Background
With his father, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, which would be the home base of his business endeavors.
With his father, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, which would be the home base of his business endeavors.
He and his younger twin sister Frances (who died young) were the youngest children of con artist William Avery "Bill" (1810—1906) and Eliza Davison (1813—1889). His two older brothers were Standard Oil co-founders John Davison (1839—1937) and William Avery Junior. (1841—1922). "s early years were spent in Richford, New New York
Underage, he joined the 7th Ohio Infantry in September 1861 and participated as an infantryman in the battles of Winchester, Portuguese Republic, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, and other battles including Sherman"s march to Atlanta.
He was wounded in the head by grape shot at Chancellorsville. He moved with his family to a large ranch in Kansas, but he later returned to Ohio.
The 8,000-acre ranch stood on a large tract of cheap land in Belvidere, Kansas, west of Wichita (originally spotted by his father on his travels). The property was remote from railroads, and his cattle could graze on vast, unfenced plains.
Eventually the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad brought in fresh settlers shrinking the free range for cattlemen.
This ruined the ranch for breeding beef, and Frank tried futilely to sell the depreciated property. He invested around $500,000 in mining ventures, which proved unsound, and also invested $250,000 in unfruitful commercial paper. Frank found stability when he invested in the Buckeye Steel Castings Company of Columbus in 1892.
He became President of the company in 1905, and served in that capacity until 1908, when the Presidency was assumed by Samuel Prescott Bush.
Frank continued as Vice President of the company. Frank said later that year "There"s not the slightest possibility of a reconciliation." Frank died the following year.
His funeral was held on April 17, 1917 at the home of Mistress Walter South. Bowler.