Benjamin is the son of John and Ellen (Wiley) Frazee who came to Illinois in 1831 from Clermont County, Ohio.
Decatur Herald 10/13/1921
Benjamin F. Frazee said to be the first white child born in Decatur, died Wednesday morning in the home of his sister, Mrs.Sarah Henson. He was born Feb. 28, 1834. Funeral services will be conducted in the home of Mrs. Henson Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
In recent years B. F. Frazee had been in feeble health and unable to do more than walk about his home. But his mind was active and his greatest delight was to interest young people with stories of some of his experiences in Pioneer days not only in Macon county but in California to which state he journeyed in the gold rush of 1849. His parents came to Decatur from Ohio in 1831.
Benjamin Frazee said he could remember that when he was a small boy and his family home was on the west side of Stevens creek he saw Indians and was generally alarmed but was assured by his father that red men were kindly disposed. Going to California when he was 16 years of age, Mr. Frazee remained there for 34 years. In recounting his experiences he was fond of telling that when he went to California he had never heard of such a thing as a locomotive but that when he came back to Illinois he rode on the cars. When he attended the Old Settler picnic in 1919, he commented to some friends:
I didn't not get much of an education as an education is known these days. I learned to read and write of course. That was about the limit in this county when I was a boy. I am glad that I lived among men in the situations in which I found them in the pioneer days. I believe that you come to know men more intimately if you live with them as I have done. I can't show any money that I made because of those experiences but I believe that I learned to know my fellowman as I would have not been able to do so under any circumstances. I can't get any cash out of that but it is much satisfaction for me to have that notice.
Benjamin Frazee remembered much of the history of the country of an early days and he was able to give assistance many times to persons seeking information concerning pioneer days in Macon county.
From the Central Genealogical Society
Before Benjamin Frazee died, he had the record of being the oldest man born in Decatur then alive. His folks came from Ohio in 1831 and settled in Decatur.
Obituary furnished by Janet Donner
----------------------------------------------------
A little known fact that never appeared in any of the numerous stories in Decatur newspapers when recounting the life and memories of Benjamin Franklin Frazee, is that he twice served time in San Quentin Prison for horse stealing while in California. His allies were given longer sentences for robbing a stage coach. His second sentence appears to have been shortened for his testimony in the trial of a murderer with regards to the gun used in committing the crime, and his early release may also have come with a stipulation to leave California and never come back. After his final release from prison, he and his wife, Mary A. Miller, divorced and he returned to Decatur with his young son after being away for 34 years. His wife remained in California with their two daughters. Back in Decatur, Ben lived a quiet farming life on his sister's farm.
Decatur Herald 10/13/1921
Benjamin F. Frazee said to be the first white child born in Decatur, died Wednesday morning in the home of his sister, Mrs.Sarah Henson. He was born Feb. 28, 1834. Funeral services will be conducted in the home of Mrs. Henson Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
In recent years B. F. Frazee had been in feeble health and unable to do more than walk about his home. But his mind was active and his greatest delight was to interest young people with stories of some of his experiences in Pioneer days not only in Macon county but in California to which state he journeyed in the gold rush of 1849. His parents came to Decatur from Ohio in 1831.
Benjamin Frazee said he could remember that when he was a small boy and his family home was on the west side of Stevens creek he saw Indians and was generally alarmed but was assured by his father that red men were kindly disposed. Going to California when he was 16 years of age, Mr. Frazee remained there for 34 years. In recounting his experiences he was fond of telling that when he went to California he had never heard of such a thing as a locomotive but that when he came back to Illinois he rode on the cars. When he attended the Old Settler picnic in 1919, he commented to some friends:
I didn't not get much of an education as an education is known these days. I learned to read and write of course. That was about the limit in this county when I was a boy. I am glad that I lived among men in the situations in which I found them in the pioneer days. I believe that you come to know men more intimately if you live with them as I have done. I can't show any money that I made because of those experiences but I believe that I learned to know my fellowman as I would have not been able to do so under any circumstances. I can't get any cash out of that but it is much satisfaction for me to have that notice.
Benjamin Frazee remembered much of the history of the country of an early days and he was able to give assistance many times to persons seeking information concerning pioneer days in Macon county.
From the Central Genealogical Society
Before Benjamin Frazee died, he had the record of being the oldest man born in Decatur then alive. His folks came from Ohio in 1831 and settled in Decatur.
Obituary furnished by Janet Donner
----------------------------------------------------
A little known fact that never appeared in any of the numerous stories in Decatur newspapers when recounting the life and memories of Benjamin Franklin Frazee, is that he twice served time in San Quentin Prison for horse stealing while in California. His allies were given longer sentences for robbing a stage coach. His second sentence appears to have been shortened for his testimony in the trial of a murderer with regards to the gun used in committing the crime, and his early release may also have come with a stipulation to leave California and never come back. After his final release from prison, he and his wife, Mary A. Miller, divorced and he returned to Decatur with his young son after being away for 34 years. His wife remained in California with their two daughters. Back in Decatur, Ben lived a quiet farming life on his sister's farm.
Benjamin is the son of John and Ellen (Wiley) Frazee who came to Illinois in 1831 from Clermont County, Ohio.
Decatur Herald 10/13/1921
Benjamin F. Frazee said to be the first white child born in Decatur, died Wednesday morning in the home of his sister, Mrs.Sarah Henson. He was born Feb. 28, 1834. Funeral services will be conducted in the home of Mrs. Henson Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
In recent years B. F. Frazee had been in feeble health and unable to do more than walk about his home. But his mind was active and his greatest delight was to interest young people with stories of some of his experiences in Pioneer days not only in Macon county but in California to which state he journeyed in the gold rush of 1849. His parents came to Decatur from Ohio in 1831.
Benjamin Frazee said he could remember that when he was a small boy and his family home was on the west side of Stevens creek he saw Indians and was generally alarmed but was assured by his father that red men were kindly disposed. Going to California when he was 16 years of age, Mr. Frazee remained there for 34 years. In recounting his experiences he was fond of telling that when he went to California he had never heard of such a thing as a locomotive but that when he came back to Illinois he rode on the cars. When he attended the Old Settler picnic in 1919, he commented to some friends:
I didn't not get much of an education as an education is known these days. I learned to read and write of course. That was about the limit in this county when I was a boy. I am glad that I lived among men in the situations in which I found them in the pioneer days. I believe that you come to know men more intimately if you live with them as I have done. I can't show any money that I made because of those experiences but I believe that I learned to know my fellowman as I would have not been able to do so under any circumstances. I can't get any cash out of that but it is much satisfaction for me to have that notice.
Benjamin Frazee remembered much of the history of the country of an early days and he was able to give assistance many times to persons seeking information concerning pioneer days in Macon county.
From the Central Genealogical Society
Before Benjamin Frazee died, he had the record of being the oldest man born in Decatur then alive. His folks came from Ohio in 1831 and settled in Decatur.
Obituary furnished by Janet Donner
----------------------------------------------------
A little known fact that never appeared in any of the numerous stories in Decatur newspapers when recounting the life and memories of Benjamin Franklin Frazee, is that he twice served time in San Quentin Prison for horse stealing while in California. His allies were given longer sentences for robbing a stage coach. His second sentence appears to have been shortened for his testimony in the trial of a murderer with regards to the gun used in committing the crime, and his early release may also have come with a stipulation to leave California and never come back. After his final release from prison, he and his wife, Mary A. Miller, divorced and he returned to Decatur with his young son after being away for 34 years. His wife remained in California with their two daughters. Back in Decatur, Ben lived a quiet farming life on his sister's farm.
Decatur Herald 10/13/1921
Benjamin F. Frazee said to be the first white child born in Decatur, died Wednesday morning in the home of his sister, Mrs.Sarah Henson. He was born Feb. 28, 1834. Funeral services will be conducted in the home of Mrs. Henson Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
In recent years B. F. Frazee had been in feeble health and unable to do more than walk about his home. But his mind was active and his greatest delight was to interest young people with stories of some of his experiences in Pioneer days not only in Macon county but in California to which state he journeyed in the gold rush of 1849. His parents came to Decatur from Ohio in 1831.
Benjamin Frazee said he could remember that when he was a small boy and his family home was on the west side of Stevens creek he saw Indians and was generally alarmed but was assured by his father that red men were kindly disposed. Going to California when he was 16 years of age, Mr. Frazee remained there for 34 years. In recounting his experiences he was fond of telling that when he went to California he had never heard of such a thing as a locomotive but that when he came back to Illinois he rode on the cars. When he attended the Old Settler picnic in 1919, he commented to some friends:
I didn't not get much of an education as an education is known these days. I learned to read and write of course. That was about the limit in this county when I was a boy. I am glad that I lived among men in the situations in which I found them in the pioneer days. I believe that you come to know men more intimately if you live with them as I have done. I can't show any money that I made because of those experiences but I believe that I learned to know my fellowman as I would have not been able to do so under any circumstances. I can't get any cash out of that but it is much satisfaction for me to have that notice.
Benjamin Frazee remembered much of the history of the country of an early days and he was able to give assistance many times to persons seeking information concerning pioneer days in Macon county.
From the Central Genealogical Society
Before Benjamin Frazee died, he had the record of being the oldest man born in Decatur then alive. His folks came from Ohio in 1831 and settled in Decatur.
Obituary furnished by Janet Donner
----------------------------------------------------
A little known fact that never appeared in any of the numerous stories in Decatur newspapers when recounting the life and memories of Benjamin Franklin Frazee, is that he twice served time in San Quentin Prison for horse stealing while in California. His allies were given longer sentences for robbing a stage coach. His second sentence appears to have been shortened for his testimony in the trial of a murderer with regards to the gun used in committing the crime, and his early release may also have come with a stipulation to leave California and never come back. After his final release from prison, he and his wife, Mary A. Miller, divorced and he returned to Decatur with his young son after being away for 34 years. His wife remained in California with their two daughters. Back in Decatur, Ben lived a quiet farming life on his sister's farm.
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