FRANK ERBY
Frank was born in Meigs County, Tennessee right before the turn of the century. His father died when he was just 10 years old. He and his mother, Gertie and younger brother, Joseph, were forced to move in with his grandfather, Joseph Leffew.
Frank had very little schooling, so he could barely read or write, but later on in life he would use his great memory to help him.
When Frank was 14 years old, The Chattanooga City Directory show that he went to work at Chattanooga Knitting Mills in East Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1917 and worked there until 1927. It was there that he met Nellie Mae Frazier and married her. They eloped to Rossville, Georgia and were married.
Frank and Nellie's early married life were very tragic. There first son, John Henry, died at birth. Their first daughter died at seven months of age from Tomain poisoning, but Frank and Nellie went on to have six more children, three boys and three girls.
Frank was a truck driver for most of the places he worked and was known as a hard worker with a lots of friendsThe 1927 Chattanooga City Directory shows that he went to work at BOYCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY as a truck driver. In 1935 he went to work for Orange Crush as a truck driver and worked there until 1935.His friends called him"DAD"Erby.
On October 9, 1938 at 1:30 AM, Frank was killed by a train at the Boydston Station in East Chattanooga.The accident injured his brain and his arm was severed from his body. The Chattanooga Times Newspaper carried the story on the front page.
The Chattanooga Times shows that Frank was working at WHO Geren Grocery as a driver and clerk when he was killed. It was never answered as to why he was there at that time of night.
Frank and Nellie lived with Nellie's parents, James and Mary Frazier most of the time they were married.
Frank and Nellie lived at the following addresses:
1922 Resided at 2211 Searle Avenue
1922-1930Resided at 2711 Curtis Street
1933-1934Resided at Belle Arbor Avenue
1937-1938Resided at 2713 B. Orchard Knob
1938Resided at 2902 Curtis Street (time of death)