FRASER, Alexander - 1914

FRASER, MCMULLEN, MCWILLIAMS, WALTER, CHAMBERLAIN

Posted By: Colette Miles (email)
Date: 6/26/2009 at 17:49:59

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

ALEXANDER FRASER.

Alexander Fraser, prominently identified with various corporate, business and political interests of Aurelia, has during the thirtyeight years he has lived in the city made the weight of his influence felt upon various phases of its advancement and progress and has gained for himself a high place among men of marked ability and substantial worth. He is now serving his third term as mayor and he has undoubtedly been one of the greatest individual forces in directing the general progress of this part of the county. He was born in Wisconsin in 1848 and is a son of J. W. and Isabel (McMullen) Fraser, both of Scotch parentage and natives of Nova Scotia. The parents came to the United States iq 1844 and settled in Wisconsin, where the father took up government land, upon which he followed farming until 1858. In that year he came to Iowa and settled in Clayton county, where he again purchased a farm, although he did not immediately take up his home upon it. For a few years he conducted a mercantile establishment at McGregor but eventually moved upon his land which he operated until he retired from active life in 1900. He afterward made his home in Peterson until his death, which occurred in the same year, his wife passing away two years afterward. The following sons were born to their union: Alexander, of this review; John, of Missouri; Charles and George, residents of South Dakota; and Hugh, William, James and Henry, all of whom have passed away.

Alexander Fraser acquired his education in the public schools of Clayton county, this state, and in the Upper Iowa University. He came to Cherokee county in 1871 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Aurelia, upon which he followed farming for four years. At the end of that time he sold his property and built an elevator at Aurelia, operating this for a number of years. He has since that time conducted elevator and grain concerns in this city and others and his interests have extended also to many different fields. He conducted a mercantile establishment at Aurelia for a few years and was one of the organizers of the first bank in the town, serving as its vice president. This afterward became the Farmers National Bank and in the new institution Mr. Fraser is now a director and stockholder. He operates in connection with his son the Fraser Elevator and has extensive property interests.

On the 24th of January, 1869, Mr. Fraser married Miss Mary McWilliams, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Israel and Margaret McWilliams, both of whom passed away in Aurelia. To their union were born four children: Jane, deceased; L. C., of Aurelia; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review; and Ella, who married Louis Walter, of George, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser became the parents of six children. Zelda is the widow of George Chamberlain, formerly a merchant in Aurelia. Arthur is connected with the elevator business in association with his father. Of the other children Earl L. and Imo, are at home; Alexander G., died at the age of five; and Avo, passed away at the age of thirteen..

Mr. Fraser is a progressive republican in his political beliefs. He is now serving his third term as mayor and his administration has been marked by the accomplishment of a great deal of constructive and progressive work in the best interests of the city. He stands high in the regard of all who know him and his acquaintance covers a wide territory because of the extent of his business interests and the importance of his political relations.