SIMPSON A. FRAZIER, an attorn ey-at-law located at Centralia, is also the senior member of the firm of FrazierA Leffel, and is a gentleman of fine education, logical mind, excellent business ability and high Christian character. After his name may be written the words of praise justly deserved, a self-made man, and his example of business activity, perseverance and indomitable energy may well be taken as an example by young men who, like himself, had to enter upon life without capital.
In Clark County, Ind., the subject of this sketch was born January 31, 1846. He is the son of Jacob Frazier, also a native of Indiana, who removed to Illinois and settled in Centralia when our subject was a lad of five years. The latter received the rudiments of his education in the neighboring schoolhouse, which, constructed of logs and containing few articles of furniture, was unattractive both in exterior appearance and interior aspect. He was also a student of the Centralia public schools, and afterward prosecuted his studies at Butler University, of Indianapolis, Ind., for three years.
Having resolved to enter upon the legal profession, Mr. Frazier entered the office of William Stoker and there conducted his studies until he was admitted to the Bar in 1861. Since that time he has been engaged in active practice, in which he has gained success. He makes a specialty of chancery and probate business, and also of collections, having the largest collecting business in the city. He is also a Notary Public. In the organization of the Centralia Building and Loan Association he was a prominent factor, has served as a Director and has been its attorney ever since the enterprise was established, with the exception of one year.
November 3, 1870, S. A. Frazier and Miss Eunice Ferris were united in marriage. Mrs. Frazier is a daughter of Enoch Ferris, formerly a prominent farmer of Hamilton County, Ohio, and now deceased. She was born and reared near Cincinnati and received an excellent education in Butler University. Three children have been born of the union, Edith, Allegra and Genevieve. The two eldest daughters are students in the Northern Indiana Normal, at Valparaiso, Ind.
Mr. Frazier, appreciating the advantage afforded by a good education, has always been a stanch advocate of the public school system and for a number of years has served as President of the Board of Education at Centralia.
In addition to his legal duties, Mr. Frazier is also interested in other enterprises. In 1886 he established the firm of Frazier & Leffel and the firm has since that time conducted an extensive business as marble and granite dealers.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Frazier is active in the ranks of the party and for twenty years has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee. Upon several occasions he has been a delegate to the state conventions and has served as Alderman of Centralia. No citizen of this place is more interested in its welfare than he, and in every way possible he seeks to promote the social, educational and religious advancement of the community.
Socially Mr. Frazier is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In religious belief he adheres to the doctrines of the Christian Church, with which he holds membership. In Sunday-school work he is especially interested and for fifteen years served as Superintendent at this place. He is a generous contributor to religious and charitable projects, and gives his support to every progressive measure calculated to advance the interests of the people.
His private library is the largest in Centralia and contains standard works of the best authors. Many of his happiest hours are spent with his books, and being a thoughtful reader, he has gained a broad fund of knowledge, which renders him a genial companion and an interesting conversationalist.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 345 - 346
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer