William Frederick Fratcher (1867-1947) was born on November 18, 1867 at Utica, Oneida County, New York, son of David W. Fratcher (1845-), and Mary Weidle Fratcher (1846-).

He appears to have been a stamp collector from his youth.

About 1884, he moved to Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan

Around late Fall or Winter Fratcher traded Dr. George Francis Heath (1850-1908), of Monroe, Michigan, a small 12" x 8' printing press in exchange for a collection of postage stamps. A few years later in 1888, Dr. Heath began to print The American Numismatist on this press with help from Fratcher getting the press to work properly.

He married Luella Maude Jackson (1869-1937). They had a son Vernon Claude Fratcher (1890-1964). They lived on Seventh Street, Detroit, Michigan.

He is listed in the 1896 Detroit City Directory as a Confectioner located at 344 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. These 19th century confectionery shops typically sold newspapers and tobacco.

In October 1898 he advertised buying U. S. Postage Stamps in the Detroit Free Press, Sunday, October 16, 1898, page 21. On November 13th the ad included Canadian and Revenue stamps. In September 1899 he advertised looking for pre-1851 canceled U. S. Postage Stamps.

Fratcher advertised in the April 1909 issue of Popular Mechanics, selling old coins selling an Illustrated Buying List for 10 cents.

In 1915, his confectionery, cigar and ice cream shop expanded to include a stamp and coin shop at 256 Michigan Avenue, Detroit called Michigan Stamp & Coin Company.

The 1917 Detroit City Directory lists him as the president of the Michigan Stamp & Coin Company. The Confectionery, Ice-Cream and Cigar store are now listed as run by his son Vernon C. Fratcher.

In 1925, he is listed as an ANA Member 2780 living at 912 Michigan Street, Detroit, Michigan.

Fratcher was also a member of the Detroit Coin Club in the 1920's.

In August 1936 he appears to be assembling a complete set of The Numismatist since he is advertising to purchase volumes he is lacking.

He died on December 2, 1947. A notice was published by the Detroit Coin Club in their minutes published in the January 1948 issue of The Numismatist on page 69.

To read the complete article, see:
FRATCHER, WILLIAM FREDERICK(https://sites.google.com/a/numismaticmall.com/www/numismaticmall-com/fratcher-william-frederick)

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