Frank, Nathan, 1852-1931

Nathan Frank (February 23, 1852 – April 5, 1931) was an American businessman and politician. He notably served as U.S. Representative from Missouri's 9th congressional district from 1889 to 1891. Frank was Missouri's first Jewish congressman.

Born in Peoria, Illinois, Frank attended the public schools of Peoria and St. Louis before matriculating at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri and Harvard Law School, graduating from the latter in 1871. He was thereafter admitted to the bar and commenced practice in St. Louis in 1872. The Republican candidate for Missouri's 9th district in 1886, he unsuccessfully contested the election of Democratic incumbent John M. Glover to the Fiftieth Congress.

In 1888, Frank was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress and served one term, declining to be a candidate for renomination in 1890. After leaving office, he founded and owned the St. Louis Star and served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896. Frank also served as vice president of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 1910, 1916, and 1928. He died in St. Louis on April 5, 1931 and was interred in Mount Sinai Cemetery there. His memory is enshrined by the Nathan Frank Memorial Bandstand in Forest Park, St. Louis.