FRANK WILLIS

Death in St. Mary's Hospital here yesterday morning, after a long illness,
of Frank Wills(sic). As a baby he was saved from the steamship "Niagara" when
it burned near Sheboygan. Both his parents were lost along with most of
the other passengers, and no one knew who he was so he was given a new
name, that of Frank Wills. He lived here for many years but for the last
three was a patient in the above named hospital at city expense. The
deceased must have been over 60 years old.
Der Nord Westen, 23 Jan. 1908
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The burial of the late Frank Willis will be held at Evergreen cemetery tomorrow
morning at 10 o’clock. Relatives from abroad will reach the city on the 9:37
C. & N.W. train from the south and the party will proceed at once to Evergreen
where the remains are now in the vault.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, January 24, 1908 P. 2
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[cause: toles dorsolis]
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The adopted child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Willis died last week.
Manitowoc Pilot Thursday, June 24, 1880
(From 1880 census Manitowoc 2nd Ward taken June 3, 1880:
Frank Willis age 39; Georgiana age 34; Willie adopted son 2/12 mo./
There is an unk. child buried June 8, 1880 in section L who may be
this child. See list of unk. children listed under CHILD)
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News article;
THURSDAY DATE OF GREAT WRECK
Str. Niagara With 50 or More Lives Lost; Fifty Years Ago this Week
Thursday, September 27, was the anniversary date of one of the greatest disasters known to Lake Michigan, the loss of the steamer Niagara which burned off Port Washington September 27, 1856, fifty years ago, with fifty or more lives lost, the exact number never having become known. Frank Willis, of this city, is a survivor of the disaster, having been picked up after drifting for hours on a gangplank of the steamer on which he had been placed. Willis' parents, who were passengers on the boat were lost.
Local interest in the anniversary date is further quickened by the fact that Capt. Sweeney of this city, who in that day commanded the steamer, Traveller, attempted the rescue of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated steamer and succeeded in saving a few. The Traveller, then engaged in carrying wood, was at Port Ulao to take on a cargo and sighted the wreck and put off to the rescue. It was impossible to do anything to save the burning boat though a line was attached in an endeavor to tow the vessel to shore, but the line was burned and the boat sunk. Twenty-five or thirty of the passengers and crew were taken aboard the Traveller and saved. It is reported that John B. Macy of Fond du lac, a passenger, jumped from the burning boat into a life boat which was pulled from the wreck, capsized it with the result that he himself with the party in the boat, lost their lives.
The Niagara was in service between Collingwood, Canada and Chicago and left Sheboygan at 2 on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1856 enroute to the latter city. Passengers and crew aboard numbered, it is estimated, 100 or more and but thirty were saved. Frank Willis, then a boy, was enroute from Collingwood to Chicago with his parents and was picked up with another of the boat's passengers after drifting on the lake on a plank. The boy had a locket, inscribed with the name Frank Willites and this is his right name. Willis located relatives residing near Fond du Lac after he attained his manhood but has always continued his residence here. The Niagara was a Canadian Steamer.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Fri., Sept. 28, 1906
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Marriage of Frank/Georgia Willis
Married at the residence of the bride, on Saturday morning, Oct.30, by T.G. Olmstead, County Judge, Mr. F.W. Willis and Miss Georgia Toombs. The printers were remembered and join us in the wish that their future may be as happy as the wedding cake was delicious.
Manitowoc Tribune, Thurs., Nov. 4, 1875