Biography
Frankson, Kanute Stoddart (Oliver); b. April 13 (April 12, June 13), 1890, Parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica; To the US April 30, 1917; African American; Father Edward Frankson, mother Margaret Washington; Possibly attended college; Separated (Divorced from Mabelle Scott, who he married on January 27, 1923.); Mechanic; United Automobile Workers of America; NAACP, National Negro Congress, CP December 1934, Section Organizer; Sailed April 21, 1937 aboard the Queen Mary; Arrived in Spain on May 10, 1937, Served with the International Auto Park, Albacete, Chief Mechanic; December 1, 1937 transferred to No. 1 Hospital Albacete; Rank Soldado; Due to illness on December 8, 1937 Medical Commission recommended a week’s rest and auxiliary service in the rear, sent from Albacete on January 12, 1938 to Murcia, then to Barcelona on February 12, 1938; Requested repatriation for treatment; Returned to the US on September 24, 1938, aboard the President Harding; d. March 17, 1941, Brighton, Michigan in an auto accident.Sources: Cadre; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 892, ll. 32-42; L-W Tree Ancestry; Marion Noble to Brooks; African Americans.
Biography: Kanute Frankson was born in the Parish of St. Catherine, Old Harbor, Jamaica on April 13, 1890. In 1917, together with his wife, Rachel, he emigrated to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where Frankson worked as a machinist. Frankson eventually settled in Detroit, where he worked in the auto industry. Frankson joined the Communist Party in 1934. He sailed for Europe aboard the Queen Mary on April 21, 1937. In Spain, skilled machinists were scarce and Frankson with his proven ability was rapidly promoted. He was appointed Head Mechanic at the International Garage in Albacete. Fellow International Garage veteran, Marion Noble, noted that Frankson's fluency in Spanish was a great asset and that many hours of his free time were spent teaching engine repair classes to young Spaniards. Frankson returned to the United States aboard the President Harding on September 24, 1938. Frankson was killed in an auto accident in either 1939 or 1940. - Chris Brooks