My Genealogy Hound

MARTIN FRANK was born June 16, 1834, in Harrison County, Ind., and is the fifth son of a family of eight boys and three girls of George and Catharine (Hardsan) Frank, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of North Carolina. His father followed farming as an occupation, and left his native home when a young man, and went to Harrison County, where he was married when in his twenties. He entered 500 acres in the last named county. He remained there until his death, which occurred May, 1852, in his sixty-first year. The mother died January 11, 1849, in her fiftieth year. The subject of our sketch was reared at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he left and commenced for himself. He had in his possession a checked shirt and tow-linen pantaloons, and had an empty pocket. He took a job of chopping 40 cords of wood at 40 cents per cord. After completing, he started for Marion County, Mo., going by boat. He hired out as a laborer on a farm, working for $8 per month, for eight months, at the end of which he returned to his native county, and went to school during the winter. He continued thus several years, then flat-boated six years. In 1857 he hired out as pilot on the “Eclipse,” making semi-monthly trips from Louisville to New Orleans, which he followed until 1860. The same year, March 6, he married Amanda E. Hoyne, native of Perry County, Ind., to whom three children were born, two of whom are now living, named Blanche A., and Harry Sidney. After marriage he bought 80 acres of land in Section 20, Tobin Township, for $2,500, where he located and where he has since lived. After he farmed one year, he resumed piloting on the river; was present at the surrender of Vicksburg, at Fort Donelson when it was taken, and near Arkansaw Post when it was surrendered. The day after the battle of Fort Donelson he was on the battlefield where he picked up a rebel sword, which he has at the present time. His boat carried dispatches to Gen. Grant. He continued as pilot until the close of the war, when he abandoned the water and returned to the farm, where he has since lived. In 1857 he bought 175 acres of land in Callaway County, Mo., for $1,350. He retained it eighteen months when he sold it for $1,700. He is a Democrat in politics.