My Genealogy Hound

Frasier McVean (deceased) was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., November 22, 1835, and was the son of the well-known Col. Daniel McVean, of that place. He grew to maturity in his native State, and received an excellent education, graduating also from the Detroit Commercial College. From the time he was seventeen years of age until 1857 he was engaged in teaching. When about twenty years old he went to Chicago, Ill., and during most of two years gave his attention to teaching. Coming thence to Boonville, Cooper Co., Mo., after some time he began teaching school at Locust Grove, followed by a term at Old Mount Moriah. He then engaged in the stock business, and in 1865 purchased the farm on which his widow is now residing, on which he located in the fall of that year. His enterprises were quite successful, and throughout life he took an active interest in the development of the country. He was also a patron of education, and was also a church-going man, but was not a member. He was a Master Mason, and in his political views was a Democrat. June 14, 1864, he was married to Miss Calpurnie Alexander, who was born in Cooper County, November 16, 1843, and by her had a family of five children: Lela May, born January 1, 1868, married F. B. Lander, January 26, 1887; Willie A., John D., Alpha E., and Ida Grace, born June 7, 1865, died July 20, 1869, at the age of four years. All the children are at home, and receiving good educational advantages. Mrs. McVean is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her parents, Alfred and Alpha (Stephens) Alexander, came from Kentucky to Missouri, and after residing a short time in Cole County, took up their abode in Cooper County, where Mrs. McVean was born. Here the father died in 1877, at the age of seventy-one years, and the mother in 1878, at the age of sixty-five. They were members of the Baptist Church, and their union was blessed by ten children, six of whom are now living: Mary (Stinson), of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Peter S., of Lone Jack, Mo.; Joanna (Wood), of California, Mo.; Katie(Idol), of Raymond, Kas.; Alfred B., on the old homestead, and Calpurnie (Mrs. McVean). Those deceased are Eliza, Elizabeth (Howard), Alpha (Wood), Dr. N. C., of Litchfield, Ill.; James B., of Houstonia, Pettis Co., Mo., and Alphia (Wood), of California, Mo.