Private Frank L. Marston

Private Frank Marston Jr. was born on the shore of Lake Michigan, in the town of Kenosha, Wisconsin on December 12th, 1874. The town had a population of roughly 13,100 at the time of his birth. In 1889, Private Marston’s father, for whom he had been named, passed away in Kenosha.

Sometime after this, Private Marston moved to Illinois, where he enlisted into Company I of the 1st Illinois Infantry at roughly 23 years of age. As a member of the 1st Illinois Infantry, Private Marston would have received his first look at Tampa, as that is from where the regiment would leave for Cuba. The 1st Illinois infantry fought in many vital battles of the Spanish American War, including the Siege of Santiago De Cuba, where they were incredibly important to the success of the siege, which ended most of the fighting in Cuba. Some time after the war, Private Marston moved to a farm in Texas and in the late 1910s, Private Marston married Wilda Singer.

They would go on to have four children together: Frank Jr, Wilda Jr, Robert, and William. Private Marston would then move to Pennsylvania, the birthplace of his wife, where he lived until 1921. Next, perhaps remembering his short time he spent in Tampa, Private Marston moved back to Tampa, the place he left for Cuba. After his death, Private Marston’s wife, Wilda, lived only 7 miles from Picnic Island, where the 1st Illinois Infantry took off for Cuba.

Private Frank Marston passed away on October 4th, 1930 however, his family continued a legacy of service through his sons: Private Frank Marston Jr. served in World War 2, Robert Marston served in World War 2 as well, and William E. Marston served in the Navy, also during World War 2. Private Marston’s historic service during the Spanish American War is nothing short of incredible, and we are incredibly lucky to have an individual who served so long ago in the cemetery.