Jabes A. Frise Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 993-994

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.




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JABES A. FRISE, a young man of more than ordinary talent and business 
capacity and & one of the largest music dealers in Michigan outside of 
Detroit, was born in Mariposa, Clark Township, Ontario, Canada. 
September 14, 1854. His father, William Frise, was born in Devonshire, 
England, in the city of Plymouth. Near there his grandfather, John, 
carried on a large farm, and in 1843 brought his family to Ontario 
Canada, where his father died. The family is of old English stock.

   The father of our subject was a boy of about eighteen when he 
accompanied his parents to America, and he was married in Ontario. 
About the year 1860 he located in London Township, that province, and 
there engaged in farming. He was an active member of the Methodist 
Church, and was accidentally killed while working in a well with a 
neighbor. His wife, Olivia, daughter of the Rev. Garrance T. Colwell, 
was born in London, England, and came with her parents to America at 
the same time and in the same ship with the Frise family. Mr. Colwell 
was a tailor in England, but took up study for the ministry after 
coining to this country, and was ordained a Bible Christian minister in 
Canada.

   Of the twelve children of his father's household our subject has 
five brothers and one sister surviving. He had limited school 
advantages, and may well be called a self-made man. At the age of 
sixteen he was apprenticed to a tinsmith for three years, and after 
that worked as a journeyman at St. Mary's and Lucan. After this he went 
to Petrolia, Lambton County, where he took charge of a tin and hardware 
business, of which he had the entire management for six years.

   While residing in this last-named place Mr. Frise was married, April 
30, 1877, to Miss Susie McNeil, a native of Port Huron, this State. His 
family now comprises four bright and interesting children-Willie A., 
Mabel L., Eva M. and Susie P. From Petrolia Mr. Prise removed to 
London, and with his uncle, C. F. Colwell, learned the music business, 
and for three years traveled on the road selling instruments. In 1884 
he came to Detroit and entered the employ of Roe Stevens, making with 
him a six years' contract. Eighteen months later Mr. Stevens sold his 
business to the Detroit Music Company, and Mr. Frise entered their 
employ, representing them on the road until September 23, 1888. At that 
time he originated his present business in Flint, whither he had 
previously removed his family.

   Here Mr. Frise has been very successful, as he has built up a trade, 
both wholesale and retail, in instruments of all kinds, and has three 
men on the road. The pianos which he handles most extensively are 
Kranich & Bach, the W. W. Kimball, and the Emerson, while in organs he 
handles largely the Story & Clark, the W. W. Kimball, and the J. A. 
Frise, the latter make bearing improvements of his own in the placing 
of reeds and also in the Vox Humana. In connection with pianos and 
organs Mr. Frise carries a full line of band instruments and music of 
all kinds. He has been ably assisted by his wife, who during his 
absence has charge of the store, besides acting as bookkeeper.

   Mr. Frise owns considerable real estate in this city and is 
prominent in business circles. He is a member of Genesee Lodge, No. 
174, F. & A. M., Washington Chapter, No. 15, Flint Council, No. 56, 
Royal and Select Masters, and Genesee Valley .Commandery, No. 15, K. T. 
The Order of Foresters counts him as one of its best known and most 
influential members, as he is at present the High Chief Ranger of the 
order in Michigan, the highest office to which he can attain. He is a 
demitted member of the order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the 
Knights of the Maccabees. In his politics he is a Republican, and is 
influential in the ranks of his party.




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