Death came very unexpectedly to one of this community's much respected citizens on Sunday last, in the person of Mr. Douglas Fraser, calling him to his reward in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Of recent years, Mr. Fraser had not been enjoying very robust health, but was able to be around pretty much all the time. On Sunday he was feeling exceptionally well, when all of a sudden he expired whilst sitting in a chair, succumbing to heart failure.
Mr. Fraser was born at Shakespeare, Ontario, on Feb. 21, 1848, where he grew up to manhood, being a son of the late Alexander and Mrs. Fraser (who still survives him). In his early years he followed farming, and was a noted plowman. Shortly after marrying Miss Katherine Hay, he went to live near Wingham in Huron county, in which vicinity they resided until 1906, when they came west to Pilot Mound and purchased the farm (33 2 11), on which he died. Before coming west, Mr. Fraser taught school for seventeen years at S.S. No. 2 Turnberry township (Ontario), and eight years at S. S. No. 9, same municipality. Since coming West he homesteaded on land north of Swift Current, Sask., besides attending to farming operations very successfully at his home near town. He was a Presbyterian in religion and a life long Liberal in politics.
His aged mother, eight sisters, a brother, widow, six sons and two daughters survive the deceased gentleman, whose remains were conveyed to Pilot Mound cemetery on Tuesday afternoon for interment, in the presence of a large number of friends and acquaintances, Rev. J. B. Clyde officiating at Knox United Church and grave, several of the brethren of Court Pilot, C.O.F., being present in a body. Three of the sons--Alexander, William and John--are living in the County of Kent, Ontario, while Peter, Douglas and Gordon live at home and near by. The daughters, Misses Jessie and Anabel (who returned on Monday from teaching school at Emerson) are at home with their mother. Other relatives are his sisters--Mrs. Murray of Palmerston; Mrs. McMillan, of Shakespeare; Mrs. T. Trow, and Mrs. (Dr.) S. T. Rutherford, of Stratford; Mrs. (Dr.) W. T. Parke, Woodstock, Mrs. W. Patterson, of Victoria, B.C., and Mrs. (Dr.) J. A. Rutherford and Lizzie at home with their mother in Shakespeare; and a brother, Alex Fraser of Shakespeare. Mr. and Mrs. Murray were visiting with Mr. Fraser at the time of his death.
A funeral service was held at the house at one o'clock and public worship in Knox Church at two o'clock. The brethren of Court Pilot, Canadian Order of Foresters, of which order Mr. Fraser was a member, attended in the capacity of pall bearers. Rev. Clyde preached to a crowded house from Rev. 20:8, and referred to the upright character of the deceased as being worthy of the highest emulation, and to Mr. Fraser's grip of the real principles of life. After singing "Asleep in Jesus," the cortege proceeded to the cemetery, and the beautiful and impressive funeral service of the Foresters, led by brothers Wm. Cruise and John Rathwell, completed the obsequies.
 |
| Fraser gravestone in Greenwood Cemetery, Pilot Mound, Manitoba |
