CHARLES D. FRAZEE, Port Jervis, New York.
The subject of this sketch, Charles D. Frazee, one of the best engineers on his division, was born in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1846. He left school at the age of 14 and engaged in farming until March 7, 1864, when, at Easton, Pa., he enlisted in Company M, 112th Pennsylvania, under Capt. A.P. Barber, and served until January 29, 1866, when he was honorably discharged, having participated in the battles of the Wilderness and Cold Harbor with the army of the Potomac, and was on duty during the reconstruction period.
Mr. Frazee's first railroad service was with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western as a brakeman, and the first trip out he was so badly injured as to lay him up for two months. In December, 1868, he began firing on the Erie, and after four years was promoted to engineer on January 1, 1871. For twenty-one years he pulled freight, being rewarded for faithful and efficient service in August, 1892, by advancement to a run on Nos. 5 and 12, the Chicago Limited, which he has held with great success ever since.
On November 2, 1870, Mr. Frazee was married to Miss Henrietta Alrich of Kingston, N.Y., and their union has been blessed with four children, two boys and two girls.
Mr. Frazee has encountered the usual dangers that harass the life of railroad men, but considers that he has come off luckily so far. In 1869, while firing engine 240, she struck a rock on the track at Handsome Eddy, where the embankment is seventy feet high and then slopes down to the river. The engine and fourteen cars went over into the river, Mr. Frazee and the engineer saving themselves by jumping.
He is a member of the B. of L.E.; Ustayanta Lodge No. 143, I.O.O.F., having occupied all the offices in the local lodge and is now a member of the Grand Lodge; he also belongs. to Carroll Post No. 279, G.A.R., and is at present Senior Vice Commander, serving his fourth term in this office.
Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.
From the January, 1908 issue of Erie Magazine (Port Jervis News):
Engineer C.D. Frazee was elected First Engineer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division No. 54, in January 1908.
From the January, 1910 issue of Erie Magazine (Port Jervis News):
Engineer C.D. Frazee was reported First Engineer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Division No. 54.
From the May, 1914 issue of Erie Magazine:
Engineer C.D. Frazee was commended by the Delaware Div. Superintendent for running 37,034 miles in passenger service without an engine failure.
From the June, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Engineer Charles Frazee of Port Jervis was presented with an honorary badge at a Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers meeting held at Port Jervis in May, 1914, signifying 40 years as a member of the organization.
From the April, 1916 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
The Erie Railroad has lost three good and faithful employees, they having been obliged to retire from the strenuous life by reason of their reaching the age of 70 years, at which period retirement is found to be necessary.
These men are T. Haslam, Brakeman, New York Division; C.D. Frazee, Engineer, Delaware Division; and E.J. Brush, Fireman, Delaware Division. Mr. Frazee retires with a record of 49 years to his credit. Each has received a felicitous and cordial letter of good will from the superintendent, wishing him well, good health and happiness.
From the March, 1936 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Charles D. Frazee, retired Delaware Division engineer, celebrated his 90th birthday last month at his home, 46 Douglas Ave., Yonkers, NY.