Prof. Peter J. Frank, the eminent musician and violin and cornet instructor at Grand Rapids, with his class rooms at Detrick’s music store, Nos. 47 and 49 Monroe street, was born in New York City September 15, 1853, and is of German decent. His father, Philipp Frank, was also a renowned performer on the cornet and violin, and for many years was a member of the leading orchestras of New York City, and from him, no doubt, Prof. Peter J. inherits his remarkable musical talent.

Peter J. Frank acquired his literary education in the public schools of New York City, and after graduating from high school at once began the study of musical instrumentation, taking his first practical lessons on the violin under Prof. A. Zeis, a well known performer and instructor, and continued under instruction for five years; his next instructor was Prof. Frederick Mollenhauer, who was at that time considered to be the foremost music teacher in the city, with whom he studied and practiced six years, but for the last three years under this maestro was a member of the famous "Mollenhauer String Quartette." The following two years, Prof. Frank was "first violin" in the celebrated Dr. Damrosch’s orchestra, numbering seventy-five pieces, or performers. At the conclusion of this engagement, Mr. Frank accepted the position of first violinist in Theodore Thomas’s orchestra, and was with that renowned leader four seasons. Mr. Frank then located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he organized a band and orchestra of his own, composed of sixty-five performers, and this band still has an existence, under the leadership of John G. Frank, a brother of the subject of this sketch. During his residence in Brooklyn, Prof. Peter J. Frank acted as leader of the Twenty-eighth regiment band for three years, and also, for the same length of time, as leader of the Thirty-second regiment band, besides having entire charge of the public musical entertainment at Prospect Washington Parks.

March 6, 1891, Prof. Frank came to Grand Rapids and engaged in the teaching of the violin and cornet, and, his abilities being speedily recognized, he was at once classed with leading musicians of the city, and still stands at the head of the professors of the divine art. In 1891 and 1892 he had charge of the orchestra at Powers’ opera house, and during the summer season was leader of the orchestra at the Reed’s Lake Pavilion, a favorite pleasure resort near the city. In 1896 he accepted the position of leader of the orchestra at the Florence Hotel, San Diego, Cal., but returned to Grand Rapids the next season and resumed his profession as musical instructor. For the past two years he has had charge of the music of the Lakeside Club, at Reed’s Lake.

The classes of Prof. Frank at Grand Rapids have always been filled to repletion, both on the violin and cornet, and have been so competently taught that many of his pupils are now occupying remunerative positions in various orchestras throughout the country. Mr. Frank is an agreeable and affable gentleman, and his social relations are with the elite of the city of Grand Rapids.