Frank Dale

Frank Dale (November 26, 1849 – February 10, 1930) was the second Chief Justice of the Territorial Supreme Court of Oklahoma Territory, serving from 1893 until 1898. Born in Somonauk, Illinois, he pioneered both in Kansas and Oklahoma, becoming a well-known attorney in both states. Both the towns of Andale, Kansas, and Dale, Oklahoma, are named for him. In 1893, he settled in Guthrie, which became the capital of Oklahoma Territory, and was named Governor of the territory. Although originally a Republican, sometime after moving to Oklahoma, he became a Democrat. He continued to live in Guthrie until his death in 1930.

Early life Frank Dale was born on a farm in Somonauk, Illinois, DeKalb County, Illinois on November 26, 1849, to Frank Dale Sr. and Mariah (née Webster). where he received a public school education and graduated from the high school at Leland, Illinois. Both parents had emigrated from England. His father, who had become an adult in Pennsylvania, and had moved first to Michigan, then to Illinois, where he became a farmer and a merchant grain dealer, was a part-time Methodist minister. Frank, Jr. was the next to youngest of eight children born into the family. Frank, Jr. enlisted in the Union Army at age 14. His military career was cut short because his father called on Governor Yates to promptly discharge his under-age son.

Life in Kansas In 1871, he left Illinois, established a homestead in Sedgwick County, Kansas, where he taught school and studied law for three or four years, until he was admitted to the bar in 1880. From January, 1881 until early 1885, he served as Assistant County Attorney for Sedgwick County. Then he moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he continued to study law until he passed the bar exam. He practiced law until 1885, when President Grover Cleveland appointed him as Registrar of the Wichita Land Office. (The experience he gained in handling land disputes would prove extremely valuable a few years later, after he moved to his legal practice before the land office in Guthrie after the Land Run.)

On April 10, 1885, Dale married Miss Martha Wood.

Death and legacy Frank Dale died in Guthrie, Oklahoma on February 10, 1930, and, after an elaborate funeral in the Presbyterian church of Guthrie, is buried in the Summit View Cemetery there, along with many other well-known Oklahoma pioneers. His wife, Martha, did not survive him long, for she died in June, 1930, and is buried beside him. The couple had no children.

During World War II, the US Merchant marine had a ship "SS Frank Dale". She sailed under charter to the North Atlantic & Gulf Steamship Company.