He was a sickly child with a weak heart, and because he could not engage in physical activity, he occupied himself by reading and inventing stories. His literary influences were fairy tales and British authors including Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. His parents did not like their son's fanciful nature, so they sent him to Peekskill Military School with the hopes of squelching it. Prior to that, Frank had been home schooled and was not used to the strict regiment and physical discipline. He suffered a heart attack.
Some sources say it was a nervous breakdown.
His parents withdrew him and allowed Frank to explore his creative talents. After Frank showed an interest in commercial printing, his father bought him a printing press. At fifteen Frank became the editor, writer, and publisher of his first newspaper, The Rose Lawn Home Journal . It was so successful that local stores bought advertising space. In 1873 he started another paper and a stamp collector magazine.