Francis Joseph “Frank” was born May 10, 1889 in Battle Creek, Iowa, the son of John and Mary Ann (Lynn) McNiff. He grew up near Battle Creek until he was about three, and then the family moved to near Danbury, Iowa. He attended the College of Pharmacy at Iowa City, and graduated in 1911.  In July 1911, Frank and his brother, James, purchased the drug store in Anthon from Bert Hart, and ran it as “McNiff Bros.” Frank went to serve in World War I, in Regiment 351 of the 313^th Sanitary Train (88^th Division).  He was employed in the medical dispensary department.  While in France, he died of bronchial pneumonia on December 15, 1918. He was the first war casualty of an Anthon man.  On September 21, 1920, McNiff Post #389 American Legion was chartered. Frank was originally buried at the American cemetery on the banks of the Meuse at Gondrecourt, France and was brought home and re-buried on May 29, 1921 at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Danbury, Iowa.  

The Post application was signed by:

August Sachau, Louis Guy Barber, Cecil Plato, Benjamin Reed, Elmer Mickelsen, Waldo Risher, Charles Goodrich, Merritt Weathers, Otis Menter, James Thompson, Loyal Malcom, Cloyd Hayworth, Albert S. Plato, John M. Conley, and Davie Rice.

The Charter Member list was unfortunately destroyed by flooding in the mid 1920's and efforts to find a copy have been unsuccessful.