Isaiah Frazier (1916)

FRAZIER, JOHNSON, BOWERS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:02:58

The Indianola Herald
Indianola, Iowa
Thursday, March 30, 1916
Page 6, Column 2 & 3

Isaiah Frazier, son of Francis and Lettie Frazier was born 4th month, 29th day, 1837, near Lynn, Randolph county, Indiana. He departed this life 3rd month, 23rd, 1916, at his home in Indianola, Iowa, age seventy-eight years, ten months and twenty-four days. He was a birthright member of the Friends church and was converted when but a boy and felt a call to the ministry. Though never recorded as a minister by his church he did much service for his Master in holding revival meetings and many were brought to Christ and into the church through his ministry. He was always found in his place at meetings and Sabbath school when it was possible. When he was young he attended Friends boarding school (now Earlham college), at Richmond, Indiana. At the age of 18 years he was granted a certificate to teach school and taught several terms.

He was united in marriage to Mary Emley Johnson 7th month, 12th, 1860 near Middle Bourgh, Wayne Co., Indiana. To this union were born seven children, Ruth, Thomas, Gideon, David, Esther, Rachel and Mary, Mary dying in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life 10th month, 28th, 1884, near Truro, Madison county, Ia. Esther preceded her father nine years and David two years.

On September 25, 1890 he was united in marriage to Mattie Bowers, near St. Charles, Madison county, Iowa. His wife and his two sons and two daughters and his brother, Francis were with him during his sickness and death.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, seventeen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

In early life he learned the blacksmith trade from his father and in 1860 set up a shop of his own at Dover, Wayne county, Indiana, where he worked for six years. During this time he was drafted in the army but was not compelled to go. He was Justice of the Peace at Dover from 1861 to 1865. During his residence here three of his children, Ruth, Thomas and Gideon were born.

In 1867, he with his wife and three children moved to Pleasant Plain, Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near that place where he also continued his blacksmithing. At this time he saw a great need for religious work and started a meeting and Sunday school, and also preached in school houses and groves. He did not have smooth sailing in this line at this time, but kept the work going and was eventually successful in creating the desired interest and in the salvation of souls. He was often granted a permit to hold meetings at different places and was often called upon to preach funerals and do other religious work. Family worship was held in their home every day—never were they too busy to serve their Master. It was during this time that David, Esther, Rachel and Mary were born.

In 1879, he, with his family moved to Rooks county, Kansas, where he took a claim. While there he continued his religious work, holding meetings in sod school houses and in the homes of the people. Again he returned to Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a farm two miles south of the one he first owned. At this time the great prohibition question was up before the people of Iowa, and he was one of its most ardent supporters. In the fall of 1883 they moved to Washington, Kansas. After his wife’s death he moved to Vinton, Bates county, Missouri, and at this place started a Sabbath school and meeting, and preached in many parts of Missouri and Kansas, where he had great success.

In 1885 he moved to Ackworth, Iowa, to educate his younger children at the Ackworth academy. After a time he moved his family to Indianola, where he engaged in the grocery business for three years. He was one of the first to help start a Friends meeting and Sunday School in Indianola, meetings being held in the various homes and sometimes in the court house. Through the efforts of some of the more faithful, money was finally raised and a meeting house provided, then the Friends meeting was organized. Mr. Frazier has always been an earnest worker in the church, he helped to start and has always attended whenever possible, until the beginning of his sickness about the first of December.

He bore his suffering with wonderful patience, always a kind word for everyone. He often expressed his willingness to go and wanted to go. A neighbor remarked to him that it was too bad that he had to suffer so, and he said, “No, it is all right. I am glad I am going and will soon be home with the Master.” At different times during his sickness he talked to his children and grandchildren, giving them good advice.

He made all arrangements for his funeral some time before his death. He chose for his pall bearers two sons, Thomas and Gideon; two sons-in-law, Charles Allen and Ernest Marshall and his two oldest grandsons, J. O. and Arthur Frazier. At his request Rev. E. H. Parisho, of Central City, Nebraska was called to preach the funeral service.

Funeral service was held at the Friends church, Sunday afternoon, March 26th, at 2:30, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Moore and Rev. Parisho. He was then laid to rest in the Indianola cemetery until the resurrection mourn, when the dead in Christ shall rise.

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