W. J. Fraser

REV. W. J. FRASER was born January 8, 1799. He took the degree of A.B. at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1822, and the degree of A.M. four years thereafter. He entered the ministry of the Old School Presbyterian Church in 1823. He was married to Miss Ruth Parker March 27, 1823 and then settled as pastor of Hopewell Church, where he remained five years, after which he came to Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, where he remained two years, and came to Illinois. He first settled in Morgan county in 1830, and his time was given to missionary work. His field extended from Cairo to Chicago. All traveling in these days was performed on horseback; and with corn-dodgers and bacon in his saddle-bags, he used to make his tours over the trackless prairie, sleeping often on the bare ground under the canopy of heaven. On one occasion he was obliged to throw off his clothing, fasten it to his saddle-bow, and three times in one day swim beside his horses across the streams. He studied medicine and by means of this profession was able to eke out his scanty salary. His wife died March 20, 1851, having been the mother of three sons and four daughters. His second wife was Miss Mary Blanchard, and she is the mother of three sons and three daughters of whom four are now living. Dr. Fraser, now in this seventy-fifth year, is living near the village of Brimfield, with all the comforts of life at his command. (page 61)