Alexander Fraser

History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
May be copied for non-profit purposes.
USGENWEB Montana Archives

Judge Alexander Fraser--few men of Montana have had a more 
varied and eventful life than has Judge Fraser, and few, if 
any, save a sturdy Scotchman, could have survived some of 
the experiences through which he has passed.

He was born in northern Scotland in 1842, a son of James 
Fraser, a noted civil engineer and railroad contractor. 
Young Fraser received a liberal education in his native 
land, and at the age of twenty-three engaged with a 
company of English contractors who were going to South 
America to construct a railroad. Upon their arrival in 
South America they found the country harassed by internal 
revolution, in consequence of which the contractors were 
diverted from their plans and returned to England. Mr. 
Fraser, however desiring to see and learn more of the 
country and its resources, accepted the position as 
bookkeeper for a large sheep-raiser, some distance from 
Ontevideo, with whom he remained three years and a half. 
At the end of that time he returned to Scotland for the 
"girl he left behind." 
That same year, accompanied by his wife and father, he 
again crossed the Atlantic, this time landing at Nova 
Scotia. 

There he was engaged in constructing a railroad between 
Nova Scotia and Quebec. He continued in business there 
until 1881, when he engaged with H. Clarke & Company, 
railroad contractors, who were then constructing the 
Northern Pacific line. In the capacity of assistant 
paymaster and accountant he remained with them until 
1883 when the road 
was completed. He then went with them to British 
Columbia, where they were constructing the Canadian 
Pacific Railroad and where he remained until the fall 
of the following year. After making a short visit to 
his home in Canada, he was called by the same company 
to Billings, Montana, to take charge of their large 
mercantile interests as bookkeeper. 

In that position he continued until 1887, when he severed 
his connection with the company in order to engage in the 
grain, feed and wool commission business for himself. In 
this business he is still engaged and has thus far met 
with signal success. He was elected Police Magistrate 
for Billings in 1892 and Justice of the Peace in November 
of the same
year.

Judge Fraser was married in Scotland, in 1869 to Agnes 
Elizabeth Manson Ogilbie, daughter of Rev. John Ogilbie 
of Scotland. They have five children living--Nettie, 
James, Christine, Jack and Eddie. They have lost one 
child, Willie,who was drowned in the Yellowstone River, 
aged eleven years. He had gone to the river to fish.

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