FRANKE, ROLAND CONRAD AND VEDA (HAM)

by Paul and Marion Isom

Entry F146 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Roland Conrad Franke, affectionately
known as "Ole" by all his friends, was born
September 3, 1891 at La Grange, Texas to
Paul C. and L. (Schudemangen). In the fall
of 1872, he moved with his parents to El
Campo, Texas where he graduated from high
school. In 1913 he went to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin to attend an electrical engineering
school. He came to Mullen and the Sandhills
in the fall of 1914. At that time main street
in Mullen was shin deep in sand. The village
had a small direct current lighting system
which operated beneath what is now the
office of the Mullen Co-op. The stockyards
were within what is now the city limits. There
were several hitching posts on main street
and the livery barn was going strong.

Ben French recalls meeting Ole about 1915
when his car became high-centered near their
house and Ole walked to the house to get a
shovel. Ben went with him and brought back
the shovel and Ole gave him a quarter. Quote
Ben, "I would have given him a quarter just
to get that close to a car, as there weren't
many in the country at the time."

In October 1915 R.C. Franke, auto expert
at the T.P. Wood garage announced in the
local paper that he had the agency for the
Buick automobile and those contemplating
purchasing a car would do well to interview
him. "Ole" was a good machinist and there
was no part of a gas wagon he didn't know.
Something new was about to be added
though, a few progressive citizens owned
Model T Fords, Buicks, and Hupmobiles.
These few autos required considerable main-
tainence and machines were "Ole's" special-
ity. At that time one mechanic per car was
about the proper ratio for satisfactory moto-
ring. He then went into the business of
repairing cars and there was plenty to keep
him busy. He had the building known as the
Greathouse Building, now known as Macke's
Store, built in 1919 and operated it as a
garage and continuing his Buick agency. One
year he rated second in the number of Buicks
sold in the state of Nebraska.

In November 1915, R.C. Franke and T.P.
Wood of the City Garage figured out a
profitable investment in the installation of an
electric light plant in Mullen. Ole installed
the first electric light plant in the basement
of the Mercure Hardware store, a one cylin-
der diesel engine. It furnished lights for the
businesses on main street and was main-
tained by Pete and Glen Boyer. At one point
in the development of the municipal light
plant, he and Roy Tucker were "running" the
light plant, as the entire village board had
resigned, leaving an untidy, financial situa-
tion and a plant not ready to provide efficient
service. Ole ran the plant, climbed poles,
strung wire and Roy Tucker operated the
office until the light plant again became a
smooth running machine. Then in August
1917, Ole installed a new 20-horse power
Fairbanks oil engine which would make
"juice" for the patrons in the future.

To add to the comfort of his patrons, J.J.
Motl had Ole install an electric fan in his
business (the first in Mullen), Mr. Motl
extended an invitation to his patrons to step
in and "cool off" at any time and enjoy a dish
of Harding's ice cream.

The shin deep sand in main street bothered
Ole and his support and effort helped to get
the block and half of cement paving on main
street.

The Fire Department for Mullen was
formed at the second meeting of the Volun-
teer Fire Co. in April 1917 with Roy McCully
chosen as chief and R.L. Franke as his
assistant.

Ole served a short time in the army
(October 1918 to December 1918) during
World War I as an instructor in the Engineer
Corps at Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ole soon became interested in earth mov-
ing business and in 1923, his first dragline was
delivered to Mullen, the beginning of Franke
Construction Company (see story in the
Business section). Ole lived to see his four
man company expand to as high as sixty
employees during the construction season in
the next twenty-six years.

Ole married Veda Nellie Ham October 22,
1917 at Mullen. Veda was born February 18,
1894 in Grant County, Nebraska, to Steve
and Florence Naupin, who died April 10, 1971
in North Platte, Nebraska. Ole and Veda had
an infant daughter born July 22, 1919 but she
died the same day. Ole and Veda lived in their
beautiful new home which is at present the
Glen Coble residence.

Ole's hobbies were photography and flow-
ers and his home and yard reflected his
interests.

Just before his death he incorporated
Franke Construction Company, leaving one
half interest of the company to three em-
ployees; Charles Folk, Paul Isom, and Wayne
Fitzgerald and half to his wife, Veda. Ole died
March 4, 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska after a
short illness. Interment was in the Cedarview
Cemetery at Mullen.