The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-29
Franz spERRY,s BoDy FOUND.
Man Who Had Held Many Public Jobs Was
Drowned In the East River.

The body Of Frank Sperry. "a well known
Republican politician o Brooklyn, who had
been missing for more than two weeks.
was found yesterday in the East River near
the East Nineteenth street pier. Ever
since May IS his friends had been searching
for him. and tia fact that not the slightest
clue to his whereabouts was obtained
either by those who were searching for him
or by his wife. who is i'll at the home Of
relatives at Pittsford. n. Y. IL was gener-
ally believed that he had met with harm.
IL was known that he was in a melancholy
mood for some time before he disappeared.
Worry over the illness Of his wife coupled
with the loss of his place as Corporation
Tax Commissioners early in the year brought
about his Respondent state.
A policeman who was on The pier yester-
day morning saw the body in the water. He
drew il out with a rope and when the cloth
ing was searched. papers and other docu-
ments found in the pockets led to the identi-
RcatiOn, At the time OF his disappearance
Mr.. Sperry had been a lodger at the Gala
van House, Broadway and briggs avenue.
williamsburg. When his wife went to her
relatives last winter IN pOor health Mr..
Sperry sold the house he had owned at
1872 Keap street
Mr.. Sperry was born il New York on
March IA, 1855. and Ave months later his
parents moved TO San Francisco. After a
stay there OF Ave years the family went TO
Silver City. New. and Ave years later they
returned East, where Mr.. Sperry attended
the public schools, after which he entered
the Columbia law school. and when he was
only 20 years old, In 1870. he was graduated.
For the next five years he was connected
with law firms in the city.
he became active in Brooklyn politics
tary to Secretary Of the Treasury Charles
Folger. He was retained ia that capacity
by Secretary Gresham and Secretary
MoCullooh and also for a time by Secretary
Daniel Manning. In 1884 President Arthur
nominated him as the receiver OF public
moneys at Bismarck. N. D., but a year
later he gave up the place and returned to
Brooklyn, where he was elected to the
Assembly from the old Ninth district. In
that year he married Miss Elizabeth Lamb,
a sister of u we'll known Brooklyn builder.
Under Collector Of the Port Joel B. Err
hardt. Mr.. Sperry was made his private
secretary and he held the office for three
terms. When Mr.. Sperry gave up that
place, the Lawyers Surety Company was
Formed and he was selected as the secretary
and counss for the corSpany. During the
regime of Mayor Wurster OF Brooklyn
Mr.. Sperry was an Assistant Corporation
counsel, being In charge Of the Albany
Bureau. At the expiration Of his term
he returned to the practice Of law and
later was appointed Corporation Tax Col
missioner, and remained as such until soon
after the Democrats took possession Of the
Comptroller's Office at Albany last Jahnary.
when he lost his place.
bir. Sperry was d member Of the hsAo-
ciated Pioneers OF Territorial Days OF Cali
fornia. as well as the Hanove Club of
BROOKLYN, the Jamaica Bay Yacht CllA. the
Congress Club.and the Crescent Club. He
was also a member Of Fraternity Council.
Royal Arcanum.