History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918

BENJAMIN F. FRASIER, in former years a well-known agriculturist of Beaver Township, and for some years manager of the county farm, was born in Auburn Township, Fond du Lac County, Wis., Nov. 23, 1857, son of Ransome and Mary Ellen (Romaine) Frasier. The father, Ransome, was born and married in Wisconsin. In 1863 he set out to enlist for service in the Civil War, but at Madison he took the measles and died. The subject of this sketch was at that time only 6 years old and his parents' only child. He and his mother went to live with her parents, Ben and Charity Romaine. He was sent to school, but began working on farms in summer when in his fourteenth year, continuing his studies, however, during the winters until he was 18.

On Feb. 12, 1879, he was united in marriage with Rosa Roscoe, a native of Washington County, Wis., whose father, James Roscoe, a farmer, had removed to Fond du Lac County. Mr. Frasier had by this time procured a farm of his own, and he and his wife resided on it for two years at the end of which time they removed to Clark County. Here they settled on a farm in Beaver Township. It contained 160 acres, of which fifteen acres had been cleared, and a log house stood on the place, into which they moved. A short time afterwards, however, a new schoolhouse was built and Mr. and Mrs. Frasier took the old schoolhouse for a residence. Mr. Frasier spent the summer time in improving his farm, working out during the winter. After a residence of twenty-seven years on the place he had cleared sixty acres of his land, built a brick house and two large barns. The latter burned down, however, and were replaced by a basement barn. In 1906 Mr. Frasier was chosen by the county board of supervisors to superintend the county farm. He held that position for four years, and died after resigning it, June 16, 1910. By industry and perseverance, backed by intelligence, he had gained a prominent place in the community and was universally respected.

In 1905 he helped to organize the Lynn Fire Insurance Company, and was a director of it for nine years and treasurer two years. He also served four years as chairman of the Beaver Township board, by virtue of which office he became a member of the county board. His wife now resides in the village of Loyal, the farm now being occupied by their son, John R. The latter, who was born in Auburn Township, Fond du Lac County, April 25, 1880, came to Clark County with his parents at the age of two years, and was here educated. He has always resided on the farm on which he now lives. He married Myrtle Miles, May 19,1901,and they have five children: Benjamin, Mildred, Nora, Iva and Rosa.