Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Frasher Family Biography

The Frashers are of Scotch ancestry, but under the spelling are not traceable. If, as seems likely, the name was Fraser or Frazer, the Scotch history is a very prominent one.

(I) The earliest record is of Peter Frasher, who moved to Virginia from New Jersey where his Scotch ancestors settled on coming to America. He settled near Winchester, Virginia, where he remained until 1810, when he located in Redstone township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, with his family. A few years later he removed to Franklin township where he purchased a farm which he later sold to his son Luke. when he moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he died. Part of this land is yet owned in the family. He married and left issue, including a son Luke, of whom further.

(II) Luke, son of Peter Frasher, was a resident of near Winchester, Virginia, where his earlier manhood was spent. He came to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, with his father in 1810, having then a wife and one child. He lived for a time in Redstone, later in Franklin township. He engaged in teaming on the old National Pike, which was constructed after the family came to Fayette county. He married and left issue, including a son James, of whom further.

(III) James, son of Luke Frasher, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 1814, died in October, 1878. He attended the common schools of that early day, and in boyhood worked on the farm. He later drove with his father, and himself became a wagoner on the "Old Pike" until the building of a railroad from Cumberland, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia, when he engaged in farming. He was a man of strong character and sterling integrity, greatly respected and honored in his community. He is buried with his wife in the old Redstone Baptist cemetery, both being attendants of the Baptist church. He married Eliza Jane Wheatley, born 1820, died December 9, 1891. The Wheatleys came to Fayette county from New Jersey, where the family were early settlers. Children born to James Frasher and wife were as follows: Sarah E., married Joseph Campbell, whom she survives; Mary Ann, died aged thirteen years; Job W., now of Corsica, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania; Luke H., of whom further; John B., now of Smock, Fayette county; Caroline, married Samuel Higinbothom, of Redstone township, Fayette county; Turner, died in infancy; William R., of Smock, Fayette county.

(IV) Luke H., son of James Frasher, was born in Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1853. He received his early education in the public schools, grew to youthful manhood on the home farm, and then entered the University of West Virginia at Morgantown, whence he was graduated A.B., class of 1876. Prior to entering the University he taught school, also at intervals during his college course. After graduation he continued teaching in Fayette county and West Virginia until 1878, when he began the study of law under the preceptorship of William H. Playford, of Uniontown. He was admitted to the Fayette county bar in March, 1880, and later to all state and federal courts. He at once opened a law office in Uniontown where he is now well established in a lucrative practice. He has also been and is identified with other business interests of the county, particularly the development of the coal and coke fields. He is a Democrat in politics, having always been identified actively with the party and influential in its councils. In 1889 he was the successful candidate of his party for district attorney of Fayette county, and gave three years of most efficient service in that important office.

For many years he has been a member of the executive committee of the Democratic county committee, serving both as secretary and chairman, also a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions of his party. He is prominent in the Masonic Order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the York Rite and is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (Pittsburgh Consistory); also is a member of the Knights of Pythias; for fourteen years was an enlisted member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, advancing from private of Company C through all appointive and elective rank to that of major of the Tenth Regiment, which rank he held at the time of his resignation from the citizens soldiery of the state. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Uniontown, and of the Country Club. Mr. Frasher is thoroughly progressive in his citizenship, stands for all that is best in modern civic and political government and is held in highest regard by all those with whom he is associated, whether in business, political or social life.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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