Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1910-05-05
CAPT JOHN FRATER
Dies of Pneumonia at Shreye
port, La.

Capt. John Frater, pioneer citizen
of this valley, but residing with his
sons, Drs. j. J. and F. j. Frater, at
Shreveport, La, died Wednesday night
of last week of pneumonia. Funeral
services were held at A O. clock Thurs
day from the residence of the family
Besides his sons he is survived by two
sisters, Miss Hannah Frater, residing
at Shreveport, and Mrs. Bessie Scott,
living in Alabama. No intimation
had been received here of his illness,
and his sudden death was cause of
much regret. He was estimable in
every way. and great factor in the
development of this section.
The following is short history of
his life: He was born Dec. 10, 1882,
at Penshaw, County of Durham, Eng
land. and was son of William and
Hannah (Stobart) Frater, the former
born in 1904 near Chatershaugh, the
latter at the Ship House in Ravens
worth, County Durham, in 1908, on
the estate of Lord Ravensworth.
Their marriage was celebrated in 1881,
at Lamesley Church on the same es-
tate. The mother, who was daugh-
ter of farmer, died at her home in
England at the age of 48 years. She
was a devoted member Of the Wesleyan
Church and was buried in the Chester
ly churchyard. Capt. Frater was the
oldest of her children, the others be-
ing: Bessie, who died in childhood,
Lizzie, now the widow of Charles
Scott, and resident of Birmingham,
Ala; Aaron, who died at the age of
eight years; Willie, who died of ty-
phoid fever at the age of six years;
Hannah, who lives at Shreveport, La;
James, who died at Capt. Frater's S
home in Marion county and who was
buried at the Pryor graveyard. In
1856 the father crossed the Atlantic
and located in Allegheny County, Pa,
where be followed his occupation of
sinking pits. In 1860 he came to the
Etna mines in Marion County, Tenn,
where he remained twelve years, and
then went to Coal Creek, Anderson
County, dying there in 1874, his re-
mains being inferred there.
At eight years old Capt. Frater COM
menced working in the mines of his
native land. He then entered night
school where he pursued his studies
until he attained his majority, in this
way acquiring a good, practical edu-
cation, while continuing his work as a
miner By special license he was mar
ried at Liverpool, England, in 1854 to
Miss Mary Watson, and the following
day they started for America on the
"City of Philadelphia. After being
out eight days they were ship-wreck-
ed off the coast of Newfoundland
The vessel was lost but the passengers
we're all saved and taken to st. Johns,
Newfoundland, where they remained
for ten days. Mr.. and Mrs. Frater
then proceeded to Halifax, Nova SEQ
tia, and two days later to Boston,
Mass, and then to McKeesport, Penn.
There they made their home until
1857, where he was employed in coal
mines, and making coke. He then
went to Illinois and after two years
came to Marion Co., Tenn. He loca-
ted at the Etna Mines, and stayed
there 10 years. He opened up the
mines there and at Castle Rock, Ala,
near Shellmound, Coal Greek and Vic
toria and Whitwell mines. About 1889
he purchased his home in Victoria,
Tenn. Mrs. Frater died in May, 1894,
and was buried in the Pryor cemetery.
He resided at Victoria until 1908 and
since then in Louisiana. He was Re-
publican in politics, of conserva-
tive character, and belonged to the
Masonic fraternity.