William T. Lank

  General Notes:

8 June 1900 Census for Bridgeville, Sussex Cnty, DE: William T. Lank, 30, single, bookkeeper, b. May 1870 DE, as were parents.
22 April 1910 Census for Sussex Cnty, DE: William T. Lank, 39, book keeper in canning house, married 8 yrs; Maude E., 39, b. OH (father b. DE and mother b. OH). William's great-grandfather, Philip Graham (with wife Elizabeth Knowles), was Maude's grandfather (with wife Ann Short).
10 Jan. 1920 Census for Seaford, Sussex Cnty, DE: William T. Lank, 49, box mill manufacturer, b. DE as were parents; Maude E., 48, b. OH (father b. DE and mother b. OH).
21 April 1930 Census for Seaford, Sussex Cnty, DE: William T. Lank, 59, insurance agent, married 29 yrs; Maude, 59.

"Wm. T. Lank was educated in private schools in Seaford. At age 18 he began teaching in the district schools of Sussex County and taught for six years. Then he became a bookkeeper for E. C. Kass, who conducted a canning business, and remained here for 21 years. In 1915 he became identified with the Allen Packaging Co. as secretary-treasurer. He served 11 years on the Seaford School Board, 3 years of which he was president. Since 1924 he was connected with Incorporated Canners as secretary-treasurer and manager. He was a director of First National Bank of Seaford, and for many years was a director of the old Sussex National Bank. He was past president of the Terminal Hotel of Hamlet, NC. He also owns considerable property, much of which comprises farmlands in this section of DE, there being a total of seven farms of 973 acres, and is interested in the banking and hotel businesses. A descendant of an old and well established family of this section, Mr. Lank is one of the really substantial members of this community. He is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Kiwanis Club, Methodist Protestant Church. He is considered as one of the outstanding business men of Seaford and vicinity and one of the really progressive men in this community. He is regarded with respect and esteem by those with whom he comes in contact in his business, civic and social relationships. In addition to his other work, Mr. Lank is interested in the fire insurance business, representing Kent County Mutual Fire Insurance Company" (W. L. Beven, 1929). The 1880 Census lists Will as 'crippled' in his father's household. The 1930 Census lists his occupation as insurance agent. Uncle Will wore special shoe and used crutches.

William married Maude E. Graham, daughter of William W. Graham and Sarah C. Bobenmoyer, on Jan 8, 1902. (Maude E. Graham was born on Feb 22, 1871 in Fairfield Twp., Butler Co., OH, died in 1960 and was buried in Seaford Odd Fellows Cmtry.)