FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS - April 2, 1951-- Old-timers here were shocked yesterday at the news of the death of Frank A. Whitney, former circuit judge who had filled many positions of honor and trust in this community, including that of mayor of Fort Myers, since near the turn of the century. Born in Topeka, Kas., 82 years ago, Judge Whitney came to Florida, in Alachua County, when two years old and spent most of the rest of his life in this state which he loved greatly. As a boy he attended the then Florida Military Academy and went on to Chicago University and Northwestern law school, getting his degree when 21 but, because of his unusual scholastic accomplishments, staying on at the request of Northwestern University as lecturer on law for another year. Funeral arrangements were still pending last night. Grief-stricken and confined to her bed, Mrs. Whitney said: "He was one of the most honest men in the world and one of the kindest husbands any woman ever had." Coming back to Florida after college, Judge Whitney made such a name for himself with a law office at Lakeland that he was appointed judge of the South Florida circuit which at that time included Miami.It was from his headquarters in 1914 that he granted the injunction against building a new Lee County courthouse which William H. Towles, as chairman of the county commission, defied by tearing down the old one so a new one could be built. Judge Whitney was one of the sponsors of the Iona Drainage District in the 1920's. He served as mayor of Fort Myers from 1933 to 1935.
FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS - April 2, 1951-- Old-timers here were shocked yesterday at the news of the death of Frank A. Whitney, former circuit judge who had filled many positions of honor and trust in this community, including that of mayor of Fort Myers, since near the turn of the century. Born in Topeka, Kas., 82 years ago, Judge Whitney came to Florida, in Alachua County, when two years old and spent most of the rest of his life in this state which he loved greatly. As a boy he attended the then Florida Military Academy and went on to Chicago University and Northwestern law school, getting his degree when 21 but, because of his unusual scholastic accomplishments, staying on at the request of Northwestern University as lecturer on law for another year. Funeral arrangements were still pending last night. Grief-stricken and confined to her bed, Mrs. Whitney said: "He was one of the most honest men in the world and one of the kindest husbands any woman ever had." Coming back to Florida after college, Judge Whitney made such a name for himself with a law office at Lakeland that he was appointed judge of the South Florida circuit which at that time included Miami.It was from his headquarters in 1914 that he granted the injunction against building a new Lee County courthouse which William H. Towles, as chairman of the county commission, defied by tearing down the old one so a new one could be built. Judge Whitney was one of the sponsors of the Iona Drainage District in the 1920's. He served as mayor of Fort Myers from 1933 to 1935.
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