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Frank Van Vleck Burbank

Image of Frank Burbank
Birth Date: December 25, 1864
Death Date: March 22, 1939
Age at Death: 75

Marriages

Lillian Horton Colburn Burbank - April 28, 1898

in Leadville, Colorado.

Burial Details

Cemetery Name: Greenwood Cemetery
Cemetery Location: Red Cliff, Colorado

Obituaries

Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - March 24, 1939

F. V. BURBANK DEAD. We learned shortly before going to press with the paper yesterday of the death of Frank V. BURBANK at his home in Red Cliff on Wednesday evening. Mr. BURBANK was one of the veteran merchants of Red Cliff, having been in business there for close to fifty years when he was forced to retire two years ago on account of ill health. We were unable to learn what the funeral arrangements were at the time of going to press.

Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - March 31, 1939

EAGLE COUNTY LOSES A TRUE CITIZEN. When death called Frank V. BURBANK on March 22, 1929, Red Cliff, Battle Mountain and Eagle county lost one of their greatest boosters, a foremost citizen and great sportsman.
Frank BURBANK was our ideal of an American citizen. He lived a normal life always; married a good American woman; raised a large family; was always foremost for every civic improvement; took an active part in public and political affairs; was devoted to his family above all things; was intensely patriotic in his love of country; and was a follower of all clean sports--what more could be asked of an American citizen?
Born in Bitlitz, Turkey, Asia Minor, of missionary parents, Dec. 25, 1864, his parents brought him back to his home land to educate him in the public schools of Herndon, Va. He came west when but 16 years of age and lived on a ranch from 1880 to 1891. He lived in Denver for a time after leaving Nebraska, engaging in the street paving contracting business, and in 1895 he went to Red Cliff and made Eagle county his home from that time until his death.
The young BURBANK, vigorous and full of life, soon entered in the affairs of the community which he had elected to make his home with a whole heart. He engaged in mining for a time and then went into the mercantile business, and for a quarter of a century was a leader in mercantile and civic affairs of the county. He was a partner in the firm of Dumont and Co., grocers, of Red Cliff; from 1903 to 1906 was a member of the firm of Brown & Burbank Grocery Co., when he purchased his partner's interests and, until he retired in 1936, on account of ill health, was continuously in the general mercantile business in Red Cliff, Gilman and Minturn.
In civic affairs, he was very active, good schools really being his main hobby. He served as a member of the Red Cliff school board, and as its president, was instrumental in establishing a high school in Red Cliff. He served as a member of the Eagle County High School Board and was one of the prime movers for the establishment of the county high school at Gypsum.
He served his town first as marshal, then on the board of trustees, and as mayor, always striving to improve the community. He was intensely loyal to the town and in last county seat contest, when Red Cliff lost the seat of county government, he led the fight against removal and was instrumental in carrying the fight to the state supreme court where he represented his home before the high tribunal.
In politics he was a Republican, loyal to his party, as he was to any movement to which he once lent his energies. He was his party's candidate for the state legislature and served the county as a commissioner for one term.
During the World War, he enlisted his services as a Four Minute speaker in the Liberty Bond drives and was very effective in arousing the patriotic feeling of his fellow citizens. He was a great booster for improved highways, and was one of the original promoters of the Shrine Pass project.
He was a member of Eagle Lodge No. 43 A.F.& A. M. at Minturn; a past noble grand of the Odd Fellows; and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America lodge.
His life really centered around his family, and there was no sacrifice he would not make to further their well being.
Married to Lillian Horton COLBURN, April 28, 1898, in Leadville, Colo., the couple lived a most satisfactory life until death parted them a few days ago.
Seven children were born to the couple and the death of four of these loved ones was the cause of great sorrow to both the parents. Durbin C. and Dorothy Frances died within a few weeks of each other in 1915; Frank L., the second son, died in 1921, just on reaching young manhood, and Carol C., the youngest daughter, in 1932.
Surviving are the widow, Lillian BURBANK, Red Cliff; the oldest son, Warner V., an employee of the Public Service Corporation of Colorado, Denver; Eleanor K. McIlnay, Rifle; and Rosella L. BURBANK, an instructor in the Red Cliff high school.
Funeral services were attended by a great gathering of old friends at Red Cliff Sunday afternoon, the service being read by Rev. James McINNES, Presbyterian minister and a close friend of the deceased for two score years. The Red Cliff Odd Fellows lodge conducted its impressive service before the bier and at the cemetery the Masonic order held its burial service as the body was laid to rest beside the ones he loved so well and who had preceded him to that haven of mystery--Death.

Who's Who in Colorado, 1938 page 429

Eagle County, by Alice T. Bacon, p. 427-436.
BURBANK, Frank V., Retired; b Bitlitz, Turkey, Dec 25, 1864; ed Herndon, VA pub sch; m Lillian Norton Colburn, Apr 1898 in Leadville, Colo; s Warner V; d mrs Eleanor K McILNAY, Rosella L; 1880-1891 farming, ranching Custer Co, Neb; 1891-1895 paving bus, Denver; 1895-1901 mining etc Red Cliff; 1901-1903 co-owner dumont & co Grocery; 1903-1906 co-owner Brown & Burbank Grocery Co; 1906-1936 owner, opr F W burbank, furnishings store, Red Cliff; 1917-1936 pres F V Burbank Merc, Minturn; past mbr Eagle Co HS bd, instrumental in locating HS site at Gypsum; past pres bd, Eagle Co Sch Dist No 1, instrumental in est Red Cliff Hs; influential in prom new highways to eastern slope; past Co Commr; former Rep cand Colo Legis; Four-Minute Speaker during war bond drives; Red Cliff rep Colo Sup Ct during Co seat litigation; influential in promoting Shrine Pass Pilgrimage; former Mayor, Town Marshal, Red Cliff; Modern Woodmen; IOOF (past noble grant), AF&AM No 43 Minturn; C of C; Presb; Rep; hobby, sports; res, Red Cliff.

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