Justice Frank F. Adel was born in 1885 in New York. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, he was admitted to the Bar on November 15, 1904 and began private practice in Queens. Additionally, he represented Ridgewood, Queens as a Democratic State Assemblyman.
Adel was appointed by Governor Alfred E. Smith to the position of Queens County Municipal Judge, where he was involved with criminal cases such as the trial of the “Cry Baby Bandits.” He was elected to the Supreme Court in Brooklyn in 1930. Then, in 1940, Adel was named by Governor Herbert Lehman to the Appellate Division Second Department, where he ruled on cases pertaining to the fixing of milk prices and bribe taking by city officials. After 14 years of service, Judge Adel retired from the bench on December 31, 1954.
Following his retirement, in 1956, he was appointed by the Suffolk County Justices of the Peace to serve as a special referee in an investigation of charges of ticket fixing. For the remainder of his life, Adel continued an active role as a charter trustee of the Ridgewood Savings Bank, which he had helped organize in 1921 along with 13 other local businessman.
Justice Adel was married to Alice Meyerrose, and had a daughter, Ruth Torgerson. He died on February 13, 1967 at the age of 82 at his home in Manhasset, LI.
Sources
“Frank Adel.” Biographical information sheets. Appellate Division, Second Department Library, Brooklyn.
“Frank F. Adel, 82, Retired Justice.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 40. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Feb 15 1967. Web. 24 Aug. 2011 http://search.proquest.com/docview/118127828?accountid=8012.