Harry S.Truman Look-alike Frank R. Coon

This old portrait upon first glance looked to me to be a photo of Harry S. Truman the 33rd president of the United States. Upon investigation it turned out to be a prominent businessman, Frank Coon of southwestern New Mexico. This was a fun editing project and I owe a debt or gratitude to the Deming Museum for allowing me to take all the photos I wanted of their collection.

The following is his notice of death in a local paper:
Frank Ross Coon was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1869.

When he was two years old he went with his family to Nebraska, where he was raised on a farm. He began his banking experience in David City, Nebraska, while in his teens. In November, 1891, he
married Bertha Wilcox, and moved back to the farm, which he operated until 1903. He was in the
poultry commission business until 1905, when he came to Silver City, New Mexico, for the benefit of his wife's health, who died in 1909. While in Silver City he was connected with the American National Bank. In 1907 he organized the First National Bank of Lordsburg, New Mexico, of which he was president until he came to Deming in 1925 and organized the Mimbres Valley Bank, of which he was president until his death.

On June 20, 1911, he married Winifred Elizabeth Barnes, who survives him, as do his daughter, Mrs. P. R. Lynch of Tyrone, New Mexico and his son, Stanley W. Coon, of Duncan, Arizona.

The Deming Headlight, Deming, NM, July 16, 1943

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