FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Frank Eddy Kirby
1st of 2 children of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips
Born: Nov 1, 1884, Fenton, Fenton Co., Michigan
Died: Oct 29, 1959 (age 75), Hallandale Beach, Broward Co., Florida; heart attack
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Occupation: Card salesman, Wholesale paper business, grocer
Married: Sep 12, 1905, Florence Mildred Clark, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Three children: Edith Clark Kirby, Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, Marian Scott Kirby
Florence Mildred Clark
1st of 3 children of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis
Born: Jan 26, 1887, Rome, Oneida Co., New York
Died: Sep 16, 1965 (age 78), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart attack
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Married: Sep 12, 1905, Frank Eddy Kirby, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Three children: Edith Clark Kirby, Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, Marian Scott Kirby
1. Edith Clark Kirby
Born: Sep 19, 1906, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Died: Apr 30, 1993 (age 86) Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida; heart attack
Buried: All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida
Occupation: Music teacher, co-owned w/husband: Bill Williams Photography Studio in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Married: Sep 3, 1932, George William “Bill” Williams, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
No children
2. Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby
Born: Jul 9, 1910, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Died: Aug 24, 2007 (age 97), Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Michigan; heart attack
Interment: Sep 17, 2007, All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida
Occupation: Medical secretary for a pathologist, and for the Wayne, Michigan School system
Married: Jul 7, 1934, Raymond Harry LaFrey, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Two children: Raymond Richard LaFrey, Lois Ann LaFrey
3. Marian Scott Kirby
Born: Feb 4, 1914, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Died: Mar 4, 1984 (age 70), Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., California; complications of emphysema/COPD
Cremated: Ashes scattered at sea off Point Lobos, Monterey, California
Education: Graduated from Michigan State University
Married: Apr 23, 1938, Kenneth Gray “Ken” Hermann, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Two children: Stephen Gray Hermann, Elizabeth Scott “Lizzy” Hermann
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Timeline and Records
Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents. Corrections or notes are in italics.
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Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips
1. Frank Eddy Kirby
1884-1959
2. Harriet J. “Hattie” Kirby
1892-1967
Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis
1. Florence Mildred Clark
1887-1965
2. Edith Ethelyn Clark
1889-1971
3. Frank Scott Clark, Jr.
1892-1979
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Mar 2, 1882: Marriage of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips, the parents of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Fentonville, Genesee Co., Michigan; Milo is age 17, Alice is 20
Nov 1, 1884: Birth of Frank Eddy Kirby, 1st of 2 children of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips, in Fenton, Fenton Co., Michigan
Nov 1, 1882: Marriage of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis, the parents of Florence Mildred Clark, in Michigan
Jan 26, 1887: Birth of Florence Mildred Clark, 1st of 3 children of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn Lewis and the future wife of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Rome, Oneida Co., New York
Feb 22, 1892: Birth of Harriet J. “Hattie” Kirby, 2nd of 2 children of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips and the sister of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Jun 2, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Milo B Kirby
Age 36
Birth Date Jul 1863
Birthplace New York
Home in 1900 Detroit Ward 14, Wayne, Michigan
Ward of City 14th
Street Vinewood Avenue
House Number 945
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Alice G Kirby
Marriage Year 1882
Years Married 18
Father’s Birthplace New York
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Occupation Paper Purchaser
Months Not Employed 0
Can Read Y
Can Write Y
Can Speak English Y
House Owned or Rented Rent
Farm or House H
Household members, Name, Age:
Milo B Kirby: Head, Age 36, born Jul 1863, M 18 years, born New York, Father born New York, Mother born New York, paper purchaser
Alice G Kirby: Wife, Age 38, born Sep 1875, M 18 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born New York, Father born New York, Mother born New York
Frank E Kirby: Son, Age 15, born Nov 1884, born Michigan, Father born New York, Mother born New York
Hattie J Kirby: Daughter, Age 8, born Feb 1892, born Michigan, Father born New York, Mother born New York
Jun 12, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank S Clark (father of Florence Mildred Clark)
Age 34
Birth Date Sep 1865
Birthplace Indiana, USA
Home in 1900 Detroit Ward 10, Wayne, Michigan
Ward of City 10th
Street Pallas Street
House Number 792
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name May E Clark
Marriage Year 1884
Years Married 16
Father’s Birthplace Indiana, USA
Mother’s Birthplace New York, USA
Occupation Photographer
Can Read Y
Can Write Y
Can Speak English Y
House Owned or Rented Rent
Farm or House H
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank S Clark: Age 34, Head, Born Sept 1865, Married 16 years, born Indiana, Photographer (father of Florence Mildred Clark)
May E Clark: Age 34, Wife, Born Nov 1865, Married 16 years, 3 children born, 3 children living, born New York ((Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark) mother of Florence Mildred Clark)
Florence M Clark: Age 13, Born Jan 1887, Daughter, born New York (Florence Mildred Clark)
Edith E Clark: Age 11, Daughter, Born Apr 1889, born New York
Frank S Clark Jr: Age 7, Son, Born Nov 1892, born Michigan
abt 1901: Union of Frank Scott Clark & Josephine M. Loranger, while he was still married to his 1st wife, Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark, in Michigan. Frank & Josephine had one child, Dorothee V. Clark, born 1902
1902: Birth of Dorothee V. Clark, only child of Frank Scott Clark & Josephine M. Loranger, in Michigan
Sep 12, 1905: Marriage of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan (son of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips)
Standing: Frank Eddy Kirby, groom & Florence Mildred Clark, bride
Seated: at left, best man, Raymond Hauser, flower girl Frank’s sister Harriet Kirby, at right Edith Ethelyn Clark, Florence’s younger sister
Photo taken by noted photographer Frank Scott Clark, the father of Florence Mildred Clark
Sep 12, 1905: Michigan Marriage Record:
Name Frank E. Kirby
Gender Male
Race White
Age 21
Birth Date abt 1884
Birth Place Michigan
Marriage Date 12 Sep 1905
Marriage Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Residence Place Detroit, Michigan
Father N B Kirby (Milo Baily Kirby)
Mother Alice G Phillip (Alice Gertrude Phillips)
Spouse: Florence M. Clark
Name Florence M Clark
Gender Female
Race White
Age 18
Birth Date abt 1887
Birth Place New York
Marriage Date 12 Sep 1905
Marriage Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Residence Place Detroit, Michigan
Father Frank S Clark (Frank Scott Clark)
Mother Mannie Louis (Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis)
Spouse Frank E Kirby
Record Number 47356
Sep 19, 1906: Birth of Edith Clark Kirby, 1st of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
May 6, 1908: Divorce of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis, the parents of Florence Mildred Clark, in Michigan; adultery
May 6, 1908: Michigan Divorce Records:
Name Frank Scott Clark
Marriage Date 1 Nov 1882
Marriage Place Oneida New York
Decree Date 6 May 1908
Decree Place Wayne, Michigan, USA
Spouse Mayne E Clark (Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis)
State File Number 23282
Number of Children 3
Divorce Status Granted
May 7, 1908: Marriage of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Louise Foster, his 2nd marriage, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, the day after his divorce from his 1st wife, Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark
As I Was Told: Frank and Mary were married in Ontario, Canada (just across the Detroit River). They married again in Michigan on May 7, 1908. No children from that marriage. Her sister, Annie Ward Foster, often lived with them. They rubbed elbows with the big industrialists of the age, the Fords, Goodyears, Firestones, the list goes on.
Contributed by Lizzy (Hermann) Bowman, granddaughter of Frank & Florence Kirby
Jul 9, 1910: Birth of Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, 2nd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Apr 13, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank S Clark (father of Florence Mildred Clark w/2nd wife)
Age in 1910 42
Birth Date 1868
Birthplace Indiana
Home in 1910 Detroit Ward 1, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Sheet Number 2a
Street Woodward Ave
House Number 654
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Father’s Birthplace Ohio
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Native Tongue English
Occupation Photographer
Industry Own Studio
Employer, Employee or Other Employer
Home Owned or Rented Own
Home Free or Mortgaged Free
Farm or House House
Able to read Y
Able to Write Y
Years Married 2
Enumerated Year 1910
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank S Clark: Age 42, Head, Married 2, born Indiana, photographer own studyo
Mary L Clark: Age 30, Wife, Married 1, 0 children born, 0 children living, born Kentucky, no occupation
Annie W Foster: Age 56, Mother-in-law, Widowed, 2 children born, 2 children living, born Michigan, Teacher of Dancing, private
Annie W Foster: Age 26, Sister-in-law, Single, born Illinois, Teacher of Dancing, private
Apr 22, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name: Frank E Kirby
Age in 1910: 26
Birth Date: 1884
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1910: Detroit Ward 8, Wayne, Michigan
Street: Twelfth Street
House Number: 641
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Florence M Kirby
Father’s Birthplace: New York
Mother’s Birthplace: New York
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Salesman
Industry: Salling Grad
Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner
Home Owned or Rented: Rent
Farm or House: House
Able to read: Y
Able to Write: Y
Years Married: 4
Enumerated Year: 1910
Household Members (Name), Age, Relationship:
Frank E Kirby: Age 26, Head
Florence M Kirby: Age 23, Wife
Edith C Kirby: Age 3, Daughter
1910: Frank Kirby w/mother Alice Gertrude (Phillips) Kirby holding Frank’s 2nd child Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby (b. Jun 9, 1910)
Frank’s grandfather, Levi J. Phillips holding Frank’s 1st child, Edith Clark Kirby (b. Sep 19, 1906)
Photo taken by noted photographer Frank Scott Clark (father of Frank Eddy Kirby’s wife, Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby)
Sep 23, 1912: Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark, wife of Frank Scott Clark and mother of Florence Mildred Clark:
Feb 4, 1914: Birth of Marian Scott Kirby, 3rd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
1914: Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby and her three children:
1. Edith Clark Kirby
Born: Sep 19, 1906, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
2. Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby
Born: Jul 9, 1910, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
3. Marian Scott Kirby
Born: Feb 4, 1914, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Jan 11, 1915: Death of Levi J. Phillips (age 78), father of Alice Gertrude Phillips and grandfather of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart condition, senility
Jan 11, 1915: Michigan Death Record: (note: conflicts with headstone death year of 1916)
Name Levi J Phillips
Gender Male
Age 77
Race White
Birth Date 1837
Death Date 11 Jan 1915
Death Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Father John Phillips
Mother Sarah Pike
Jan 11, 1915: Michigan Death Record:
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Parents of Alice Gertrude Phillips
Maternal Grandparents of Frank Eddy Kirby
Levi J. Phillips
Son of John B. Phillips & Sarah “Sally” Pike
Born: Nov 15, 1836, Gainesville, Wyoming Co., New York
Died: Jan 11, 1915 (age 78), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart condition, senility
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan ; west side of Sec B
Military: Civil War, Union side, New York
Occupation: Carpenter, paper hanger, decorator, apartments janitor
Married (1): before 1860 census, Alsina Scott
One child: Alice Gertrude Phillips
Married (2): Dec 8, 1890, Minnie Angeline (Gillette) Mullen, Wayne Co., Michigan
No children
Alsina J. Scott
2nd of 3 children of unkn Scott & Harriet unkn (b. 1809, New York)
Born: 1838, New York
Died: Aug 12, 1889 (age 52), Michigan
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan ; west side of Sec B
Occupation: Housekeeper
Married (1): before 1860 census, Levi J. Phillips
One child: Alice Gertrude Phillips
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Jul 8, 1870: U.S. Federal Census, Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan:
Name J Levi Philips (Levi J. Phillips)
Age in 1870 35
Birth Date abt 1835
Birthplace New York
Home in 1870 Fenton, Genesee, Michigan
Race White
Gender Male
Post Office Fenton
Occupation Carpenter
Male Citizen Over 21 Yes
Personal Estate Value 150
Real Estate Value 800
Household Members (Name) Age:
J Levi Philips: Age 35
Lucina Philips: Age 33
Gertrude Philips: Age 8
Jun 7, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan:
Name L.J. Phillips (Levi J. Phillips)
Age 43
Birth Date Abt 1837
Birthplace New York
Home in 1880 Fenton, Genesee, Michigan, USA
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Self (Head)
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Alsina S. Phillips
Father’s Birthplace New York
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Occupation Carpenter
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
L. J. Phillips: Age 43, Self (Head), born New York, father born New York, mother born New York
Alsina S. Phillips: Age 42, Wife, born New York, father born New York, mother born New York
Alice G. Phillips: Age 18, Daughter, born Michigan, father born New York, mother born New York
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Sep 12, 1918: WWI Registration Card:
Jan 9, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank S Clark (father of Florence Mildred Clark w/2nd wife)
Age 52
Birth Year abt 1868
Birthplace Indiana
Home in 1920 Detroit Ward 2, Wayne, Michigan
Street Putnam Ave
House Number 52
Residence Date 1920
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Mary L Clark
Father’s Birthplace Indiana
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Native Tongue English
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Art Photographer
Industry Studio
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged Free
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank S Clark: Age 52, Head, Married, born Indiana, Art Photographer in Studio
Mary L Clark: Age 40, Wife, Married, born Kentucky, Housewife
Mary Halfelder: Age 31, Servant, Single, born Germany, Servant in private home
Hilda A Rader: Age 24, Servant, Single, born Canada, Servant in private home
Jan 10, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name: Frank E Kirby
Age: 36
Birth Year: abt 1884
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1920: Detroit Ward 8, Wayne, Michigan
Street: Paptor (Poplar)
House Number: 20
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Florance C Kirby
Father’s Birthplace: New York
Mother’s Birthplace: New York
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Wholesale
Industry: Paper Business
Employment Field: Own Account
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members (Name), Age, Relationship:
Frank E Kirby: Age 36, Head, Married, born Michigan, father born New York, mother born New York
Florence C Kirby: Age 32, Wife, Married, born New York, father born Indiana, mother born New York
Edith C Kirby: Age 13, Daughter, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born New York
Betty Kirby: Age 9, Daughter, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born New York (Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby)
Marion S Kirby: Age 5 an 10/12 mos, Daughter, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born New York
Mary E Clark: Age 54, Mother-in-law, widowed, born New York, father born New York, mother born New York (mother of Florence (Clark) Kirby)
Frank S Clark Jr: Age 27 Brother-in-law, born New York, father born Indiana, mother born New York (brother of Florence (Clark) Kirby)
Ethel N Clark: Age 25, Sister-in-law, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born Michigan (wife of Frank S. Clark, Jr.)
Frank A Allen: Age 7 and 3/12 mos, Step-Nephew, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born Michigan (son of Ethel N. Clark and 1st husband)
Hugh C Clark: Age 10/12 months, Nephew, born Michigan, father born Michigan, mother born Michigan (Hugh Scott Clark, son of Frank S. & Ethel N. Clark)
Date unknown: Frank Eddy Kirby, selling paper to butcher shops in Detroit, Michigan:
As I Was Told: Mom was very capable, a strong supportive wife. As a child she had rheumatic fever which caused my Grandfather Frank Kirby to get a summer home on a lake NW of Detroit (White Lake near Fenton) where mom swam and learned to operate the outboard motor on a small boat and ferry her sisters and friends. She also accompanied her dad when he delivered paper goods to grocery and butcher shops in Detroit. Her perseverance and loyalty were remarkable, in tough and good times.
Contributed by Raymond LaFrey, the son Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey
Aug 5, 1925: Marriage of Henry Lyford Doliber & Dorothee V. Clark, daughter of Frank Scott Clark & Josephine M. Loranger, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dorothee’s mother, Josephine (Loranger) Clark, is living in Nova Scotia. In the 1930 census, Josephine is in Michigan, living with Dorothee and her family.
Apr 7, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank E Kirby
Birth Year abt 1884
Gender Male
Race White
Age in 1930 46
Birthplace Michigan
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1930 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Street Address Popular (Poplar)
House Number 2038
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Value 15000
Radio Set Yes
Lives on Farm No
Age at First Marriage 21
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father’s Birthplace New York
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Paper dealer
Industry Paper
Class of Worker Employer
Employment Yes
Household members, Name, Age:
Frank E Kirby: Age 46, Head, Married, Age at 1st Marriage 21, born Michigan, paper dealer
Florence E Kirby: Age 43, Wife, Married, Age at 1st Marriage 18, born New York
Edith C Kirby: Age 23, Single, Daughter, born Michigan, music teacher
Florence Kirby: Age 19, Single, Daughter, born Michigan
Marion S Kirby: Age 16, Single, Daughter, born Michigan
Mary E Clark: Age 65, widow, Mother-in-law, born New York
Apr 10, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Josephine L Clark, Mother-in-law
Birth Year abt 1874
Gender Female
Race White
Age in 1930 56
Birthplace Michigan
Marital Status Widowed
Relation to Head of House Mother-in-law
Home in 1930 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Street Address Broadstreet Blvd
House Number 11636
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father’s Birthplace Michigan
Mother’s Birthplace Michigan
Able to Speak English Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Henry L Doliber: Age 28, Head, born New Hampshire, father born Massachusetts, mother born England, teacher in public schools
Dorothy C Doliber: Age 28, Wife, born Michigan, father born New York, mother born Michigan (Dorothee (Clark) Doliber)
Richard H Doliber: Age 11/12 mo, Son, born Michigan, father born New Hampshire, mother born Michigan
Josephine L Clark: Age 56, Mother-in-law, born Michigan father born Michigan, mother born Michigan (Josephine (Loranger) Clark)
Apr 25, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank S Clark (father of Florence Mildred Clark w/2nd wife)
Birth Year abt 1865
Gender Male
Race White
Age in 1930 65
Birthplace Indiana
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1930 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Street Address Putnam-Ave-West
House Number 114
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Value 225, 000
Radio Set Yes
Lives on Farm No
Age at First Marriage 43
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father’s Birthplace Indiana
Mother’s Birthplace New York
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Artist
Industry Private Studio
Class of Worker Working on own account
Employment Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank S Clark: Age 65, Head, Married, born Indiana 1st marriage age 47, father born Indiana, mother born New York, artist in private studio
Mary L Clark: Age 49, Wife, Married, born Kentucky, 1st marriage age 27, father born Indiana, mother born Michigan
Annie W Foster: Age 39, Sister-in-law, Single, born Illinois, father born Indiana, mother born Michigan, dancing teacher
Sep 3, 1932: Marriage of George William “Bill” Williams & Edith Clark Kirby, the 1st of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Sep 3, 1932: Michigan Marriage Record:
Name Edith C Kirby (Edith Clark Kirby)
Gender Female
Race White
Age 23
Birth Date abt 1909
Birth Place Michigan
Marriage License Place Wayne
Marriage Date 3 Sep 1932
Marriage Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Residence Place Detroit, Michigan
Father Frank Kirby
Mother Florence Clerk
Spouse William Williams (George William Williams)
Father George Williams
Mother Harriett Cayton
Spouse Edith C Kirby
County File Number 411759
State File Number 100659
As I Was Told: Edith & Bill began a photography business in the basement of their home on 8 mile road in Detroit, taking family and school pictures. He was the photographer, she the printer and business manager. Their business grew and they built a studio in Royal Oak, the Bill Williams Studio, which grew to sixty employees, and included photo shoots for dozens of Detroit and north suburb high schools, along with weddings, bar mitzvahs, and prominent Detroit leaders.
Jul 7, 1934: Marriage of Raymond Harry LaFrey & Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, the 2nd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
circa 1930s: Marian Scott Kirby on the family boat, the Genesee, sailing on the Michigan Great Lakes:
As I Was Told: Mom (Marian Scott Kirby) and Grandpa (Frank Eddy Kirby) sailed all the time and entered many races. They belonged to the Detroit Yacht Club. That photo of Mom is my favorite. Grandpa sold the boat sometime during the depression. He owned a wholesale paper and supplies business.
Contributed by Lizzy (Hermann) Bowman, granddaughter of Frank & Florence Kirby
circa 1934: Marian Scott Kirby, college photo; graduated from Michigan State University
Jun 12, 1937: Death of Milo Bailey Kirby (age 72), husband of Alice Gertrude (Phillips) Kirby and father of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Jun 15, 1937: Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan (Tuesday, pg 25):
Jun 17, 1937: Burial of Milo Bailey Kirby at Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan; Section B:
Oct 26, 1937: Death of Frank Scott Clark (age 72), father of Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; chronic myocarditis (2nd photo circa 1918, taken by Joseph Gies)
Oct 26, 1937: Michigan Death Record:
Name Frank Scott Clark
Gender Male
Race White
Marital Status Married
Death Age 72
Birth Date 17 Sep 1865
Birth Place Peru Indiana
Death Date 26 Oct 1937
Death Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Father: John Clark
Mother: Chatlotee Ann Ward (Charlotte Ann Ward)
File Number 231183
Oct 29, 1937: Burial of Frank Scott Clark at Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan; Lot 341, Rt3
Oct 1937, Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
FRANK SCOTT CLARK Detroit lost the dean of its photographers and one of the most widely known figures in its art circles when Mr. Clark died Tuesday morning at his home, 5108 Cass Ave., of a heart ailment from which he had been suffering for some time.
The Rt. Rev. Herman Page, D.D., Protestant Episcopal bishop of Michigan, and the Very Rev. Kirk B. O’Ferrall, D.D., dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, will conduct the funeral services in the home at 11 a.m. Friday. Burial will be at Battle Creek.
Since coming to Detroit in 1892, Mr. Clark’s name had been inseparably associated with portrait photography here and his files contained negatives of most of the cities leading families.
He was born in Peru, Ind., Sept. 17, 1865, the son of the late Joseph and Anna Ward Clark. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors had figured prominently in the establishment and development of the Republic. His maternal Great-Grandfather was a major-general in the Revolutionary War and he was a direct descendant of Gen. George Rogers Clark, of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition.
Mr. Clark’s boyhood ambition was to be a painter and he started as a sign and barn painter, a circumstance he often smilingly recalled in later life. Photography also interested him and he later combined the two, working for several years in New York with one of the leading photographers of that period.
Although he was most widely known for his photographic ability, Mr. Clark never lost his interest in painting and he was one of the chief organizers of the Scarab Club. He served as its president for many years and was known as “The King of the Scarabs.” Some time ago he abandoned the lens for the brush and easel and the latter part of his life was spent painting wild flowers and wild life. His duck paintings have been hailed by naturalists for their detail and color.
In addition to the Scarab Club, he was a member of the Players, never missing their monthly frolics until his recent illness, and the Detroit Athletic Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, Boston Arts and the Detroit Boat Club.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Foster Clark; two daughters, Mrs. Frank Kirby and Mrs. Norman R. Langley, and a son, Frank Scott Clark, Jr., all of Detroit.
Apr 23, 1938: Marriage of Kenneth Gray “Ken” Hermann & Marian Scott Kirby, the 3rd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Apr 23, 1938: Michigan Marriage Record:
Name Mr Kenneth Hermann
Gender Male
Race White
Age 28
Birth Date abt 1910
Birth Place Michigan
Marriage License Place Wayne
Marriage Date 23 Apr 1938
Marriage Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Residence Place Detroit, Michigan
Father Henry Hermann
Mother Lillian Whittaker
Spouse Marian Kirby
Father Frank Kirby
Mother Florence Clark
County File Number 514959
State File Number 197253
As I Was Told: Marian graduated from Michigan State University, but was a homemaker for her entire married life. She did much volunteer work and always kept contact with her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts for more than 25 years as a troop leader and trainer.
Kenneth Gray “Ken” Hermann & Marian Scott (Kirby) Hermann:
Dec 23, 1939: Death of Alice Gertrude (Phillips) Kirby (age 78), wife of Milo Bailey Kirby and mother of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart problems, arteriosclerosis
1939: Burial of Alice Gertrude (Phillips) Kirby, alongside her husband Milo, at Oakwood Cemetery in Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan: Section B:
Apr 4, 1940: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank E Kirby
Age 56
Gender Male
Race White
Birthplace Michigan
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1940 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Street Poplar
House Number 2038
Inferred Residence in 1935 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Residence in 1935 Detroit
Occupation Salesman
House Owned or Rented Owned
Value of Home 2700
Attended School or College No
Highest Grade Completed Elementary school, 8th grade
Class of Worker Employer
Weeks Worked in 1939 0
Income 0
Income Other Sources Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank E Kirby: Age 56, Head, salesman, wholesale newspaper
Florence Kirby: Age 53, Wife
Alice Van Arsdale: Age 50, Lodger, trained nurse
1942: Kirby Family Gathering:
Left to right: Kenneth Gray Hermann, Edith Clark (Kirby) Williams, Mary (Lewis) Clark (mother of Florence Clark), Florence (Clark) Kirby, grandson Stephen Gray Hermann held by Frank Eddy Kirby, Florence Elizabeth “Betty” LaFrey, Stella (Davison) LaFrey, Raymond Harry LaFrey, Sr., dog Blacky, and Raymond Richard “Ray” LaFrey on tricycle
Nov 18, 1946: Death of Mary Louise (Foster) Clark (age 66-67), daughter of Richard Foster & Anna “Annie” Ward and 2nd wife of Frank Scott Clark, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart attack
Nov 20, 1946: Detroit News, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Mary Foster’s father was from a prominent early settler family of Battle Creek, Michigan. The sisters (Mary & Annie) and their mother were social arbiters of Detroit society for three generations through contacts formed in the mother’s famous dancing class.
Nov 21, 1946: Burial of Mary Louise (Foster) Clark, Oak Hill Cemetery alongside her husband Frank Scott Clark in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan; Lot 341, Rt 4:
Nov 30, 1946: Billboard Magazine:
Oct 5, 1947: Death of Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark (age 81), mother of Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; probably diabetes complications and age
Oct 5, 1947: Michigan Death Record:
Name Mary E Clark
Gender Female
Race White
Marital Status Divorced
Death Age 81
Birth Date 13 Nov 1865
Birth Place Oneida New York
Death Date 5 Oct 1947
Death Place Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Father Horaito Lewis
Mother Clara Sweatman (Clarissa A. “Clara” Sweatman)
File Number 370864
Oct 1947: Burial of Mary Evelyn “Mamie” (Lewis) Clark at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Apr 3, 1950: U.S. Federal Census, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Name Frank E Kirby
Age 66
Birth Date abt 1884
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place Michigan
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Residence Date 1950
Home in 1950 Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA
Street Name Poplar
House Number 2038
Dwelling Number 43
Occupation Owner Jobber
Industry Wholesale Paper Co
Occupation Category Working
Hours Worked 55
Worker Class Private
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Frank E Kirby 66 Head
Florence C Kirby: Age 63, Wife
Sep 12, 1955: 50th wedding anniversary of Frank & Florence Kirby, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
As I Was Told: The anniversary party was held Aunt Edith’s home in Detroit. I was the youngest grandchild, so I got to keep the shiny golden leaves! I loved my grandma and grandpa so much. My brother Steve and I would spend weekends with them sometimes. We went to all the big movies with them in the 1950s. They were happy loving people. We always had big Christmas Eve family gatherings at their home and gather around the baby grand piano and sing carols. Edith would play piano as she was very good musician.
Every Christmas Grandpa (Frank Kirby) played the part of Santa for the YMCA/YWCA Christmas party for underprivileged children in Detroit. I was 3 years and 9 months old. They had a big holiday dinner and when finished, Grandpa slipped away. I stayed with Grandma. I kept looking and asking where he was. Finally Santa came out and called each child up one by one. They sat on his lap and he spoke to them, then he handed each child their special gift from Santa. My name was called and I was very shy, but when I got there, I recognized him. I exclaimed proudly, “Grandpa!
Contributed by Lizzy (Hermann) Bowman, granddaughter of Frank & Florence Kirby
Oct 29, 1959: Death of Frank Eddy Kirby (age 75), 1st of 2 children of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips and husband of Florence Mildred Clark, in Hallandale Beach, Broward Co., Florida
Oct 29, 1959: Florida Death Index:
Name Frank E Kirby
Gender Male
Race White
Death Date Oct 1959
Death Place Broward, Florida, United States
1959: Burial of Frank Eddy Kirby at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Dec 18, 1960: Death of Dorothee V. (Clark) Doliber (abt age 58), only child born of the union of of Frank Scott Clark & Josephine M. Loranger, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan. Dorothee was buried on Dec 20, 1960, location unknown
Sep 16, 1965: Death of Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby (age 78), daughter of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn Lewis and wife of Frank Eddy Kirby, in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart disease
Sep 1965: Burial of Florence Mildred (Clark) Kirby at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan:
Nov 27, 1967: Death of Harriet J. “Hattie” (Kirby) McCormick, 2nd of 2 children of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips and the sister of Frank Eddy Kirby, in North Miami, Miami-Dade Co., Florida
Nov 1967: Burial of Harriet J. “Hattie” (Kirby) McCormick at Southern Memorial Park in North Miami, Miami-Dade Co., Florida:
Mar 4, 1984: Death of Marian Scott (Kirby) Hermann (age 70), 3rd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., California. Marian was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea off Point Lobos, Monterey Co., California.
Mar 4, 1984: California Death Index:
Name Marian Scott Hermann
Gender Female
Birth Date 4 Feb 1914
Birth Place Michigan
Death Date 4 Mar 1984
Death Place Monterey
Mother’s Maiden Name Clark
Father’s Surname Kirby
Mar 4, 1984: Social Security Death Index:
Name Marian Hermann
Birth Date 4 Feb 1914
Issue year Before 1951
Issue State Michigan
Last Residence 93950, Pacific Grove, Monterey, California, USA
Death Date Mar 1984
Jan 10, 1990: Death of Kenneth Gray “Ken” Hermann (age 79), 2nd of 3 children of Henry John Hermann & Lillian Wittaker and the husband of Marian Scott Kirby, in Pacific Grove, Monterey Co., California; of a stroke. Ken was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea off Point Lobos, Monterey Co., California.
Jan 10, 1990: California Death Index:
Name Kenneth Gray Hermann
Gender Male
Birth Date 26 Jan 1910
Birth Place Michigan
Death Date 10 Jan 1990
Death Place Monterey
Mother’s Maiden Name Wittacher (Wittaker)
As I Was Told: Ken graduated from high school on his 16th birthday and was deemed too young to start college, so he went to work. He ended up working for the Henry Ford Farms and then transferred over to the newly developed Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, remaining there for about 40 years. He worked in the controller’s office and then became manager of the purchasing department. He held that position until his retirement in 1975. He and Marian then moved to Pacific Grove in Monterey Co., California. He was very intelligent, always reading, and had a near photographic memory. He was extremely healthy, but succumbed to a stroke just before his 80th birthday.
As I Was Told: Frank Eddy Kirby and Florence Mildred Clark were my favorite grandparents. Both were very sweet and loving people. They lived in a large home in Detroit for 54 years. They seemed to always take people in when they were having hard times and helped to get them on their feet. My parents, Ken Hermann and Marian Kirby, were a family in that circumstance. Dad was finally drafted. They gave up their flat and Mom and my brother Steve moved in with her parents until he could come back home again. They said their goodbyes. Then the phone call… that same day! “Come pick me up said Dad. They changed the age limit for men with children. They stayed there for over a year because I was born during that time. My great-grandmother Mary Lewis married to Frank Scott Clark (a fascinating man and historical early photographer) and their daughter Florence is my grandmother. My great-grandmother also lived with us at the Kirby home until her passing. My parents saved enough money to purchase their first home in Dearborn to live closer to my dad’s work at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. He worked there for 38 years.
Contributed by Lizzy (Hermann) Bowman, granddaughter of Frank & Florence Kirby
Oct 26, 1992: Death of Raymond Harry “Ray” LaFray (age 82), the only child of Harry Almont Lafrey & Stella E. Davison and the husband of Florence Elizabeth Betty” Kirby, in Martin Co., Florida
Aug 26, 1992: U.S. Social Security Index:
Name Raymond H. Lafrey
Birth Date 18 May 1910
Issue year Before 1951
Issue State Michigan
Last Residence 34957, Jensen Beach, Martin, Florida, USA
Death Date 26 Oct 1992
1992: Interment of Raymond Harry “Ray” LaFray at All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida; Block 4 Lot 28:
As I Was Told: The original family name was Frey, a common German name from the Strasbourg area of France/Germany. The first Frey’s came to America in 1837 (George, Magdelena, and infant Michael) and settled with other Alsatians in upstate New York. The name Frey was changed by my grandfather, Harry Almont Frey, and his siblings to LaFrey sometime between 1910 and 1920, due (I suspect) to very strong anti-German sentiments from WWI.
My father Ray was born in Detroit on May 18, 1910. His parents divorced when he was ten and he was raised by his grandmother through high school. He put himself through the City College of Detroit (now Wayne State U), and got two graduate degrees from the U of Paris in 1931-33. He returned from France and began teaching French and Spanish at River Rouge High School, downriver from Detroit. He was not in the military — exempt because he was 31 when WWII started and a school teacher. He worked in a tank plant during the summers. They moved to Lincoln Park around 1940 and then to Wayne, west of Detroit in 1951 when he became principal of Wayne High School in 1950.
Ray and Betty (my parents) traveled to Europe several times. He retired in 1970 and they moved to Florida where he became an emergency medical tech, driving an ambulance during his early years in Florida. He died at age 82, in 1992 and his ashes are buried at their Episcopal Church near Stuart, Florida, north of Palm Beach. Mom lived to age 97 in an assisted living facility near Lois, Fenton Michigan area. Her ashes are next to Dad’s.
Contributed by Raymond LaFrey, the son Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey
Apr 30, 1993: Death of Edith Clark (Kirby) Williams (age 86), 1st of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida
Apr 30, 1993: Social Security Death Index:
Name Edith K. Williams
Birth Date 19 Sep 1906
Issue year 1958-1959
Issue State Michigan
Last Residence 34957, Jensen Beach, Martin, Florida, USA
Death Date 30 Apr 1993
Burial of Edith Clark (Kirby) Williams at All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida; Block 4 Lot 29:
Jul 17, 1994: Death of George William “Bill” Williams (age 85), the son of George William & Harriett Louise Gayton and husband of Edith Clark Kirby, in Martin, Marion Co., Florida
Jul 17, 1994: Florida Death Index:
Name George William Williams
Race White
Age at Death 85
Birth Date 4 Dec 1908
Death Date 17 Jul 1994
Death Place Martin, Florida, United States
Jul 1994: Burial of George William “Bill” Williams at All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida; Block 4 Lot 29
Aug 24, 2007: Death of Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey (age 97), 2nd of 3 children of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, in Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Michigan
Aug 24, 2007: U.S. Social Security Index:
Name Betty K. Lafrey
Birth Date 9 Jul 1910
Issue year Before 1951
Issue State Michigan
Last Residence 48430, Fenton, Genesee, Michigan, USA
Death Date 24 Aug 2007
Sep 26, 2007: The Stuart News, Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Michigan (pg 13):
Betty LaFrey, 97 years young, passed from this life on August 24, 2007 at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, MI. Betty was born July 9, 1910 in Detroit, MI. She graduated from Detroit Business School and married Raymond H. La Frey in 1934. They lived in the Detroit area and after her two children were in school she worked as a medical secretary for a pathologist and the Wayne, Michigan School system. Raymond was a teacher and high school principal. They retired to Florida in 1970, living in Hollywood and Jensen Beach. They traveled extensively to France, Germany, and Yugoslavia and spent a summer in Spain.
She moved back to Michigan in 2004 and had been living at Abbey Park, in Grand Blanc.
She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, and worked in the Church Thrift Shop in Jensen Beach until her early 90s. She attended St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc.
She was known for a positive, caring disposition, looking for the best in people and in life, and willing to help others. Her strength to accept life’s challenges and carry on was an inspiration to all.
Betty was preceded in death by husband Raymond; parents, Frank and Florence Kirby; and sisters, Edith Williams and Marion Herman. Betty is survived by her two children Lois (Edward) Abbott of Fenton, MI and Raymond (Phyllis) La Frey of New Braunfels, TX; four grandchildren, ….; nine great-grandchildren, …..
A memorial service was held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Grand Blanc, MI on Thursday, August 30, 2007. Her ashes will be interred at All Saints Cemetery, Jensen Beach, FL on Thursday, September 27, 11:30 AM, next to her husband.
Contributed by Raymond LaFrey, the son Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey
Sep 27, 2007: Interment of Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey at All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach, Martin Co., Florida; Block 4 Lot 28:
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Clark Family Line
Family of Florence Mildred Clark
Frank Scott Clark
Son of Joseph Caledon Clark & Charlotte Anna Ward
Born: Sep 17, 1865, Peru, Miami Co., Indiana
Died: Oct 26, 1937 (age 72), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; chronic myocarditis
Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan
Occupation: Noted photographer (professional portraiture) and fine art painter (operated a photography gallery in Detroit for many years, then painted wild flowers and wild life in his later years)
Avocation: Belonged to numerous Detroit social & athletic clubs
Married (1): Nov 1, 1882, Mary Evelyn Lewis, Oneida Co., New York
Divorced: May 6, 1908, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; adultery
Three children: Florence Mildred Clark, Edith Ethelyn Clark, Frank Scott Clark, Jr.
Union: abt 1901: Josephine M. Loranger (while still married to 1st wife), Michigan
One child: Dorothee V. Clark (born 1902)
Married (2): May 7, 1908, Mary Louise Foster, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
No children
(m.1) Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis
Daughter of Horatio A. Lewis & Clarissa A. “Clara” Sweatman
Born: Nov 13, 1865, Oneida Co., New York
Died: Oct 5, 1947 (age 81), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; probably diabetes complications and age
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Married (1): Nov 1, 1882, Frank Scott Clark, Oneida Co., New York
Divorced: May 6, 1908, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Three children: Florence Mildred Clark, Edith Ethelyn Clark, Frank Scott Clark, Jr.
(union) Josephine M. Loranger
Daughter of William A. Loranger & Josephine White
Born: Jun 1873, Detroit Michigan
Died: living with daughter and family in 1930 census
Buried:
Occupation: Saleslady in Drygoods
Union: abt 1901: Frank Scott Clark (while he was still married to his 1st wife), Michigan
One child: Dorothee V. Clark
(m.2) Mary Louise Foster
Daughter of Reginald Conyngton Foster & Sarah Anne “Annie” Ward
Occupation: Dance teacher to Detroit’s rich and famous
Born: Aug 19, 1886, Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky
Died: Nov 18, 1946 (age 60), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; congestive heart failure
Buried: Nov 21, 1946, Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan
Married: May 7, 1908, Frank Scott Clark, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan (her only marriage)
No children
Three children of Frank Scott Clark & Mary Evelyn “Mamie” Lewis:
1. Florence Mildred Clark
Born: Jan 26, 1887, Rome, Oneida Co., New York
Died: Sep 16, 1965 (age 78), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart disease
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Married: Sep 12, 1905, Frank Eddy Kirby, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Three children: Edith Clark Kirby, Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, Marian Scott Kirby
2. Edith Ethelyn Clark
Born: Mar 18, 1889, Michigan
Died: Nov 20, 1971 (age 82), North Miami, Miami-Dade Co., Florida
Buried: Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens West in Hollywood, Broward Co., Florida
Occupation: Beautician
Married (1): Jun 9, 1917, Norman Richard Langley, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
No children
Married (2): Oct 27, 1939, Joseph Treffle “Frenchy” Meloche, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan; one month after divorcing his 1st wife
No children
3. Frank Scott Clark, Jr.
Born: Nov 21, 1892, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Died: Mar 9, 1979 (age 86), Grosse Pointe, Wayne Co., Michigan; heart attack
Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Occupation: Sign letterer & painter, commercial artist, photographer
Married: Jul 7, 1917, Ethel Mary Neff, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Two children: Frank A. Allen/Clark (child of Ethel Mary Neff from a prior union), Hugh Scott Clark
One child of Frank Scott Clark & Josephine M. Loranger:
1. Dorothee V. Clark
Born: 1902, Michigan
Died: Dec 18, 1960 (abt age 58), Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
Buried: Dec 20, 1960, unkn
Married: Aug 5, 1925, Henry Lyford Doliber, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire
Two children: Richard H. Doliber, John W. Doliber
1. Richard H. Doliber
1929-
2. John W. Doliber
1931-2014
==========
Dec 18, 1960: Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan (pg 40):
********************
PHOTOGRAPHER-ARTIST-RACONTEUR
FRANK SCOTT CLARK
(1865-1937)
A LEGEND IN HIS OWN TIME
TEXT & IMAGES COPYRIGHT
THOMAS G. YANUL
PORTRAIT OF F.S. CLARK
BY JOSEPH GIES – CA.1918
SCARAB CLUB, DETROIT.
GIFT OF MARY CLARK.
Photo from Who’s Who In Professional Portraiture In America. 1927, Abel Pub. Co.
Much of what I have learned about Clark has come from published pieces, mainly Detroit newspapers. A lengthy piece in the Detroit News dated Sunday, June 19, 1919 gives a good broad overview (along with a portrait) of Clark’s life. Other smaller news pieces, many from “today’s birthdays” pieces in the Detroit News also fill in some of the particulars, as do the many obituary pieces. I suspect there are more articles to find but this is the initial recording for this website. And of course I must acknowledge Florence “Betty” LaFrey, F.S. Clark’s granddaughter – a spry 91 year-old “sparkplug” of a woman. Betty remembers her grandfather well, although visits were limited since her grandfather had divorced her grandmother.
“He did have an eye for the ladies” she stated with some candor.
Because of the divorce Clark was somewhat socially absent from his first family for much of his life. And he had no children with his 2nd wife. Although some items were apparently donated to the Scarab Club, much of Clark’s personal paperwork and momentoes have disappreared. It seems safe to assume that his 2nd wife was not as interested in the perpetuation of her husband’s life’s work; her own agenda seems to have been to focus on her own past career as a dance teacher to the area’s rich and famous. An unfortunate set of circumstances to perpetuate his memory…
Frank Scott Clark was ten years old when his family lost their modest wealth in the largely unregulated business and commercial environment of the 19th century.
He began life September 16, 1865 in Peru, Indiana. Unfortunately family records do not exist that relate any specific information about the Clark family other than later statements by him that say his family went back to Revolutionary War days, and that he was a direct descendant of the explorer John Rogers Clark. Frank Scott Clark’s future years seem to form out of necessity as he began to fend for himself because of the economic state of the family. Many moves follow his young years including Canada and back to the eastern United States. Various jobs seem to have been the course for young Clark, from a shoe manufacturer, to a shipyard and carpentry, to painting barns and signs.
What seems to be evident in all this is that to young Clark, these were learning experiences, not drudgery of labor. He apparently invested his skills into every next job opportunity to advance his knowledge in general, and prove useful in finding a next rung up the ladder.
Probably the most important aspect that led him on a path to photography initially was his securing a job (ca.1880-81) in New York City with the pre-eminent background painter Lafayette W. Seavey. His backgrounds were becoming increasingly popular with portrait photographers as the profession moved into the use of cabinet sized cards in the late 1870’s and became the rage in the 80’s & 90’s. This position led to his being hired by the legendary New York portrait photographer Napoleon Sarony, a friend of Seavey. Sarony seems to have almost been singularly responsible for the advent of celebrity photos. His instincts that people wanted to have a picture of a theater personality – especially women – made Sarony a photographer to recon with when making money by means of mass distribution. Sarony had already created a name for himself in the field of lithography and perhaps that is where the idea for mass distribution at relatively low prices came from. Clark not only made/created/set-up backgrounds for Sarony but according to Clark, he also worked as a camera operator in Sarony’s stable. Seldom can any artisan produce volume work without calling on others to handle some of the actual artistic production
After several years with Sarony, and a brief study/work time with another noted New York City photographer Jose Maria Mora (also a former Sarony protege), Clark struck out on his own. For a few years he had to maintain his economic life doing both portraiture and odd-job painting productions such as theater sets, photographers background artwork and various odd jobs – but Clark’s variety of skills in the trades, painting, and photography all seem to have served him well by being able to provide unusual and varied services to a broad range of clients
In 1892 Clark comes to Detroit… in 1903 Clark began operating on his own and fast becomes connected with the upscale side of Detroit society, along with its literary, artistic and theatrical arenas. Clark’s background and broad interests served him well in all of these areas. But to say his success came from his knowledge and abilities is to bely the fact that it takes a particular personality to “sell” oneself to others. Obviously Frank Scott Clark was a man of warmth, charm, and business acumen. Clark became a “larger-than-life” character of the Detroit scene. He obviously made a goodly income.
He became involved in the life of numerous Clubs, both artistic, social, literary and sporting. (one of the founding members of the still extant Scarab Club; member of Prismatic, Players , and Detroit Athletic clubs). A typical course for businessmen – you become part and parcel of your monied clients interests, whether it be sporting, hunting, fishing, or theater and music. They are the places where the social classes mix and trade of business. It is not different today
Clark obviously traded on his personality and somewhat artistic dress as a slightly bohemian figure, but at the same time knowledgeable in his conversations in art, literature, theater and all the accepted tenents of being a cultured person. In 1916 Clark moved again to the corner of Cass & Putnam, another combination home/studio which continued to his death in 1937. This house was situated at what is now the southwest corner of the Detroit Main Library block. His building having two address; the studio being 5108 Cass Av., while the residential portion used the 114 Putnam address. His second wife Mary was still at the address when she died in 1946.
Clark never lost his interest in fine art painting, and in later years turned more and more toward that aspect of his life. It was obviously this is where he found the most personal artistic pleasure. Photography was also enjoyable to Clark, but it was also his day to day business… painting was his much loved avocation. He seems to have excelled in studies of nature, especially birds. A recent sale on Ebay of one of Clark’s oil’s of two ducks in flight bore a tag on the back as coming from the estate of Henry Ford II.
Clark’s fondness for nature led him to purchase a large farm of about 400 acres plus in the north, on Manitoulin Island in Canada. In 1924 he celebrated the completion of a vertical log home which he called “Camp MaryAnne” – Mary for his second wife, and Anne (or Annie) for his wife’s sister Annie Ward Foster, an inseperable trio for most of their years, according to various accounts. The camp is still in existance today under that name as a private summer vacation campground. The Clark’s and their visiting guests of Detroit businessmen and artisan-types are still talked about by old timers whose memories can bring them back to the heyday of Frank Scott Clark, 1924 to 1937. It was here that Clark reportedly photographed native indians and painted nature to his hearts content, unburdened by commerical considerations.
Much of what I have learned about Clark has come from published pieces, mainly Detroit newspapers. A lengthy piece in the Detroit News dated Sunday, June 19, 1919 gives a good broad overview (along with a portrait) of Clark’s life. Other smaller news pieces, many from “today’s birthdays” pieces in the Detroit News also fill in some of the particulars, as do the many obituary pieces. I suspect there are more articles to find but this is the initial recording for this website. And of course I must acknowledge Florence “Betty” LaFrey, F.S. Clark’s granddaughter – a spry 91 year-old “sparkplug” of a woman. Betty remembers her grandfather well, although visits were limited since her grandfather had divorced her grandmother. “He did have an eye for the ladies” she stated with some candor.
Because of the divorce Clark was somewhat socially absent from his first family for much of his life. And he had no children with his 2nd wife. Although some items were apparently donated to the Scarab Club, much of Clark’s personal paperwork and momentoes have disappreared. It seems safe to assume that his 2nd wife was not as interested in the perpetuation of her husband’s life’s work; her own agenda seems to have been to focus on her own past career as a dance teacher to the area’s rich and famous. An unfortunate set of circumstances to perpetuate his memory…
***************************
2023. Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau, Raymond Richard LaFrey, and Elizabeth Scott “Lizzy” (Hermann) Bowman. Photographs contributed by Raymond LaFrey (from the Florence Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirby) LaFrey collection) (son of Raymond Harry LaFrey & Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Kirby, grandson of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, great-grandson 0f Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips) and Lizzy Bowman (daughter of Kenneth Gray Hermann & Marian Scott Kirby, granddaughter of Frank Eddy Kirby & Florence Mildred Clark, and great-granddaughter of Milo Bailey Kirby & Alice Gertrude Phillips). In 2011, cousins Ray and Lizzy reunited after having not seen one another since they were kids, meeting me at Margaret (Kellogg) Andersen’s (daughter of Leo Yates Kellogg, granddaughter of Milo Bailey Kellogg) home in Vacaville, California, along with Margaret’s half-sister, Heather (Kellogg) Reed. It takes a village to raise the dead, and between the lot of us, we did a good job!
Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.