Marin County Fire Fighters

The photos you see below were taken on March 3, 2007.


We finally got to see firsthand the Fire Museum at the Larkspur Fire Department in Marin County, California. It is small, no doubt about that, but there is a wealth of treasures from a century gone by packed in there.

The red vest you see is one of the 'uniforms' firemen wore while working at the famous Rose Bowl dances. Many newspaper and magazine articles pertaining to the department as well as original photos are in the poster rack, shown with yellowing of time. These things and more really need to be copied and archived. Although accessible, storage methods of that time weren't safe.

Some of this is already on their own web page, but there are a lot of smaller things the Retired Fire Chief pulled out that are not. Here he shows us one of the membership ledgers from the 1920's with signatures and dues paid.


There are (magnetic) scrapbooks of more photos and memorabilia in these cabinets. We scanned the things that pertain to our line. There wasn't time enough to do everything.

Below, Frank's great-great grandson shows off with pride an authentic early 20th century fire hat, hard as can be, from the Larkspur Volunteer Fire Department. The very kind our Frank Ambrose wore, when they got them.

Just behind is a large group portrait taken about 1929 where I actually found Stephen Craviotto, wearing his own badge from the Corte Madera Volunteer Fire Department. Steve's stepson, Bud Winkler, followed suit and joined the CMVFD when he was old enough.

Little boys of all ages will always revere fire fighters...

Some of the beloved pictures we have that may also be found in this museum... and the actual badges worn by grampa Frank in his day...

 Frank is near the dog, this was 1909 in Larkspur, the yearly parade...

The one rounded bowler hat sits on top of Frank's head. This was their fire wagon that they pulled themselves!

 There's always a dog, isn't there...?

 Another parade photo...

 That's Frank in front there, Larkspur Carnival, back in the day...

 THIS IS THE ACTUAL DEDICATION OF THE LARKSPUR TOWN HALL IN 1913

William Ambrose

William Francis Ambrose was the only son of Frank and Catherine Ambrose.

He met and married Frae Bones and had two daughters with her before he left for the Army and Hawaii (not sure what happened or in what order) In Hawaii he met Margaret and married her, having a son and presumably never leaving the island again. I'd like to share a letter he sent home in the thick of the Pearl Harbour incident... The first image is the beginning and the end, just because of the way he wrote it...

Benjamin Franklin Stewart

Benjamin was born to John Morgan Stewart and Sarah Ann Jones December 22, 1866 in Perry Township, Johnson County, Arkansas.
He married Mary Alice Cindle, daughter of David and ?, who was also born in Arkansas. (these are my mother's great-grandparents)

Benjamin and Alice lived in Indian Territory at the turn of the century, in the Cherokee Nation, as a matter of fact.

The 1900 census lists:

LINE 27--#24 Stewart, Benjamin F- Head of House, White Male, Born December 1865,age 34, married 13 years, Born in Arkansas, Father born in Virginia, Mother born in Tennessee. Occupation, Farmer, not unemployed last year, Can read, write, and speak English, renting farm 32 on the farm schedule.

LINE 28-- Mary A,
wife, white female, born May of 1876?, age 30, married 13 years, had 5 children,
3 of which are living. Born in Arkansas, Father and Mother both born in Arkansas. Can read, write, and speak English.

LINE 29-- John P, son,
white male, born March 1890, age 10, single. 2 months or years at school. Can
read, write, and speak English.

LINE 30-- Robert L, son, white male,
born July 1892, age 7, single. 2 years or months at school.

LINE 31--
Vera V, daughter, white female, born February 1895, age 5, single

Oral tradition in the family says he was an "Indian Counter" at that time. I believe the technical term was Indian Agent, and it was a government position. Probably more like an ongoing census. I bet it wasn't easy. This subject is open to research if there's any takers...

Not long after that census, the family moved to California. For about 35 years he was a Guard at notorious Folsom Prison. He actually worked there twice. He was first appointed on October 27, 1904 as a guard under Warden Archibald Yell. He quit at some point, probably over a hard-headed warden's ideas of how things should be run. "If you don't like it, there's the door!" When a new warden was appointed (I guess there were others who didn't like that particular warden's ways...) the Honorable Campbell E. Beaumont recommended him and Ben was re-appointed under Warden J. J. Smith on October 15th, 1927. Below is his staff photo from 1927.

In those days, the only uniforms were on the 'bad guys' and the staff wore tan or dark suits with a vest and perhaps a fedora hat. They all carried a lead-tipped oak cane, some were also armed. One resounding "tap" of the cane was a warning, two meant "get moving- MARCH", and, as one might expect, it could deliver a pretty efficient lambasting to an inmate out of line. Great-granddaughter Janice remembers he kept a talking bird, some kind of colorful parrot in his office, which brought home some very colorful language...

I don't imagine Benjamin was the kind of guy often mistaken for a doormat...

His Last Will and Testament mentions:

I, BENJAMIN F. STEWART, of the age of 89 years, a resident of the County of San Joaquin, State of California, being of sound mind and memory and not acting under duress, fraud, menace or undue influence of any person whatever, hereby revoking any and all wills by me heretofore made, do declare the following to be my last will and testament; -- to-wit;

FIRST
I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my death as is conveniently possible.

SECOND
I hereby will and bequeath to my wife Mary Alice Stewart all the property that i may die possessed, both real and personal, and should she predecease me then the same as follows; -
To my daughter Vera V. Lynch a life estate in my home property in the City of Manteca, California, known as 737 Nevada St., so long as she desires to reside
therein.

THIRD
Subject only to the life estate in the real property described above, to my children in equal shares and their children by representation, I hereby will and bequeath all the property that I may die possessed, both real and personal, of whatever nature or wherever situate.

FOURTH
I declare said children and heirs to be as follows; My son Robert L. Stewart, my daughter Vera V. Lynch, my son Harry O. Stewart, my daughter Marylee Davis and my grandchildren, daughters of Johnnie Pearl Fennel (or Bennel?); Vivian McKenzie, Cleo Davadian and Ruth Sward.

FIFTH
I hereby nominate and appoint my daughter Vera V. Lynch as and for the executrix of this, my last will and testament, and direct that she may act without bond.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this __5th__ day of May,
1955.

BENJAMIN F. STEWART (signature)

He passed away June 5, 1955 in the Modesto, CA area. He was buried at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno, California.

Janice also remembers:

About the first week of September, 1954, Harold and I went to visit Gr. Grampa and Gramma Stewart and their daughter, Vera (whom I called Aunt Vera because she was my GREAT aunt) near Manteca - or whatever town they lived in when Gr. Grampa died. I'll have to check on the towns' name. Anyway, Vera opened the door and welcomed us in. Alice Stewart always had a glare in her eyes it seemed; she looked at me and then walked into the kitchen.

I was directed towards the bedroom where Gr. Grampa was in bed. As soon as he saw me his eyes just lit up and he had a big smile on his face. He said "Janice, oh my sweet little Janice, I'm so glad to see you!" We visited for quite awhile.

Vera said he was often "naughty" and would get out of bed and eat things he wasn't supposed to from the refrigerator. (he had diabetes) But he was a sweetie pie for sure. Now Alice Cindle Stewart always loved Jeanette, but she didn't seem to have much friendliness in her eyes for me or Beverly. Maybe I was imagining it.
Vera would always french-braid my hair and Beverly's hair when she visited Bampa and Mamma in their country home outside Placerville, Ca in El Dorado County.

Some more links about Folsom Prison,

The Government Page, Touring, Pay Rates at the turn of the century, riots, history, etc... Some of my research attempts - the warden at San Quentin and the National Archives in San Bruno...

MANY THANKS to the people of the Folsom Prison Museum, run by retired guards and volunteers who have never met me but know me by name now. I am especially anticipating the book Lt. Jim Brown will be putting out on the history of Folsom Prison and it's staff. He will be considered the authority on the matter in no time at all, he certainly helped our research.

Golden Gate National Cemetery

If you've ever driven along Highway 280 near the San Francisco International Airport, you've undoubtedly noticed the Golden Gate National Cemetery. It's size and immaculate rows upon rows of white headstones make it somewhat intimidating and a sober reminder of all the servicemen who don't make it home... and those who do...
The address is 1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno, CA 94066

The San Bruno BART is reasonably close by.

Previously, the only part of our clan we knew resting there was :

GEORGE WINKLER (son of Henry and Caroline, brother of Phillip, etc.)
Born January 28, 1892, died May 3, 1953
Was a wagoner in the Wagon Supply Company during World War I.
63rd Infantry 11th Division (24109 is another associated number)

I found him some time ago through http://www.interment.net/
Many beautiful photos of this cemetery are available at Indospectrum.com

We have since found out (in 2007) that we have more "family" here. Family relationships are yet to come.

Howard, Robert James, (son of Thomas Howard and Mary Ellen Waters) b. 09/17/1882, d. 11/08/1951, CHAUFFEUR 1ST CL SQ C AIR SVC FLYING SCH ROCKWELL FLD CALIF, Plot: R 3345, bur. 11/15/1951, *

Heglin, Philip B, b. 12/28/1901, d. 03/13/1993, S 2 USN, Plot: CA 976, bur. 03/18/1993, and

Heglin, Florence L, b. 12/17/1903, d. 05/30/1984, Plot: CA 976, bur. 06/01/1984,

Heglin, Harry Monroe, b. 01/04/1896, d. 03/20/1958, PFC USMC, Plot: T 4797, bur. 03/24/1958,

Heglin, Ray , b. 04/20/1899, d. 09/26/1977, PVT USA, Plot: T 4798, bur. 09/29/1977,

Heglin, Margaret , b. 05/11/1905, d. 08/20/1988, Plot: T 4798, bur. 08/24/1988,

Bradford Sharp

My grandfather's brother Cal had two sons. One, Calvin, died as a baby. The other, very much alive, is Bradford L Sharp.

He was born in Westwood, California just after the 1930 census, so he can't be found there, but he is mentioned in Ralph's writings. I'm just getting to know him more myself, today's the first time I ever spoke to him, so here goes:

Cousin Bradford's sleek and sexy love from back in the Air Force days can be found here.

more is yet to come!

Walter James Joos

"Retired Air Force Major Walter J. Joos, 75, died Thursday at his home in Coulterville..." begins Walt's obituary in an unknown newspaper.

Walter James Joos was born November 15, 1915 in San Francisco, California to Charles Joos and Eva McGarvie.

You can't help talking about the military and especially WWII when you talk about Uncle Walt. In his 21 years of service to the Army Air Corp/ Air Force (1940 to 1961) he earned 29 medals and decorations, including:

6 Bronze Stars
1 Silver Star
The Distinguished Flying Cross
The American Defense Medal
The Korean Medal
A Purple Heart

The obituary continues:

"The (Purple Heart was given) for injuries received August 11, 1944 flying a mission over Germany. After the hit, he was honored as Hero of the Week by the city of San Francisco for helping safely bring down his plane, “The Mammy Yokum”, a B-26 Marauder.

A Bombardier and navigator with the 98th Bombardier Squadron, he served the Strategic Air Command from November 1940 through January 1961.

He was the US Air Force representative at the dedication of a chapel in England commemorating the Americans killed during the Battle of Britain. When he retired, he bought property in Santa Rosa, where he lived until moving to Coulterville a year ago.

Major Joos, a member of the American Legion in Marin, was a counselor for Boys State for 10 years. He is survived by a brother, Charles M Joos of Concord; a sister, Lorraine Pierce of Coulterville, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Evelyn Flores of Coulterville.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 1 pm, the Lake Don Pedro Baptist Church. Heuton memorial chapel is in charge of arrangements. Donations in Major Joos’ memory may be made to the American Heart Association."

My father also remembers he flew with the 5th Air Force in B-17’s

There are several websites dedicated to Marauder history. Here is a picture of the Plane Nobody Loves, shown below is an actual photo of "Walt's plane", with successful bombing embellishments AND his name painted on the side. Walt himself is there front and center. (Notice the before-after shots...)

Personally, I remember going to his house in Santa Rosa when I was a little girl. Walt and my dad would reminisce (or whatever) in the house while my brother and I chiefly played outside in the back yard. The area was wooded and at the bottom of a hill. There was a nice patio with a few large aviary enclosures off to the right. I remember dozens of colorful birds in there, parakeets, finches, and probably canaries, too. Just beyond was a shed he kept the Trout Chow in, which was fun to toss out into the pond at the end of the day so you could see just how many fishy mouths there were to feed. Walt's pond was where I learned to love fishing. It helps when it's easy fishing to gain enthusiasm, and fishing from the wooden bridge, trying to out-cast my brother while catching glimpses of our 'prey' below added to the rich memories. I don't even know exactly how many times we were there, but I'll never forget it.
I remember once going in the house and seeing the walls covered with military memorabilia that made little sense to me at the time.

Rocky Fragassi

Let's begin with the facts, shall we?

Rocky may have been born with the name Roczi or Rocco. Most legal documents show Roczi. A Los Angeles City Directory of 1938 lists him as Rozzi.

The California Death Index has his date of birth October 14, 1922, the Social Security Death Index says he was born in 1920. The birth certificate of one of his children says 1920. His burial record says he was born in 1923, censuses imply 1921.

March of 2007 we finally found him in the California Birth Index by using wildcards for key letters in the spelling of Fragassi.

He was listed as Roccke Fragessi, born 10/14/1920.

I ordered his military records back in September 06, you can make your own requests by filling out the form online. Well, we got what we sent for! It was a little disappointing because there was nothing about Roczi's parents, but then again, I didn't realize I was only getting his separation papers, which means his discharge. You have to send away for medical and active duty service details separately.

What we now know, according to the discharge papers from the Department of the Navy, United States Government is:

Yet another birthdate, albeit more likely correct from the looks of the 1930 census. That is October 14, 1921, in Norwalk, California. He is/was a US citizen.

Caucasian, dark brown hair, brown eyes, 66.5" tall (5 foot 5 1/2), 135 pounds.

His service number was 563-27-54, was rated ET3 in the US Navy. His specialty was ET-1502-65 a Radio Mechanic II

Date of RE-enlistment was (his birthday) October 14, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA.

Home address at the time of reenlistment was 733 S. Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, he was married, with 8 years of grammar school, 4 years high school, 1 year of college. Majored in Electronics.

Discharged according to Article C-10308 BuPers Manual 1948 in USN SepAct SuBase, New London, Connecticut on September 26, 1951 after serving 2 years, 11 months, 12 days. He served 3 years, 8 months, 6 days PREVIOUSLY with 6 months foreign service/ at sea.

He had no decorations at this time.

He served mostly at the US Naval Receiving Station in Long Beach, CA. His last civilian employment, before reenlisting, was in the planning department of Western Electric Co., LA, CA- that was 1 year of employment.

His permanent address for mailing after his seperation was 1830 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles 33, California. We don't know whose address this is yet.

Little is known of him before he had children and their memories of him as an adult are too much for this blog. He had problems with monogamy, among other character flaws. We'll leave it at that for now.

Rocky and Lucy had six children together. At right is the informational part of a birth certificate for one of his children.

A few years after seperation from Lucy, he met and married Patsy Ruth Fain, having one son with her, and passing on two family names, before she left him. Anthony P. Fragassi never met his half-brother and sisters (at least, not yet) nor did he have any ties with his own father after his mother moved on with life. When adulthood reconciliations came along for most of his children, at various times, the general message was that he had moved on with his life and if they could not, he had no time for them.

Rocky met and married another woman, Dorothy Shue, who was born on the 21st of April 1918 in Missouri. She died in December of 1977, was cremated, and placed in a niche Rocky would later share with her at Glendale's Forest Lawn.

Rocky at that point only shared his home with his sister until he died. He left everything, it seems, to her. According to Angela, he said he would "take care of her".

We are looking for more information, especially positive or factual information...

Fragassi Mysteries

2005 - THE EARLIEST FRAGASSI we have record of so far is Francesco Fragassi, who came from Teramo, in the Abruzzi region of Italy, through Ellis Island in 1913. There are many other Fragassi's who came from Teramo through Ellis Island, as well. We had our suspicions that “Uncle Frank” was really Roczi’s father.

(We have since learned that, although this may still be related to our true Fragassi line, this is not close enough for us to trace right now. OUR Fragassi line first came from Bitritto, Bari in Puglia, Italy... See below.)

Let’s go backwards from Rocky, whom we definitely know. He spoke little, if anything at all, of his family. This has made things difficult, but not impossible in the research arena. Rocky’s sister, Angela, reluctantly spilled the beans in the one conversation I had with her years ago that her mother’s name was Frances and what cemetery Rocky was buried at. With those clues we were able to find his birth date and actual death date, we found him in the social security death index (10 years after the fact), and the California death index, in the 1930 census, and his US Navy records. The 1930 census led us right to Rocky’s real father, Mike Fragassi, then with that name to Ellis Island again, and to find more records. It's rather circular.

The Fragassi family history of the 20th Century is interesting to say the least. Michele "Mike" Fragassi (Rocky’s father) came to the States to stay in 1909, from the text of the 1920 and 1930 census schedules, which matches his Ellis Island records. We don’t know when exactly or how he came to California, let alone why. It can be speculated that the Railroad led him here. He worked on the Railroad as a gardener in one census. Ellis Island recorded at least two trips to the US for Michele Fragassi and the same for Francesco Fragassi, his cousin or brother. Also, one ship record names his father back home in Italy as "Rocco". Currently we're trying to figure out why there are two trips registered for apparently the same person within days of each other so as to make it seemingly impossible that he should arrive at the US once about the same time he should be leaving for another trip... Hmmm.. Verrry interesting... (See the January 1909 departure and February 1909 departure)

How did Mike meet his wife? What was their relationship like?

Mike thought enough of his father to name his son after him, and in spite of himself, in spite of what other reasons were given, Rocky named his eldest son after his father, as well.

Roczi had an “Uncle Frank” over sometimes, and played a deception that they were from Sicily and “connected” to the Mafia there. He always played the Italian card, never any other heritage.

Mike’s wife, Frances, actually respected the demand from Roczi that she have nothing to do with her own grandchildren (because her son was ashamed she was part Native American is all we can believe.) She had to be content with standing across the street to silently watch them play. How did she feel about that?

And what of all the unspeakable abuse toward spouses and children? Where did that begin?

No one seems to know what hardships were borne that created this terrible animosity toward one’s own family. Children certainly don’t ask for it, nor do they deserve it. How many generations have gone through it? Is it unique to those who immigrated to the US? Did it happen in the Old Country? Are there other lines with the same problem?

There has to be just beyond this family circle some healthy love and acceptance… This is one of the motives for research on this line, to find the part of the chain that is not corrupted.

And, going forward, don't we all have the choice of what kind of legacy to pass on to those who come after us?...

Amen.

see also Fragassi Mysteries, pt 2

Wayne W. Teague

Son of Eunice (Sharp) and Josh Teague was born on October 11, 1908 in Massac County, Illinois. The first of three articles we have on him is dated Thursday, October 15, 1981 and reads as follows:

WAYNE W. TEAGUE, 73, of 404 W. 6th St. died Oct. 11 at Western Baptist hospital.
Service was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. W.V. Aikins and the Rev. Art Gibbons officiating. Burial was to follow in Massac Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Teague is survived by his wife, Lena; sister, Ila Mae Ryan of O'Fallon, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Kay Teague of Troy, Mo. and Wanita Teague of Phoenix, Ariz.; four nephews; and one niece.

American Legion and VFW were to hold graveside rites.

Pallbearers are to be Paul Jones, O'Dell Baggat, Ralph Lyerly, Jack Rice, Raymond Smith and Julian Mizell. Music is to be provided by Alice Stevens, organist and singer.

The second article has a photo and a poem. We don't have the time period nailed down other than WWII. It reads:

DEDICATES POEM TO SON
(Photo caption says Sgt. Wayne Teague)
A poem written and composed by Eunice Teague and dedeicted to her son, Sgt. Wayne Teague, who is fighting with the First Army overseas:

"To My Son"

Two years have past and gone son
since we said our last goodbyes
and try as we would to keep them back
the tears flow from our eyes.

You gazed at me son, from head to foot
I could see it in your face
that you knew it would be many a day
before another dear embrace.

You left your Country and all you hold dear
to fight on foreign land-
just eighteen months ago now
to help Old Glory stand.

Only God can tell the agony
that has torn my soul since then,
but I am proud of you son,
and deep down I know
that boys like you will win.

The testing time has come, son,
our boys have begun to fall.
Oh God! Is our cry.
It's You and You alone
can protect now our precious all.

There's Cleo and Loren,
the salt of the earth,
who died to protect
the land that gave them birth.

Their light has gone out
as far as this life is concerned,
but for us and forever
it will shine on and on.

Dear Wayne, here's my prayer
that God's will shall be done
and my heart will beat with praise
if it's to bring you safe home.

The third article, with 10-11-81 written faintly at the top, reads:

OBITUARY
WAYNE WILLIAM TEAGUE, son of Josh and Eunice Sharp Teague, was born Oct. 11, 1908 at New Columbia, and departed this life Oct. 11, 1981 at the Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky.

On April 14, 1964, he was united in marriage to Lena Childers Eleam at Reno, Nevada.

Wayne lived most of his adult life in California. He was employed by the Lassen County Road Department for several years. After his retirement he moved back to Metropolis.

He is survived by his wife, Lena; one sister, Ida Mae Ryan and her husband, Hartley, of O'Fallon, Mo.; two sisters-in-law Juanita Teague and Catherine Teague; and several nephews and nieces.

His parents and two brothers preceeded him in death.

Wayne accepted Christ as his personal saviour several weeks ago and indicated many times during his illness that he was ready to go.

"I met the morrow's dawn with fear
and sought for strength divine.
I prayed till Christ himself drew near
and placed His hand in mine.
Together we passed through the day
without a fault or slip,
glad that I took the time to pray
for His companionship. "

Stephen Craviotto

Steve was only related to us by marriage and he and Alice Joos had no children together, but he is in so many old family pictures and... well he just keeps showing up- so we had to give him his own profile.

Stephen J. Craviotto was born August 1, 1892 in Varazze, Liguria, Italy which is near Genoa way up in the North. He became a citizen of the United States by virtue of his father's naturalization, around 1899. He was living at 2383 Greenwich St. San Francisco at the time of the 1917 draft for the (first) World War. He was single, had no dependants, no prior military experience, no exemptions. He was 24 years old, caucasian, medium build, medium height, brown hair, brown eyes, all limbs in good working order... (this info came from his draft registration card)

At the time of the 1920 census he was living as a boarder at the home of Alice Winkler. He is listed as a Vulcanizer for his occupation. We can only assume he had already served his time in the war by then. The pictures we have of him in uniform have no dates.

He had a car. The "family" went on a lot of outings; camping, visiting family, fishing... He appeared to be in good graces with Alice's parents, judging by the photos.

I was surprised and amused while looking for Frank Ambrose in some old Larkspur Fire Department photos at the Fire Museum when in a large group photo from 1923, there was smiling Steve with a badge on. The fire chief said not everyone in the photo was from Larkspur, and that the Corte Madera FD and others were probably in there. It made me wonder if the badge I have from the Corte Madera Volunteer Fire Department was my grandfather's or Steve's!

There was some confusion about Steve Craviotto and Travis Hale looking too similar in photos. Here are two mug shots as best as I can get, that's Steve with the grapes. Trav's hair is straight and receeding differently from Steve's hair, which is also very wavy. Another discerning point is body type and height. Trav is taller than Steve, I think, relative to Bud as an adult. Finally, you have to consider that while Steve was a few years younger than Alice, he was married to her, not Alice's youngest daughter, Renee! He was an adult in the photos with Renee as a child and adolescent.

Frank M Ambrose

Born in the Calabria region of Italy to Giovanni and Maria Ambrosio on March 24, 1872, we're only uncertain if he was born in the same town as his parents, which was Verbicaro. (The California Death Index has his month of birth as November!)It is recorded in the 1900 census that he came with his mother and brother to the US in 1881, he would have been about 9 years old. Below is a picture of him around the age of three, presumably taken in Italy.

In 1886, once they had been in California a little while, they had a lovely family portrait done. You can see this on his father's post.
Frank grew and married a California born girl named Annie. Her last name was said to be Zappieten, but the only surname like that we've found is Zappetini. They had two daughters together. Marguerita was born in July of 1893 and Gertrude was born, according to family records, in December of 1896. Some sources say she and Annie died during the childbirth. A document written by Frank many years later says his first wife died September 22 of 1898 and Gertie died in 1897. No mention of where they were buried. If they were buried in town, it will be very difficult to find any records of them. They lived, at least for a time, at 1220 Powell Street / Broadway. This is from an 1895 San Francisco city directory, page 194.
In the 1900 census it shows Frank had returned to live with his parents after the death of his wife and brought his daughter, Marguerita with him.
The picture below, cropped from a larger photo you'll see on Rose's page, was taken around 1903 with a new love, Catherine Agnes Howard. We're uncertain if they were married yet in this photo. (They married in San Francisco on February 11, 1903)
Just after their marriage, Frank began to show great dedication to working men's societies. The Woodmen of the World, King Solomon's Lodge of Freemasons, California Bodies (Scottish Rite), Ancient Egyptian order Sciots of the San Rafael Pyramid, Islam Temple (Shriners), Shrine Club of Marin and the Marin County Nobles Club to name a few. He was initiated as a Mason in October of 1904, passed on January 16 of 1905, and raised again in February of the same year. We have many reciepts of dues paid and identification cards from 1904 through the 1930's, and I'm sure these various organizations weren't all he participated in.
Frank and Catherine had only one daughter together (Alice) while living in San Francisco, after April 18, 1906, everything changed. The damages from the Earthquake and fires forced the Ambrose family into a camp of tents at the Presedio, and then to be herded onto a ferryboat like cattle bound for Marin County. They took the train to what was little more than a logging town, known as Larkspur.
While establishing their roots in a new town, Frank continued to be as active as he could in the Masonic society and his workers' union. He helped Larkspur organize their first Volunteer Fire Department, which began with one piece of equipment and no fire hose. He rented part of his paint store to the city for their meetings, became the second elected town Marshal, Constable, tax collector, and Fire Chief... "In those days everything was thrown in together." his daughter Alice was quoted to say in the book Larkspur: Past and Present.

With some of the town dignitaries... Can you spot him? Make sure you look at the Marin County Firefighters post, too!

The house at 11 Sycamore Avenue began as a small Victorian cottage built by Frank for his family around 1910. They outgrew it quickly it seems, and had to move to Locust Avenue, according to the Larkspur Historical Society book.

Today the integrity of the cottage has been lost due to extensive remodeling.

The Larkspur house they spent the most time in was at number 435 Magnolia Ave. This much larger house is right across the street from the City Hall and Fire Department- very convenient.
In the mid-1930's Frank and Catherine decided to move to Petaluma, and a 1942 letter home from their son, William, has their address at #3 -box 17 Sunny Slope Avenue.
Frank passed away in Santa Rosa (probably the nearest hospital) in 1945. He is buried at Olivet Memorial Park in Colma. After some hesitation, he was buried with his masonic ring and cap.