The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-05-15

WERE FeHdtTeU ny MIS-. virginia
Knight Logan and Mr.. Claire Gordon.
In the eloquent and fitting eulogy de-
livered by Rev. Cave he quoted from
the two fayorite poems cherished by
the deceased, closing with recital
of part OF Crossing the Bar" One
OF the songs rendered was Jesus
Lover of My Sonl," quotations from
which were the last words on the dy
ing mans lip" The funeral was under
the auspices of the Masonic fratern
ity, Tri-luminar Lodge No. IS, A. f. &
A. M. being in charge and De Paynes
|Commandery acting as escort. Oska
loosa Lodge No. $40 B. p. o. Elks was
also present in a body. The ritual
Iistic part of the ceremonies were con
Quoted at the house in place of at the
grave as is the general custom, and
the lecture was delivered by Mr.. O.
N. Wagley, of Newton, one of the
state lecturers of the Grand Lodge
IL was beautiful recital OF the be-
liefs and the hopes of the order and
a mastery rendition OF the parting
words of the brotherhood to its mem,
bers. The pail bearers we're Messrs
H. l.. Spencer, III. S. Howard C. f.
Lofiand, w. p. Hawkins, r. NJ. Boyer
DR.. B. o. Jerrel and r. X. Davis.
Mr.. Fraker was one of the best
known citizens of Oskaloosa and q
|staunch 81 supporter of those things
that combine for the good of the town
and it's people. He was a quiet un.
assuming man but he possessed a
firmness of character that stood solid
as foundation rock. Oskaloosa first
knew George fraker back in the early
eighties when he was regularly call
ed in the town to wait upon custom,
ers in the shoe trade. He liked the
town and its people and he was in
turn well thought of by those here
who knew him. Opportunity for a
business opening in Oskaloosa was
offered by Fraker when he purchased
the shoe store of w. P. Hawkins &
Company, No. Ill High avenue east
now the location of the Hamilton &
Hamilton store. This was about 1891
and for number of years Mr.. Fraker
conducted a popular and profitable
business. He came to Oskaloosa at
a time when the mining operations
were at the height of their activity
and together with some business
ASSOCIATES. Nh. Fraker became inter.
ested financially in numerous mining
properties and operations He dis
posed OF other interests TO give per.
sonal attention to the new field OF &C
tivity. He has been successful i'm all
of his ventures and his name has a
permanent place in the history of the
development o. mines in southeastern
Iowa. Mr. Fraker took up the mining
work about 1895, being associated in
the old Lost Creek property south OF
Oskaloosa with II. L. Spencer and c.
Il and f.. G. Lofiand and others. lie
later was associated with MI. Spen.
Ger and Dan Riegel in the Regal Com.
pany operating the old Monkey
Nest" Mr.. Fraker and Mr.. Riegel
next opened a property near Buxton
in which they operated successfully
through a term of years. The La.
konta Coal Comapny" at Lakonta
was organized by the deceased in
1909, and about thegsame time the
Royal Coal Company, operating q
property in the vicinity of Buxton
At the time of death Mr.. Fraker
with Mr.. Riegel, was operating a
property at Fraker, in Monroe county
under the firm name of the Regal
Coal Company.
He was a man universally liked. He
was firm but always just and as one
OF his men said Of him, He liked to
see the other fellow getting some
thing while he was getting his" He
was a man highly esteemed both by
his men and by his associate operat.
Ors, and his Judgment was courted in
the councils of the mine owners and
operators.
Mr.. Fraker has had an Office in the
Oskaloosa National Bank building for
years and his associates therein have
only words of highest praise for him
John l.. Jones, who has been associat
ed with Mr.. Fraker in the office work
for an extended period OF years, says
of him: He was the best man | have
ever known. He was quiet and re,
served, but was moved by kindly inn
pulses. Not once since | have been
with him in the office or at the mine
have ] ever heard an unkind or cross
word uttered by this man."
MI. Fraker was a native of Ohio
born April 10, 1857, and was Sc years
and 25 days OF age at the time of his
death. He leaves to mourn his un.
timely death, widow and one son,
George Fraker, Jr, and the entire
community in his passing sustains an
irreparable loss.