Biography & Personal Life
This page includes papers from Frantz' school days, personal photographs, and one copy of Lost Generation Journal.
Ralph Jules Frantz was born November 1, 1902 in Springfield, Ohio. He attended Wittenberg College while working as a reporter and sports editor for the Springfield Sun in 1919 where his lifetime newspaper career began. Frantz lived in Paris, France from 1925 until 1935 when he moved back to New York. He became Managing Editor for the European Edition of The Chicago Tribune in 1929 and held the position until 1934.
In retirement, Frantz was cofounder of the Overseas Press Club and served on numerous terms as treasurer and one term as vice-president. He remained close with his reporter friends and kept a series of Round Robin letters between them during his retirement years. Frantz served on the advisory board of the Lost Generation Journal and published four articles; one of which is titled, “The Chicatrib: 1917-34" (1974).
He was married to Isabelle Loulette Desrumaux, a French woman he met in Paris, until her death in 1967. His second marriage was to Lillian Maxine Moore, a librarian in New Jersey. Frantz died of cancer in New Jersey in 1979 at the age of 77.
Ralph Jules Frantz
Piano Recital
June 1, 1912
A piano recital school program where a young Frantz performed.
Piano Recital
Frantz performed a duet, "Flower Fairies" by Fearis and a solo, "Story of the Mouse" by Lynes.
Wittenberg Academy Commencement Exercises
May 30, 1920
A program for the Wittenberg Academy Commencement Exercises Frantz attended.
Wittenberg Academy Commencement Exercises
The back lists the class roll and Ralph Jules Frantz is fourth from the top.
Wittenberg Academy Commencement Exercises
The inside page outlines the program's itinerary.
Wittenberg Football Banquet
December 20, 1920
While attending Wittenberg Academy, Frantz served as a sports editor for The Springfield Sun. Frantz is second from the left (whole person).
Photograph of Jules with his first wife Loulette. Their close friend Renee Egan sits on the right. Frantz's dog Maggie makes an appearance.
The Lost Generation Journal
Vol. II, No. 3, Fall 1974
“The Chicatrib, 1917-34" by Ralph Jules Frantz.
"Jules Frantz One Boss Who Never Went Highhat" by O.W. Riegel.
Below is a link to Riegel's article.
This site is maintained by the librarians of George A. Spiva Library.
If you have a question or comment about the Library's LibGuides, please contact the site administrator.
