CHARLES L. FRANK, Oakland, Pennsylvania.
Besides being one of the Erie's competent and reliable engineers, Charles L. Frank is one of Oakland's best citizens and successful business men, owning as he does some of the best property in the city and conducting an ice business that is highly remunerative.

Mr. Frank was born in Coudersport, Pa., February 14, 1856, and was the son of William H. Frank, who was at one time an Erie engineer, but who resigned to take up the carpenter business. Mr. Frank left school at the age of 17 and went to the woods of Northern Michigan, where he engaged in lumbering for four years. He returned to Pennsylvania, and, settling in Susquehanna, engaged for a while repairing carriages and then ran a carriage shop of his own for a year and a half. Disposing of it in 1881 he accepted a place as fireman with the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company, running between Oneonta, Albany and Binghamton, but resigned in 1882 to accept a similar position on the Erie. He fired on the Erie for four years, being promoted to engineer in November, 1886, and then for five years on the Delaware Division in the freight service. and one year on the Jefferson Division. Seven years ago he was given a pusher on the Susquehanna grade, which he still runs, being highly satisfied with the change, as it enables him to be at home more to look after his other interests.

Mr. Frank was married in December, 1881, to Miss Anna Tripp, daughter of Giles Tripp, a prominent jeweler of Broome County, New York. They have two charming daughters, Winefred, aged 12, and Mildred, aged 10, both of whom are attending public school. Mr. Frank is a man of education and refinement, and with his family move in Vallonia's select circle. He is a member of Lodge No. 423, I. 0. 0. F., and Division 137, B. of L. E., and was First Assistant Engineer of the last named lodge one term.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the June, 1925 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:

Engineer who Runs the "Matt Shay"
C.L. Frank, engineer in charge of the Erie's famous engine Matt Shay, was born February 14, 1856. On February 1, 1882, he was employed as fireman and on March 1, 1888, was promoted to enginee.

Engineer Frank since 1893 has had charge of the largest pushers in service on the grade between Susquehanna and Gulf Summit. He is one of the highly respected citizens of Oakland borough, which is across the Susquehanna River from Susquehanna, and, as shown by his record, his services with the Erie have been of the highest order.