Franck, a veteran of the Mexican War and a former saddle maker turned gold miner, played a role in organizing the Santa Clara Fire Department in 1851.

He pursued education until the age of fifteen before beginning an apprenticeship to master the trade of harness and saddle making in Kaiserslautern.

Spending almost two years in various mines around Yuba, Feather Rivers, Shaw's Flat, Murphy's Camp, and Columbia, he returned to San Francisco later in 1853.

By 1855, he relocated to San Jose and subsequently settled in Santa Clara, establishing his permanent harness and saddlery business there.

[2][3][6][7] Franck held various leadership roles within the Odd Fellows lodge and among the founding members of the Encampment of Santa Clara.