William Adolphus Fraser – Wallaceburg, Ontario

William Adolphus Fraser was a businessman and shipowner based in Wallaceburg, Ontario, during the late 19th century. He was the initial owner of the barge COLLINA and likely engaged in the timber and transportation industries, which were cornerstones of the Wallaceburg economy at the time. The Sydenham River connected Wallaceburg to Lake St. Clair and the broader Great Lakes, making it a vital conduit for shipping timber, grain, and other goods.

As the owner of the COLLINA, Fraser would have overseen the barge’s operation in transporting timber products, such as wooden bolts, between Wallaceburg, nearby markets, and larger ports like Detroit. Shipowners like Fraser often owned multiple vessels, managing their transport routes and coordinating with sawmills, suppliers, and buyers. Fraser’s investment in the COLLINA suggests he played an active role in the lumber trade, capitalizing on the demand for raw materials in urban centers undergoing industrial expansion.

While further specific records of Fraser’s other ventures are scarce, his activities in Wallaceburg were representative of local entrepreneurs who supported and expanded the regional economy through maritime trade.