Frazier, James A.

FRAZIER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 10/30/2008 at 16:46:48

James A. Frazier

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.232, Silver Creek Twp.)
James A. Frazier, stockman, Silver City. Mr. Frazier was born December 31, 1848, in Ohio, and lived there till he was twenty years old, and then came to Marion County, Iowa, and was there for four years, and then moved to Mills County, where he remained for one year, and then came to Pottawattamie County. He is the son of John R. Frazier, who was born in Indiana. Mr. Frazier's mother was born in Ohio, his parents both living, and just across the line in Mills County. He is one of seven children, five sons and two daughters, only one of the family is dead, a sister of Mr. Frazier's; while he was a small boy, he always said he was going to be a stock dealer, and he worked for that all his life. First beginning by raising sheep, an uncle gave him one lamb and from this he made a start, selling the first fleece of wool for a dollar, and invested that in another lamb, and then he let out his three or four lambs to a farmer to keep on the shares, and kept on this way till he had about 500 head, when he left Ohio. In Marion County, Iowa, Mr. Frazier and two of hiw brothers, Randall and William, went into partnership and rented a farm; James was only twenty-two, Randall, eighteen, and William sixteen years old. From this time till 1878, these three brothers were in together. They farmed and fed some cattle for themselves, and same for their landlord. In this way, they learned the business of buying and feeding cattle. After coming to Mills County, they continued in the same way, only steadily increasing, and begun buying and shipping cattle and hogs, J. M. Strahan, of Malvern, Mills County, furnishing the money and getting half the profits. As they accumulated means of their own, they made use of it, and finally got enough to carry on business on their own account. In 1878, they dissolved partnership, but in the spring of 1881 James and William again went in together, and continue. William caries on the business in Nebraska, where they have bought 1,600 acres of land, besides leasing 3,400 acres of school and college lands. of their land there, above 400 acres are fenced, and 200 in cultivation, and have cattle sheds, etc., to make a complete cattle ranch, and have on hand there now over 400 head. James Frazier tends to the business on this side of the river. he used to think that if he had a team of horses, he would be all right, but now he and his brother have thirty-nine horses, mules and colts. His leading business here is buying and shipping stock. This summer, he has fed about 550 head of hogs, and shipped about 5,000 head, and of cattle fed about 100 head and shipped 800. Randall Frazier has continued in the same business, but alone since 1878, and has made a success also, having now a section of land, joining the town of Wayne, Wayne County, Neb., which is his home. Mr. James Frazier was married in Marion County, Iowa, in 1873, to Miss Mary M. Cross, who was born in Ohio. They have six children, three girls and three boys. He is Republican in politics; came to his present farm, spring of 1874. His independent farm here consists of 200 acres, well improved with fences, orchards, groves, etc.