He was elected to the New York State Assembly, and later in his life became the Commissioner of Emigration and Commissioner of Public Charities for New York City.
[1][2][3] A Huguenot whose family immigrated from France, Frear was born on August 18, 1820; in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he received his schooling.
In 1848, he founded an importing house 'Alexander Frear & Company'.
[4] After the bankruptcy, Frear became involved in politics, getting elected to the New York City Council.
In 1865, and later 1866, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he served as William M. Tweed's spokesperson.