Frank Hubbard--Printer, Mayor, Banker

Frank C. Hubbard rests quietly in Greenhill Cemetery now. It is just weeks shy of seventy-nine years ago that he passed away.

He was born in New London, Indiana in 1864. Determined to establish a career for himself, he registered at Drury College in Springfield, MO in the fall of 1886. He established the "Drury Mirror" as an independent newspaper because he needed money. This newspaper that financially supported his educational effort is still being printed.

After a year in school, Frank went to the Indian Territory on an exploratory trip. He found employment during the summer of 1887 harvesting Indian grass out of the tall grass prairie. The grass was shipped to market for livestock feed.

He called upon his publishing experiences at the Drury Mirror when he found employment at the "Indian Chieftan" in Vinita, Indian Territory. He worked there as a job printer who printed notices, blank forms and miscellaneous sideline items in the newspaper office.

The following spring, he went south to Muskogee with his savings intact. His arrival in the largest community in Indian Territory coincided with Dr. Leo Bennett's desire to purchase the Indian Journal and move the press from Eufaula.

Frederick Severs owned much of the land in downtown Muskogee. He was not interested in selling a building lot on credit.

Joseph Sondheimer was more supportive of the newspaper effort. He sold the lot on the southwest corner of Main and Okmulgee for $100 in future advertising. On this site, Bennett and Hubbard established the "Muskogee Phoenix" newspaper.

The first newspaper issue appeared on February 16, 1888. Barely twenty-three years old, Frank ran the press and wrote some of the articles. Hubbard stepped up from Bennett's assistant to the position of business manager the next year.

Young Hubbard was present in March of 1888 in the upstairs room of their company building when the Indian Territory Press Association was born. This organization and one later established in Oklahoma Territory joined together to form the current Oklahoma Press Association. He was present again in the same room in 1889 when the US Federal Court held its first session in Indian Territory.

Frank Hubbard continued to expand into the Muskogee community. In 1892, he became the postmaster. He held this position for three years.

The steady income from his federal job allowed him to purchase stock in the First National Bank and Trust Company, then the only bank in Indian Territory. Before too many years passed, he became a board member. In 1908, the board elected him as bank president.

His eligibility for the position of bank president partially rested upon his performance as city mayor in 1906 and 1907. His pro-business agenda during his public service tenure insured his candidacy in the eyes of the bank's board of directors.

It also helped that Hubbard, who remained single most of his life, took time to support many civic activities in the community. His web of friendships reached far and wide across the county.

In mid-life, Frank began expanding his financial reach, too. By the time of his death, Frank Hubbard served as president of banks in bot