Joseph Franklin Frank

Vital Information

Born

1915-07-06, Bridgeport, Logan Township, Gloucester County, NJ

Died

2010-12-28, Swedesboro, Gloucester County, NJ

Age at Death

95

Occupation

Operator

Residence

Bridgeport/Logan Twp, Gloucester, NJ (1915-1920); Logan Township, NJ (1950); Swedesboro, NJ

Notes

Kevin's paternal grandfather. Full name: Joseph Franklin Frank. Christened 12 Apr 1925, Bridgeport, Logan Township, Gloucester, NJ. Youngest of 10 children of William Biddle Frank and Mary E. Farnkopf. Married Mildred Elsie Lewis. Father died when Joseph was 4 years old. Occupation: Operator (per 1950 census). Race: White. Buried in Gloucester County, NJ (cemetery TBD). FamilySearch PID: GDT8-FWZ. NJ Death Index: State File 20100066448. 9 siblings: William T (1896-1974), Laura (1898-1898), Augustus (1899-1986), Harry D (1902-1992), Harry H (1903-1992), George Reed (1903-1988), Anna Elizabeth Croft (1905-1992), Warren DuBois (1909-1966), Albert Jacob (1912-2001). 1940 census: married with infant daughter Mildred E (age 0) in Logan Township; Mildred wife listed as age 21 (born ~1918-1919, consistent with actual birth July 1918). Residence in 1935 was same house (Logan Township). Marriage likely ~1938-1939. 1950 census: 4 children listed — Mildred E (daughter, 10), Thomas W (son), Joseph D (son, 8), Davis G (son, 5). RESOLVED: 'Davis G Frank, son, age 5' in 1950 census IS Lewis G Frank (born 1944-07-15, age 5 on May 18, 1950). 'Davis' was a transcription error of 'Lewis'; the 'G' middle initial matches. Confirmed by Kevin Frank. Known children (from 1940/1950 census): Mildred E (~1940, ID 134), Thomas W (~1941, ID 135), Joseph D (~1942, ID 136), Lewis (1944, ID 22), and possibly Davis G (~1945, identity unclear). 1920 census (age 4, 'Joseph F Frank') in William B Frank household, Gloucester, NJ (Source 212). Mother's 1956 obituary confirms 'Joseph, of Swedesboro' as one of seven surviving sons. 1950 census (ark:/61903/1:1:6F9P-64PY) shows household: Joseph L Frank (head, age 34, operator, chemical plant), wife Mildred E Frank (age 31), daughter Mildred E (age 10), son Joseph D (age 8), son Davis G (age 5), son Thomas W. 'Davis G Frank' (age 5) is likely Lewis G Frank — matching middle initial and birth year (~1944-45).

Sources

Family knowledge (Kevin Frank, 2026-03-30); NJ Death Index 2001-2017 (State File 20100066448); FamilySearch GDT8-FWZ; FamilySearch 1950 Census Logan Township, Gloucester, NJ; 1940 US Census Logan Township (FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:K4RH-NQ7); 1950 US Census Logan Township (FamilySearch ark:/61903/1:1:6F9P-64PY); 1920 US Census (Source 212); Mother's obituary (Source 211)

Research Leads

• ☐ Find Joseph and Mildred Frank marriage record — likely 1938-1939, Gloucester County, NJ. NJ marriage certificates from 1848 held by State Archives.
• ☐ Find Joseph Frank's burial location — known to be Gloucester County, NJ per family knowledge. Check Bridgeport Cemetery (where parents are buried) and nearby cemeteries.
• ☐ Search obituaries for Joseph Frank (died 2010-12-28) in South Jersey Times. Obituary may list surviving children and grandchildren.
• ☐ Search obituaries for Mildred Lewis Frank (died 2007-02-26) for family details.

Research Gaps

• ☐ Documentary sources needed