Frank Abner Stockwell (American, 1890-1970) was a Buffalo, NY painter, illustrator, theater actor, humorist and reverend born in Worcester, MA on January 25, 1890 to Frank A. Stockwell and Addie Lincoln Stockwell. His general education was in Worcester and later studied at the Theological School of St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, graduating in June, 1917. He resided in Buffalo, NY after 1918 and married Mabel (née Durkee) of Morrisville, VT on September 28, 1918. The couple had two children, Phyllis Marion and Donald Lincoln. During his career, Frank first worked for the Kardex-Rand Company in Tonawanda, NY, and also in sales for Moore Business Forms. He later opened his own commercial art studio in Buffalo, and resided at 4 Otis Place in the city. During WWI he was an Army chaplain with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Stockwell was a member of and exhibited with the Buffalo Society of Artists, and also served as president from 1950-51. As an illustrator he specialized in humorous art and inspirational posters for various sales campaigns. As a theater actor, he worked with the Buffalo Players, performing as “Capt. Kearney” in the one-act production of Ile, as well as several roles for productions with the Buffalo Consistory Players, such as: “The Drain Man” in The Servant in the House, and as “The Professor” in A Night Off. In addition he was also a club entertainer and after-dinner humorist.
Frank spent his later years in Morrisville, VT, where he continued to paint and was also a clergyman of the Universalist Church. He was a Freemason for more than fifty-three years, achieving the level of 33rd Degree, and received the Meritorious Service Award of the Scottish Rite in 1944 for service beyond the call of duty. He died on February 2, 1970 in Morrisville, VT.
Memberships/Associations: Buffalo Society of Artists, president (1950-51), Buffalo, NY; Vermont Artists Association; Buffalo Players, Buffalo, NY; Scottish Rite Freemasons, Buffalo, NY; DeMolay Lodge 498, and member of entertainment committee, Buffalo, NY; F.&A.M., Buffalo, NY; Buffalo Consistory, Buffalo, NY; Ismalia Shrine Temple, and member of entertainment committee, Buffalo, NY; Rose-Croix, Buffalo, NY; Palmont Lodge of Perfection, Palmont Council, Princes of Jerusalem.
Collections: Buffalo Masonic Consistory, for the painting “Degree Night in the Robing Room”, Buffalo, NY.
Awards/Honors: Meritorious Service Award of the Scottish Rite, Freemasons, (1944).
(Rewritten in parts & compiled by Mark Strong of Meibohm Fine Arts, East Aurora, NY, meibohmfinearts.com, sources: Furnished upon request.)
