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Francis "Frank" E. Lake was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1845. Not much is known about Frank, other than his military record and history of illness. He died in June of 1890 at the county hospital after a long struggle with consumption, and was buried with military honors in Porter Cemetery. He served in the 72nd Illinois Infantry, Company F, known as the Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, during the Civil War. Frank Lake served from 1862 to 1865. The infantry lost 242 men during its time in the war to disease and battle.
It is not known if Frank was ever married or had children. His military records state that when he was mustered in at 17, he was a farmer in St. Joseph, Michigan. He was single, and stood 5'5" with black hair and blue eyes. He had apparently contracted consumption during his service in the war. It is not known when he came to Phoenix, although an 1884 voter registration log was found with his name in it.
The sentiments of a newspaper reporter described his funeral procession as a "sad and pitiful cortege passing down Washington" in which 15 union veterans from G.A.R. followed stepping in time to the Death March. There were no other mourners. The reporter went on to say "No flag was half-mast, no secession in the busy rush of trade....not many seemed to know or care that one who bared his breast to the shock of war from which they today enjoy an undivided country" was being laid to rest, reflecting a sentiment that some shared that society was forgetting about those who had fallen for freedom.
Frank died in poverty, and was buried by his Union comrades. He is marked with a simple military marker.
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