Last Surviving Veteran of the Indian Wars. Born in Posen, Germany, he came to America in 1877 with his parents and brothers and settled in Chicago. Fraske joined the army on Feb 22, 1894, at age 22 in order to help his widowed mother support the family. As a private, he was assigned to Fort D.A. Russell near Cheyenne, Wyoming as a litter bearer with company F, 17th infantry earning nine dollars a month. He claimed only one encounter during his years in service and that ended peacefully. He never fought any hostiles and they never attacked. In a 1966 interview, he explained, "We were all prepared for it. The Indians weren't bad eggs, not more than anyone else, but they've been abused. We had no serious trouble with them." Fraske was discharged after three years and three months of service. He returned to Chicago and worked as a painter and decorator until age 65. He then worked for 23 years as guard for the Salerno-Megowan Biscuit Company until he retired at age 88. He died at home in Chicago at 101 years of age.
Last Surviving Veteran of the Indian Wars. Born in Posen, Germany, he came to America in 1877 with his parents and brothers and settled in Chicago. Fraske joined the army on Feb 22, 1894, at age 22 in order to help his widowed mother support the family. As a private, he was assigned to Fort D.A. Russell near Cheyenne, Wyoming as a litter bearer with company F, 17th infantry earning nine dollars a month. He claimed only one encounter during his years in service and that ended peacefully. He never fought any hostiles and they never attacked. In a 1966 interview, he explained, "We were all prepared for it. The Indians weren't bad eggs, not more than anyone else, but they've been abused. We had no serious trouble with them." Fraske was discharged after three years and three months of service. He returned to Chicago and worked as a painter and decorator until age 65. He then worked for 23 years as guard for the Salerno-Megowan Biscuit Company until he retired at age 88. He died at home in Chicago at 101 years of age.
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Frederick Fraske
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