Having become connected in a clerical capacity with the Wakefield Trust Company as a young man, almost immediately following the completion of his education, Mr. Clemens has continued with this well-known and prominent financial institution since then. Strict attention to the duties assigned to him from time to time, exceptional business and executive ability, unwavering loyalty to the interests of his bank, and untiring energy and industry gained him numerous promotions to positions of ever-increasing importance and responsibility, and for the last few years he has been one of the executive officers of the bank. In this capacity his position in the business world is of importance, and his pleasing personality and his other fine qualities of the mind and heart have gained him the goodwill of his fellow-townsmen and have made him extremely popular in the several fraternal organizations, of which he has been a member for many years. He represents a high type of useful, upright and substantial citizen.
Frank W. Clemens was born at Peace Dale, October 9, 1875, a son of the late Frank J. and Hannah (Hallowell) Clemens. Both his parents are deceased. His father, who was a native of Germany, but who spent the greater part of his life in this country, was for some forty years and until his death connected with the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company as a master mechanic. Mr. Clemens’ mother was a native of Thompsonville, Connecticut. Frank W. Clemens was educated in the public grammar and high schools of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and at Bryant & Stratton’s Business College. After leaving school he spent one year in the hotel business, but in 1896 became associated with the Wakefield Trust Company and with the Wakefield Institution for Savings, his first position being that of a clerk. Several years later he was promoted to the position of manager of the Narragansett Pier branch of the Wakefield Trust Company, a position which he filled so capably that before long he was made assistant treasurer of the trust company. In 1926 he was elected treasurer, a position he has since then continued to fill with much ability and success. He is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master; Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is the treasurer; and Narragansett Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is also the treasurer. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and for some time he has held the office of auditor of the town of South Kingstown. His religious affiliation is with the Peace Dale Congregational Church. He is fond of outdoor life and sports and especially of hunting, fishing and motoring.
Mr. Clemens is not married. He makes his home at Peace Dale with his sister.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.