Frank C. Wallower was one of the notable pioneer developers and operators of major lead and zinc mines in both Missouri and Oklahoma. He was the son of one of Joplin’s even earlier builders, Mr. Elias Zollinger Wallower, who came from Pennsylvania in 1890.
Frank married Marie Russert in 1906. She was born on July 11, 1882. She died at the home on December 21, 1920 after contracting a cold which later became complicated and culminated in acute blood poisoning. She was widely known throughout the city and was chairman of the cafeteria committee of the Y. W. C. A.
Frank married Marie Elizabeth Lambert in 1926. She was born on June 9, 1898. Her name was also Marie and she also died at the home. On March 14, 1929, she died of septic pneumonia after an illness of only 48 hours. She was socially prominent and a director of the Woman’s Club. She was active in the mining transactions of her husband and his associates. Marie had nearly completed work for a degree as a certified accountant before her premature death at the age of 30.
Frank was one of the organizers of the American Zinc Institute, was its national president in 1923 and served on the board of directors until 1956. He was a Legion of Honor member of the American Institute of Mining and Petroleum Engineering.
In 1925, Frank became general manager and one of the receivers of the Southwest Missouri Railroad Company. He liquidated the property in 1939 after operations were suspended. (See the A. H. Rogers House at 623 W. Fourth Street on the virtual tour.)
Frank was one of the organizers of the American Zinc Institute, was its national president in 1923 and served on the board of directors until 1956. He was a Legion of Honor member of the American Institute of Mining and Petroleum Engineering.
In 1925, Frank became general manager and one of the receivers of the Southwest Missouri Railroad Company. He liquidated the property in 1939 after operations were suspended. (See the A. H. Rogers House at 623 W. Fourth Street on the virtual tour.)
After closing out his mining interest in 1932, he organized the Tri-State Casualty Insurance Co. in Oklahoma, and in 1945 the Tri-State Fire Insurance Co.
In 1937, at age 54, Frank married his third wife, Juanita Hammonds (born in 1904), at the groom’s father’s house in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After the wedding, Juanita continued her position as manager of the Keystone Hotel in Joplin. Earlier she had modernized the hotel and placed it on a sound financial footing. Interestingly, Frank’s father founded and owned the Keystone, Joplin’s first major hotel. It was demolished under “urban renewal” in the late 1960s.
After closing out his mining interest in 1932, he organized the Tri-State Casualty Insurance Co. in Oklahoma, and in 1945 the Tri-State Fire Insurance Co.
In 1937, at age 54, Frank married his third wife, Juanita Hammonds (born in 1904), at the groom’s father’s house in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After the wedding, Juanita continued her position as manager of the Keystone Hotel in Joplin. Earlier she had modernized the hotel and placed it on a sound financial footing. Interestingly, Frank’s father founded and owned the Keystone, Joplin’s first major hotel. It was demolished under “urban renewal” in the late 1960s.
Side bar of Redell Motor Car Co.
In June 1916, Redell Motor Car Co., at 520 Virginia, printed an advertisement in the Joplin News Herald proudly listing the local men and women in the Tri-State District that owned a Cadillac. Next to each name was the city where they lived and their affiliation such as mine operator, clothing merchant, attorney, capitalist, etc. However, for the women on the list, Mrs. R. F. Campbell, Mrs. W. V. White, and Mrs. Nina M. Bryant, only the city where they lived was listed.
