Frank Smith Rodan

 

FRANK SMITH RODAN was born in Dennisville, Cape May County, New Jersey, July 31, 1871. In 1896, a few years after he completed his education, he entered the laundry business.

By 1910 the Rodan family resided at 3623 Federal Street in Pennsauken Township, adjacent to the Rosedale Tavern which stood for many years on the corner of 36th and Federal Streets. It was in this year that he bought a half-interest in and was made president of the Domestic Laundry Company, which had a large plant at 10-16 South 3rd Street in Camden. In 1923 a new building had been built and in November was occupied at 1715 Mount Ephraim Avenue.

At the time of the 1920 Census, the Rodan family lived at 716 Grant Avenue in Collingswood NJ. They had moved two block, to 401 Collings Avenue, at the corner of Grant and Collings Avenues, by 1930. Frank S. Rodan appears in the 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at that same address. He appears to have passed away by 1947.

FRANK SMITH RODAN i

s a member of a family that was founded in this country by three brothers, Samuel, formerly located in Denver, Colorado where he was killed in a railroad accident, William and Jonas, all of whom migrated from England when very young. Frank Smith Rodan was born in Dennisville, Cape May County, New Jersey, July 31, 1871. He was educated in the grammar school of Petersburg, New Jersey, and the Pierce Business College, Philadelphia. He had been in the laundry business since 1896, when he became associated with the Empire Laundry Company of Philadelphia, of which he is still president. The Domestic Laundry Company, of which Mr. Rodan is also president, was first known as the Pacific Laundry Company, and was located at No. 32 Penn Street, Camden, New Jersey. In 1907 Frederick Frees, George Boggs and W. I. Folkes incorporated the Domestic Laundry Company at Nos. 10-16 South Third Street, Camden. In 1910 Frank Smith Rodan bought a half-interest in the company and was made president. The plant was moved to Mount Ephraim Avenue in November, 1923. Mr. Rodan is also vice-president of the Piano Motors Corporation, Camden.

Mr. Rodan married, in July, 1898, Mary Rich, born in Camden, New Jersey, daughter of Daniel R. and Anne M. Rich, the latter of whom is living; the former died in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Rodan have one child, Doris Corinne, born June 7, 1909. Mr. Rodan's father, Jonas R. Rodan, died in 1896. His mother, Evaline (Williams) Rodan, died when he was two and a half years of age. His father was an undertaker and wagon builder. He was an active Democrat in Cape May politics, and raised twelve children. At the time of the 1920 Census, the Rodan family lived at 716 Grant Avenue in Collingswood NJ. They had moved two blocks, to 401 Collings Avenue, at the corner of Grant and Collings Avenues, by 1930. Frank S. Rodan appears in the 1936 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at that same address. He appears to have passed away by 1947.

From South Jersey: A History 1624-1924