The son of immigrants who arrived in America in 1881, Frank Jenss opened the Jenss Bros. department store on the southwest corner of Main and Division streets in 1916, after having opened a dry goods store with his brother Paul in Lockport.

In partnership with other businessmen, he purchased the property across from his on Main Street and together they built the Bellevue Theater.

Jenss also opened the Williams Hotel. Thereafter, he turned his attention to politics, and for 20 years he served as an alderman, city councilman, and mayor.

Known to be a spirited gentleman, he was an adversary of Mayor William Laughlin, and on one occasion in 1926, he stood in vehement opposition to the request from the Mayor to fund $240 for a dinner and flowers for the visiting Queen Maria of Rumania. Mayor William Laughlin ended up personally paying that bill. The Mayor later bested him in an election to retain that office, but Jenss did run successfully and serve as Mayor from 1932 to 1935.

The city incinerator plant and Hyde Park stadium were built during his term. While still a councilman, Mayor Jenss received a large gold-plated loving cup in 1923 from the sisters of Mount St. Mary’s hospital in gratitude for his service as chairman of a successful fundraising campaign which raised $250,000 to build a nurses home for the hospital. This became one of his proudest possessions. He was also known for eliminating late night work hours for his employees. Frank and Paul Jenss sold Jenss business in 1950.

Frank died in 1961.

Thanks to the Niagara Gazette for publishing much of this information.