William E. Frasier

William Evet Frasier came to Texas from Alabama in the winter of 1872-1873, visiting many different areas of the state. He returned to Alabama and lived there until December 1877, after which he moved back to Texas and set up residence in Fannin County. Later he moved to Oceola, Hill County, Texas. While there, he farmed with his father and brother-in-law and also did various kinds of rock, brick and woodwork.

In 1903, William went to Chamal with the second group of Blalock Mexico colony Colonists. In November 1905, he moved his family to Chamal. With his third wife, Emma (Merchant), and children, he set up and began to operate his general store. His store was located on the plaza in the city of Chamal across from James Howard Shafer's (my grandfather on my Dad's side), store.

Before long, the Shafer's son, James Edward began courting one of William Frasier's daughters, Robbie Ann. They were married October 11, 1908, in Ocampo, Mexico. They continued to live in Chamal, and their four oldest children were born there.

The families enjoyed a prosperous life as the colony thrived. All families owned their own land. They farmed, fished, hunted and ran their businesses. However, this pleasant way of life was disrupted in 1913, after the assassination of Mexico's President Madero and Vice-President Suarez. The revolution, which had been brewing since about 1910, became full-scale when military leader Huerta took power of the Mexican government.

Residents received orders to evacuate Mexico from the United States Department of State. Over the next few years, and during various phases of the revolution, most all of the residents of the Colony returned to the United States. The colonists reluctantly fled for their lives. Between outbreaks of rebellion and violence, many made attempts at returning to what was left of their homes in Chamal.

William Frasier's family went to Dallas County, Texas, and James H. Shafer's family went to Wharton County, Texas. Both James and his wife died there, he in 1916 and she in 1918. In April of 1915, William and his son-in-law, James E. Shafer returned to Chamal. They made an attempt to bring life back to the Colony. They and others tried to rebuild Chamal into the paradise it once had been. This ended when hostilities of the revolution elevated further threatening the lives of colonists. Ed Shafer and his family moved to El Campo, Texas, and the Frasier's moved to Hill County. William again returned to Chamal, a place he loved, and died on Oct 9, 1921, in Chamal, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He was burried in the Blalock Mexico Colony Cemetery.