3. William C. Fraser was born at Hartford, Wisconsin, April 6, 1852. In the autumn of 1855 he moved to what was later the Village of Woodland, Hubbard Township, Wisconsin. His school days began in his fifth year at the public school in the village. The family moved to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, in 1866 and William attended the high school there part of one year. In 1869 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway as freight brakeman and in 1871 he was promoted to freight conductor between La Crosse and Portage, Wisconsin. He resigned in 1876 and located at Westfield. He then learned the harness trade, and in 1879 he opened a shop at Montello, Wisconsin, which he conducted four years.

In 1881 William moved to Odessa, Minnesota, and followed his trade there for a short time. Later he was appointed postmaster and notary public. In order that his children might receive the higher branches of education not obtainable in the grade school at Odessa, the family moved to Ortonville, Minnesota, in 1886. For several years Mr. Fraser was a traveling salesman for pianos, organs, and sewing machines. He served as town clerk two or more years.

In 1913 he was forced to resign from active service because of the serious condition of his health. He died of cancer at the home of a daughter, Mrs Charlotte Campbell, December 27, 1914, and was buried in Mound Cemetery, Ortonville, Minnesota. He was highly respected by his fellow citizens and was universally mourned.

He married Sarah Dahl, of Portage, Wisconsin, in 1872. She died in February, 1924, predeceased by her husband ten years.

Children:

3a. Ella Nora B 03 MAR 1873
3b. Charlotte B APR 1875
3c. Odessa May B 17 AUG 1878
3d. Irvin W. B 26 MAY 1881 D 03 JAN 1886
3e. Myrtle Grace B 19 SEP 1883
3f. William Eugene B 20 MAR 188_
3g. Bernice