California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN WILLIAM FRASER: Conspicuous among the successful horticulturists of Tulare 
countv is John W. Fraser, whose finely improved fruit ranch lies four miles southeast of Dinuba. 
Born of Scotch ancestry, August 20, 1856. in Mansfield, Mass., he is the son of the late Rob- 
ert John and Anna (Forbes) Fraser. Further history of his parents and ancestors may be found 
elsewhere in this historical work, in connection with the sketch of his brother, Abner Fraser. 

Coming from Omaha, Neb., to California in 1870. he completed his education, which was 
begun in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and continued in Omaha, in the public schools of Visalia. 
Beginning life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty 
acres of land on section 22, and took up a timber claim equally as large in the same section. 
Proving up on the preemption, and homesteading the timber claim. Mr. Fraser became owner 
of three hundred and twenty acres of good land in the east half of the section on which he set- 
tled, and for a number of seasons was successfully employed in raising grain. As soon as the 
ditch was put through, Mr. Fraser took advantage of the irrigation furnished, and began the 
growing of fruit. In 1890 he set out an orchard, later improved a vineyard, sowing the remainder 
to alfalfa. He subsequently sold a part of his ranch, and now has one hundred and thirty 
acres of land, thirty of which is in orchard, eighty acres are devoted to the culture of grapes of 
various kinds, and twenty acres are sowed to alfalfa. On his ranch he has made excellent 
improvements, including the erection of a fine residence and substantial farm buildings, which, 
with their pleasant environments, invariably attract the attention of the passing traveler, win- 
ning from him words of praise and admiration. In Tulare county, not far from Dinuba, Mr. 
Fraser married Allie Roork. who was born near Visalia, a daughter of the late Thomas Roork, a 
pioneer farmer of this county. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fraser two children have been 
born, Warren J. and Grace, both of whom are at home. Politically Mr. Fraser is identified 
with the Republican party, which he supports by voice and vote.