[3][4] Frayne worked in the business of sheet metal for Ambrose Mulley and W. C. Cowles of Providence.

[2][3] He then worked as an organizer for the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in northeastern Pennsylvania for nine years until early 1910.

[2] In July 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Frayne to the War Industries Board as a representative of labor.

[2] In December 1932, he was one of three receivers who took control of the New York local of the Motion Picture Operators Union.

[3] They had three sons, Joseph, John and Hugh Jr.[1][5][6] He was friends with Samuel Gompers and William Green.

[2] Later in life, he lived primarily in New York City, but also maintained a home at 1645 North Church Avenue in Scranton.