sonoma Co, CA at 752 Orchard St. with his sister, Myrl, and her family. He was 24, divorce, and worked as a vamper in a shoe factory. He could read and write.
Weldon is on the 1910 Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co, CA census living in a house rented by his brother-in law Leo Crawford and sister Myrl at 752 Orchard St. His occupation was listed as vamper at shoe factory but the Register of Voters for Sonoma County -Santa Rosa 1910 listed his occupation as tailor. The Santa Rosa city directory of 1911 lists Weldon living at 713 2nd St and working as a fitter at a shoe factory. The Register of Voters for Sonoma County -Santa Rosa (precinct No5 )1912 lists Weldon as a republican working as a shoemaker at shoe factory and living at 741 Fourth St. The Santa Rosa city directory of 1913 lists Weldon living at 713 2nd St and employed at the Shoe factory. The Register of Voters for Sonoma County -Santa Rosa (precinct No3) 1914 list Weldon and his wife Claire living at 416 Carrillo St. His occupation was broker and political affiliation was republican. The Santa Rosa city directory of 1915 lists Weldon living on B St and working as an agent for Met Life Insurance Co. The 1920 Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Ca census lists Weldon living with his wife Claire and son Raymond at 117 (Stanford) and working as a shoemaker at shoe factory. He was 34.
The shoe factory at which Weldon, and his wife worked before marriage and his brother-in-law worked was Santa Rosa Manufacturing Co (aka Levin Tanning Co.)
According to his father's obituary, he lived in Los Angeles, CA in 1923. (Millersburg Sentinel, Nov 1, 1923)
"FORMER CITIZEN ILL. The many friends of Weldon R Franke, formerly of Millersburg, will learn with regret that was compelled to close his business on Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs William Young, who financed Mr. Franke in this business, has left for her home in Stoneman, Pa. Mrs Weldon R Franke and son, Raymond Franke, are now visiting in Santa Rosa, Cal., while Mr. Franke is in Banning, Cal., for the benefit of his health." (Millersburg Sentinel, Mar 11, 1927)
"WELDON R FRANKE. Weldon R Franke, a native of Millersburg, where he was born and reared, died in a hospital in Fleming, Calif., May 27, following an illness of several months. aged 40 years. For a number of years Mr Franke had been employed in the real estate business in Los Angeles but was obliged to discontinue several months ago on account of ill health. Mr Franke, who was a son of the late Rankin T. Franke, of Millersburg, is survived by his widow and a son, of Los Angeles; three sisters, Mrs. John A Franke, Mrs Leo E Crawford and Mrs Emler J. Haine, of town, and two brothers, Harry Franke and Charles Franke, of Harrisburg. Interment was made in Los Angeles. (Millersburg Sentinel, Jun 10, 1927)
He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA Space 4 lot 708 Section M (Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA records) At the time of his death Weldon had lived in CA for 19 years, making his move to CA around 1908. His death record lists his occupation as real estate broker and his parents as Ezra Frank and Martha Mumma, information was provided by his wife Claire H Frank (still married).