Julius Franck

Julius Herz “Henry” Franck

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Birth: March 14, 1860 in Saxony (Sachsen), Germany

Death: May 28, 1910 in Victoria, B.C.

Plot: Row D – Plot 12

Inscription:
Sacred
To the Memory of
Julius H. Franck
Native of Halberstad, Saxony, Germany
Born March 14th 1860
Died May 27th 1910
Millie Peiser Franck
Native of Sandershousen, Tureringen, Germany
Born May 5th 1862
Died Oct 1st 1926

Biography:
Julius H. Franck left Hamburg, Germany on July 11, 1884. He settled in New York City where, on November 23, 1887 he married Mollie Pieser. He was 27, she was 25.
According to the 1891 Census of Canada, Julius and his family immigrated to Canada in 1890. The Franck’s were part of the second wave of Jewish pioneers in Victoria. Like many of his contemporaries, Julius was a married man when he came to Victoria. The 1891 Canadian Census showed that Julius was living in Victoria with his wife Mollie, Mollie’s sixty year old widowed father, Adolph Peiser, their unnamed 19 year old domestic “Chinaman” and four lodgers. Julius’ occupation was listed as “Retail Grocer Bookkeeper.”

The Victoria City Directories listed Julius as a bookkeeper for B. Gordon in 1892. The Daily Colonist reported on October 17, 1893 that Julius, then a grocer, had been badly injured of a “nasty” accident at the intersection of Government and Yates streets. Julius was driving delivery wagon when his horse became spooked and the wagon lurched, throwing Julius to the ground. Reports of the accident ran in the paper for a few days.

In 1895 the City Directories listed Mrs. M.P. Frank as selling grocery and provisions with Julius as an assistant grocer. By 1897, Julius was listed as a salesman, and by 1901 his occupation was salesman for the Simon Leiser & Co., a wholesale grocer. The 1901 Census of Canada reported that Julius and Mollie were living with Mollie’s older brother Kurt K. Peiser and his wife Anna.

Julius became a travelling salesman for the Simon Leiser & Co in about 1908. In 1909 a manager at Simon Leiser & Co. charged Julius with fraudulently appropriating $2,000.00 and property from the firm. The Victoria Daily Times covered the story extensively in February and March 1909. (articles posted above). The case was eventually remanded, postponed and rescheduled a number of times before it was withdrawn altogether by the prosecution “on humanitarian grounds as doctors agreed that the excitement attendant of the trial would almost certainly be fatal to Mr. Franck who is in the last stages of diabetes.” Julius’ lawyers consistently maintained that their case was strong, but acquiesced to the prosecution’s petition and the case was ultimately dismissed.

According to the March 14, 1909 edition of The Daily Colonist, “Mr. Franck wanted it known that Simon Leiser & Co had nothing to do with the initiation or conduct of the prosecution which had been launched by the insurance company.”

Julius then went into business for himself as a commissioner. He was a member of the United Commercial Travellers Association. Julius reported that he didn’t feel well and died suddenly and unexpectedly in his home at the age of 50. His funeral, held at the family home at 1082 Davies Street in Oak Bay, conducted by Dr. Hartman was well attended. The casket was covered with flowers. Max Leiser, the brother of Simon Leiser was one of the pallbearers.

Spouse:
Mollie Peiser Franck (1862-1926)

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