Celia Esselburn Frank, 1864-1930

When Celia Esselburn Frank died in 1930, the Beacon Journal called her a "pioneer Akron social worker." That seemed an apt description. What made her different was how she worked. She had no affiliation with any charitable organization or agency in the city. She just did her relief work on her own.

Celia Esselburn was born near Lodi. Her father was Lewis Esselburn, a Medina County merchant. Before she married, Esselburn was a telephone operator staffing Akron's first exchange. She was married to J.C. Frank, an Akron attorney.

Once she married Frank, she started helping the needy of the city. Her home became a kind of clearing house for used clothing for the needy.

According to the Beacon Journal, Frank worked under the direction of the Probate Court. She distributed used clothes to those in want. In reporting her death, the Beacon Journal said, "Social work was her great aim in life through her efforts, happiness was left where squalor and want was found."

Frank was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist.

--Kathleen L. Endres