Frank Kimball Root (1856–1932) was a music publisher in Chicago and the proprietor of Frank K. Root & Co. His father, Ebenezer Towner Root, co-founded Root & Cady. Among the many notable songs published by the firm is "I Ain't Got Nobody".

Frank K. Root
Born
Frank Kimball Root

(1856-06-23)June 23, 1856
Jersey City, New Jersey
DiedFebruary 10, 1932(1932-02-10) (aged 75)
Kansas City, Missouri
Resting placeRosehill Cemetery
OccupationMusic publisher
Political partyRepublican

Biography

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Private Flynn by Lloyd Garrett cover

Frank Kimball Root was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on June 23, 1856. He moved to Chicago with his family at a young age and was educated in public schools in Hyde Park.[1]

He married Harriet Elizabeth Irwin on October 30, 1890, and they had three children.[1]

In politics, he was a Republican.[1]

Frank K. Root's firm had close ties to the McKinley Music Company.[2]

 
Root's home designed by Daniel Burnham

His home, the Root-Badger House at 326 Essex Rd. in Kenilworth, Illinois outside Chicago (also known as the Centennial House), was designed by Daniel Burnham and built by Paul Starrett.[3] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register of Historic Places listings in Cook County, Illinois).[4][5]

Frank K. Root died in Kansas City, Missouri on February 10, 1932, and was buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.[6][7]

Background

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His father cofounded Root & Cady. It was hit by the Great Chicago fire of 1871 and bankrupted. It was reorganized several years later as The Root & Sons Music Company.

Songwriter George F. Root was his uncle.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. XVII. James T. White & Company. 1920. p. 42. Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Jasen, David A.; Jones, Gordon Gene (2000). That American Rag: The Story of Ragtime from Coast to Coast. Schirmer Books. ISBN 9780028647432. frank k. root.
  3. ^ Rodkin, Dennis. "No Little Price Tag For Daniel Burnham-Designed Home". Chicago magazine. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  4. ^ "Kenilworth's Root-Badger House on the market for $8.95M". chicagonow.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  5. ^ "National Register Properties – Kenilworth Historical Society". kenilworthhistory.org. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  6. ^ "Deaths—Continued". Kansas City Times. February 11, 1932. p. 16. Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Funeral To Be Held Tomorrow For F. K. Root". Chicago Tribune. February 14, 1932. p. 16. Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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