Carroll Co., AR - Biographies - J. C. Fraker *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** J. C. Fraker was born in Illinois on February 26, 1831. About 1838 his parents removed to Indiana, and it was there that he was educated in the common schools. In 1858 he removed to Kansas, and the next year located at [p.1054] Emporia, where he soon after engaged in the hardware business, in partnership with Asa Gillett and Senator P. B. Plumb. Later the firm comprised Judge Peyton, Senator Plumb and Mr. Fraker. They did a large wholesale and retail business, at that time the largest in Southeast Kansas. In 1868 Mr. Fraker sold his interest, and removed to Wichita, and in 1871 engaged in the milling business, which he continued until 1880, when his mill burned. The next year he removed to Carroll County, Ark., and engaged in saw-milling and the lumber trade. He also retained an interest in a lumber business at Wichita. At first he located at Winona Springs, but in 1885 he came to Eureka Springs. Until last year he did a large wholesale and retail business, but since then he has been doing a wholesale business exclusively, as a member of the firm of Spencer & Fraker. Their business in 1887 amounted to $50,000. In 1852 Mr. Fraker was united in marriage with Susan M. Nicholls, of Greencastle, Ind. She died on September 1, 1874. leaving three children, viz.: Frank F., Hattie and Birdie. On September 1, 1875, he wedded Miss E. M. Foote, of Nottawa, Mich. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife was also a member of the same church. In politics Mr. Fraker is a Prohibitionist, and is the present secretary of the Prohibition State Central Committee. His wife is president of the W. C. T. U. of Eureka Springs.