Born the son of a Dunbartonshire farmer, Fraser was apprenticed to Stewart & McDonald, a drapery warehouse in Glasgow, where he became a manager.[1]
In 1849, he formed a partnership with James Arthur, another Glasgow shop owner, to open a drapery shop in Buchanan Street in Glasgow.[1] Together they expanded the business developing in particular its wholesale business which Arthur took over completely in 1865.[1] Fraser then went into partnership with Alexander McLaren to develop the retail side of the business and expanded it into one of the largest stores in Glasgow.[1][2]
Fraser died in 1873 leaving his business to whichever of his five sons decided to take up a share in it: in the end three sons, one of whom was the father of Hugh Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of Allander, did so and the business continued to develop.[1][3]
