Joseph Otto Frank, educator and author, was born February 14, 1885 in Lebanon, Indiana. He received his Bachelor's degree in 1909 and his Master's degree in 1912 from Indiana University. From 1909 to 1911, he taught chemistry and biology at Winona College. In 1912, he accepted a teaching position at the State Normal School, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and continued teaching there until his death. He was professor of Cehmistry from 1912 to 1915, Head of the College Course, 1915-1922, and head of the Department of Chemistry after 1922.
Professor Frank was particularly interested in methods of teaching chemistry in high schools and colleges and wrote a number of textbooks and manuals on this subject. He also did chemical research work for companies such as the Calumet Baking Powder Company (baking powder and other General Foods products), Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company (aluminum products), Morgan Company (wood preservatives), and Welch Manufacturing Company (editor of slides and charts and other visual material for instruction in chemistry).
