The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-27
biographical.


"Dr. John r. Frayser was born February
10, 1915, in Cumberland county, Va, and
there grew TO manhood or until he was
twenty years OF age. He is descended
from Scotch-Irish family. His grand
father Frayser, scotchman, came to
America in 1901, and settled in Hanover
county. Va, near Richmond, and engaged {
in farming His son, Robert, father OF
the subject OF this sketch, was man e
very strong character, and rose from tho
anvil 10 the bench having been at first q
blacksmith and afterward judge Of the
court OF Cumberland county. He died at
Staunton, Va, in 1881, at the age OF sixty
one years, leaving six children, one of
whom, Robert, went 10 St. Charles county,.
Mo, where he became an extensive plantcr
and married Miss Spears niece OF Judge
Edward Bates, who was member OF
President Lincoln's Cabinet. Anotherf
son, William, went from Virginia TO Mem
phis, where he remained few years and
then removed to Lexington, Holmes
county, Miss, where he became promin-
ent as q lawyer. lie died there in 1912.
| A third son, Albert, was a merchant in
| Powhatan county, Va. Banjamin T., ans
other son, graduated with honor at tho
| NnlNtislty vi NHBiiilh, Nuu WIS huCCChS-
| fu practitioner vi medicine till his death
in 1858.
"John r. our subject, was brought up Cd
n farm in his native county, obtaining hid
earliest education in the ''old field schoolsn
OF the neighborhood and for one year ID
the academy at Cartersville, Va. His<
tutors were Philip Leak, a very eminent'
teacher OF that day, and Jesse 5. Arm1
stead, q Presbyterian minister. Al quitd.
AN early age he formed the intention %
studying medicine, and in the fallt
OF 1882 entered the Medical University
OF Pennsylvania, where, on account
Of his extreme youthiulness, hc was
called "iho boy" by his classmates, one
Of whom was William Gibson, son OF Prof.
Gibson, Of the university. lilo graduated
in medicine in the spring Of 1884, and in
the following year, being justtwenty years
OF age, he went TO Memphis, where I'D
has been ever since. every year, and
every month In the year. lie was induce,
20 settle in Memphis by the persuasons u
two Of his brothers then living there, ond
a merchant and the other n lawyer, and.
editor OF paper In the city. lie lnniuH'
IN Memphis with just 81 in his pocket
and stopped ut the old City hotel, Of whic &
Thomas ID. johnson was proprietor. ll6
I ANnk lilt lNtlNlNIh lllAN IlN AAiAuNiAnitf AhAU.
him that he WIS without money, and at |
once received his sympathy and promi @
OF help. lie boarded for three years wi
Mr. Johnsou, WIN became his warmcst
friend, ~ d charged him only $50 In money
for three yeais' board, taking the balance
out in practice in his family. He did not
enter actively into the practice at once,
but up 90 1870 was connected with n book
store In partnership with Jcpiha Fowlkes.
During the year 1910 hc formed part-
ncrship with Dr. Hugh Whcailcy, Wild
had solicited him 10 join him In the prac-
tico OF medicine when he first came q
Memphis At the expiration OF one year
Dr. Fmyscr entered into partnership with
Dr. Scion Borland, who, after remaningI
with him one year, turned his attention 10
politics, moved 30 Louisville, and after
pmcticing medicine there for time went
10 Arkansas, took prominent part In
Democratic politics In that State, was
elected United States senator and after
ward appointed minister to Central Amer
lea. At the beginning Of the late civil war
he (Borland) entered the Confederate army
with the rank OF colonel and died in the
service.
Elm August. Isio. DIR. Fnyscr formed a
partnership with DR.. I. NJ. Chase, who
continued with him till his death in 1853.
lie then entered into partnership with DR..
T.. Miles Willcti, which lasted ill 1878,
when he took ~ partner DIR. II. G.. Hen
ming, his sOn.in.law, who is now professor
In tile Memphis Hospital Medical college.
DR.. Frayser WAS married November 4, 1887,
10 Miss Pauline A. Brown, daughter q
William Brown, n native OF Nir-
ginia. Her mother was Miss Saunders.
sister Of Romulus NJ Saundess, OF NaSil-
Carolina, who was n member OF Congress
from that State for several terms, and
aiicrNard minister TO Spain. One Of Mrs.
, Frayser's hali.brothcrs, Capt Henderson,
was an officer In the United States army,
and adjutant on the siatl Of Gen. Gaines.
Mrs. Fraysor was left an orphan ut I'd
early age, but was tendeily cared for "A
Mrs. Dunn, wife OF DIR. Dudley Dunn
near Memphis She received her cducaS
ton nj lluntsyille Ala. and WIS n lady q
unusual intellectual powers and unblcm'
ished Christian character. She was a con1
sisient member OF the Methodist church,
from her sixteenth year 20 the time OF her
death, which occurred February 2S 1884.
"In politics DR.. Fmyscr was reared an
old line Whig. lie was great admircr
Of Henry Clay, for whom. lac always voted.
Since the war he has voted the Dcmocratio|
ticket, though he has never taken IN act
i've part In politics. lie has inyaria-
bly, refused 20 become candidaio
for public office, although often sot
licitcd 10 do No. lIe was several
times offered proicssofship In thd
Memphis Medical college, but declined,
believing that his duty 10 his clientele re-
quircd his whole attention.
lie became q member OF the lndcpcnd-
ont Order OF 0dd.fcllows in 1887, butt
has never held any office In the order. As
In politics he has been n quiet voter, 70 in
the lodge ho has been q silent member
"Dr. Fnyscr has been successful In ac-
quiring aud holding n very large practice,
due alike 10 his acknowledged skill and
attachments and the fidelity and prompt1
ness with which he has always responded
20 the calls OF the sick. For the accunu1
lalion OF money he never displayed any
special talent or desire. lie has been for1
inmate, however, In being associated wilt
bnsiness-like partners and thus abundant'
financial rewards have accompanied hisl
professional success. In the year 1865 bis
professional income alone WIS $1,000
perhaps the largest income Of the kind
ever enjoyed In Memphis.
"Dr. frayser has passed through all the
cpidemics with which Memphis has becu
afflicted ior the past fifty ycars, bcginnin1
with ASA rh0lera, the first year OF =
nridrncv mere. anl vnlirg with -
yellow fever IN 1879. Dr. fmyser had u
yellow fever himself IN 1873, bu, -
spared for further usctuinefs to bis iellov>