South Bend Tribune
December 19, 1942
 
Frank Nevins, Democratic Leader, Dies
by Charles L. Egenroad
Tribune Staff Writer.
 
St. Joseph county today lost one of its most colorful political figures when death came suddenly to Frank N. Nevins, He died in St. Joseph hospital at 12:30 a.m. of a heart ailment. He was aged 49.
It would be customary to indentify Mr. Nevins as a former county clerk, but that would not be doing justice to the identity of a man who widely acclaimed in Indiana as one of the state’s keenest political observers as well as an energetic businessman whose success in life came the hard way.
No single individual, perhaps was more generally known in political circles in this county than Mr. Nevins. His predictions on election outcomes never were known to fail; his tactics were actively engaged in the democratic party’s guidance were considered faultless, and his out-of-politics personality was one of geniality.
The records of Mr. Nevins, the politician, and Mr. Nevins, the businessman, were parallel in the matter of endeavor and success. Both found him starting at the bottom and finishing at the top.
 
 Born in South Bend
 
Several years ago the hand of fate slowed his efforts when he was suddenly stricken with a serious heart ailment. Since that time he had curbed his business and political activities. Then, on Sunday, Dec. 6, a second attack sent Mr. Nevins to St. Joseph hospital.
Mr. Nevins was born in South Bend on April 18, 1893, and spent practically all of his life in this city. His early business life consisted of management of a chain clothing store and operation of a collecton agency. Later, after he had climb to the heights in politics, Mr. Nevins opened a resort at Dewey lake near Dowagiac, Mich., known as Shady Shores.
He had cut Shady Shores out of a wooded hill and steadily he built and improved and enlarged it until today Shady Shores is one of southwestern Michigan’s summer resort show places.
 
 Hotel Venture Succeeds
 
This venture into the resort business spurred Mr. Nevins to other similar activities. He learned of a depression hit resort hotel in Hollywood, Fla. and began operation. His success was almost immediate and when death struck today negotiations were under way with the United States army for leasing the hotel to house men in training in Florida.
Mr. Nevins’ political career began when he cast the first of his many democratic votes for President Woodrow Wilson in 1912. Two years later he had become precinct committeeman in the fourth precinct of the fourth district, the bottom rung of the polities ladder.
He used to say that politics was in his blood. He worked hard at the seemingly unimportant job of precinct committeeman until 1922 when he was elected democratic county chairman, a year when the party elected a sheriff, two county commissioners and a majority of the township trustees, which was regarded as a successful campaign.
 
Becomes County Clerk
 
Again in 1924, Mr. Nevins was chairman but his party fell under the republican landslide that sent President Calvin Coolidge into office along with local and state republican nominees.
When democratic hopes were revived for the 1926 campaign, Mr. Nevins decided to become a candidate for county clerk, the first political step that promised any remuneration for his efforts. A big majority sent him into the office he was to hold through eight highly successful democratic years, being reelected in 1930.
His regime as county clerk won him the praise of attorneys and judges for the manner in which he conducted the office despite his recongnized status as a politician.
He had argued throughout his political career that good public service was the best politics and he practiced what he taught.
It was near the close of his second term in office that Mr. Nevins joined with County Auditor Fred P. Crowe and several other former county officials, both democratic and republican, to seek a test of a state law that denied them fees and salaries that had been paid to other officials. They won their test suits after four years of legal battling.
 
 Retires in 1934
 
After retiring as clerk on Dec. 31, 1934, Mr. Nevins spent most of his time at his Michigan and Florida resorts and although he is known to have been consulted by democratic leaders and other party representatives with respect to campaign tactics, Mr. Nevins had not since been officially affiliated with the St. Joseph county democratic party.
Knowing Mr. Nevins political ability, it was no surprise that in his first election as a Silver Creek, Mich., township should go democratic for the first time in history. It has not been surprising that the township is now as strongly democratic as it was republican before Mr. Nevins took a hand in its political destiny.
The many acquaintances of Mr. Nevins know little of the philanthropic side of his life, but suffice it to say that many have been beneficiaries.
Since he was first stricken with the ailment that proved fatal today, Mr. Nevins wide business interests had been maintained on a high plane through the assistance given him by Mrs. Nevins, whom he married in South Bend June 16, 1916. working in the family business unit was the Nevins’ only child, Frank Jr., who now resides in Battle Creek, Mich.
Also surviving is a brother, Herbert, of Bridgedale, O.
The social life of Mr. Nevins was as full and complete as his business and political career. He was a member of St. Joseph lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., the Ancient  and Accepted Order of the Scottish Rite, a life member of lodge No. 48, Avalon Grotto, and South Bend lodge No. 235, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
Friends will be received in the A.C. Welshelmer  funeral home, 521 North William street, from 8 p.m. today until 11 a.m. Friday when the body will be removed to the Holy Trinity Lutheran church of which Mr. Nevins was a member. There it will lie in state until 2 p.m. when funeral services will be conducted with the Rev. Robert h. Daube, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial cemetery.