Source: North Manchester Journal, August 18, 1910
DAVID FRAME CALLED TO REWARD
Veteran Hardware Dealer Answers Last Call Sunday.
David Frame, the veteran hardware dealer of this city, passed to his eternal reward at two o'clock Sunday afternoon after an illness of only about a week. His illness was the culmination of a long standing affliction of the bowels brought on by disease contracted while in the army during the civil war and which had bothered him more or less for many years. Although in ordinary good health, his age began to tell on him of late years and attacks of his complaint came with recurring frequency. A little more than a week ago he was taken with a more severe attack than usual and soon collapsed. His last illness was of such short duration that many friends were unaware that he was sick and only his family realized his condition. Death came peacefully at the hour above stated.
In the death of David Frame, North Manchester loses one of its oldest and best known citizens, a man who practically has seen the entire growth and development of North Manchester. The Frame family, consisting of James Frame and his wife and five sons and two daughters were among the pioneers of Chester township, having moved here from Ohio about the year 1852. David Frame was born near Springfield, Ohio, December 20, 1835. Had he lived till next December he would have been 75 years old. Coming here in 1852 he was at first associated in business with his older brother, Mahlon Frame, but afterward he spent several years as a clerk in the general merchandise store of George W. Lawrence, who will be remembered as one of the pioneer merchants of this place. Early during the civil war he enlisted in company B of the Forty-seventh regiment and served during the war. After returning from the army Mr. Frame engaged for some time in the grocery business and later in the hardware business. About 1874 he became associated with L.J. Noftzger and J.H. Bonner in the hardware business in the store room now occupied by Frank Humbert. This partnership lasted about four years when he retired and bought a small stock of goods at Liberty Mills, which after a short time he moved to Lafontaine. After a few months he returned to this place re-opening a hardware store in a frame building on the corner now occupied by Burdge's drug store. Since that time until his death he has been constantly in the hardware business, the firm becoming known as D. Frame & Sons. Of recent years the management of the business was entrusted almost entirely to his sons.
September 1, 1859, Mr. Frame was married at Wabash to Rebecca Rager, whose home was then in Ohio, but who was visiting relatives here at the time. Their married life was a congenial and happy one and nearly a year ago they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home, at that time entertaining a large number of the older residents of the community. He is survived by his wife and three children, Charles B. Frame and Gus B. Frame, of this city, and Mrs. Meda Vale, of Washington, D.C. Also by one sister Mrs. McConiga, who lives in San Jose, California.
As a citizen Mr. Frame had the confidence and respect of everyone in the community. He was a man of strong convictions and never hesitated to advocate and defend those things that he thought were right. Personally he was a genial and generous hearted man and it might be said of him that he had the ill ill of no one. He came of Quaker parentage and always held a birthright in the Friends church, although at one time in his life he associated himself with the Methodist denomination. He was also during his life a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic, but of late years was not actively affiliated with any of these organizations. His life was upright in every way and he always conscientiously followed those principles which he thought were for the betterment of mankind and the world in general.
The funeral service was conducted from the home on Third street Tuesday afternoon, the services being short and simple and devoid of display as was his wish during life. Brief talks were made by Rev. Albert Wright and Rev. N. W. Beauchamp and there was appropriate music. A large number of old friends and citizens attended and as a special mark of respect in which he was held in the community the business houses of the town were closed during the hour of the service. The pall bearers were Lewis Signs, Ademar Rufle, A.G. Ebbinghous, Henry Mills, H.B. Sheller and R.E. Quivey. Internment was made in Oak Lawn cemetery.