Charles Frederick Fraser (1850 - 1925)

Ancestors

Biography

Sir Charles Frederick Fraser was the first superintendent (1873-1923) of the Halifax School for the Blind, the first residential school for the blind in Atlantic Canada. He was knighted in 1915.

He was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1850. He was the son of Benjamin Fraser and Elizabeth Allison. ^[1][2] Charles was baptized by Rev John Murdoch on 31 Mar 1850.^[3]

A childhood accident when he was seven led eventually to complete blindness by 1872.^[4] He was educated at Perkins Institute for the Blind, Boston MA; 1873-1923 superintendent of the The Halifax Asylum for the Blind/1884 renamed Halifax School for the Blind (HSB) later renamed NS School for the Blind. After his death the school was named for him.

Along with academic education, the school taught Phys Ed, small crafts, music, and typewriting. In 1880 he initiated a home study course to prepare incoming students for non student adults which led to the Home Teaching Society for the Blind of the Maritime Provinces & Newfoundland (NF). In 1881 he introduced a Braille lending library. He was a successful lobbyist for free education for the blind in Nova Scotia (legislated in 1882), free postage for Braille products (passed in 1898), and the reporting of certain eye diseases so that they could be successfully treated (1911). From 1884-1894 he edited The Critic, a literary and commercial journal; mem. North British Society, pres 1885.^[2][5] In1889 a possible petitioner for the incorporation of The Mineral Exploration Co Ltd.^[6] In 1890 a possible petitioner for the incorporation of the Dartmouth Tram Power Co Ltd.^[2][7] In 1892 a C F Fraser was a possible petitioner for the incorporation of the Church Hospital Association. of the Diocese of NS. In 1893 Mineral Exploration Co changes its name to Dominion Smelting & Refining Co Ltd. In 1894 a possible petitioner for the incorporation of the NS General Electric Co Ltd. By 1894 Bd of Director of the NS Telephone Co. A one time president [citation needed]. In 1901 @ the H.S.B. created the Cdn Printing House for the Blind. In 1908 a promoter of the NS League for the Care and Protection of Feeble-minded Persons. In 1909 supported the formation of the Maritime Association for the Blind, a self-help group concerned with providing employment opportunities for the blind. On 27 Mar 1913 called to the Bar of the NS House of Assembly to receive thanks for said work. In Jun 1915 created a Knight Bachelor by His Majesty, King George V. In 1915 during WWI trained blinded soldiers. In 1916 began Endowment Fund for the Blind to generate additional revenue for the school which became the Maritime Association for the Blind. In 1917 the Halifax Explosion required changes w/influx of blinded Haligonians & the lost of the usual students. An eye clinic was established, and extension classes in cooking and sewing were conducted. In 1918 served as a consultant to both the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and the Ontario government & - supported founding of the CNIB^{[2] [5]}In 1921 a petitioner for the incorporation of Rainbow Haven Ltd (a home for all poor, crippled children).^[8]

He lectured and promoted traveling concerts to raise money for the school. He also promoted the establishment of special workshops for the blind so that they led independent, self-supporting lives under the guidance of the Maritime Association for the Blind. He presented several papers to national and international meetings in his field. He was the first president of the Halifax Canadian Club and vice-president of the Halifax Archaeological Institute. He worked for the Electoral Reform League and the British Empire League. He served as President of the Trinidad Consolidated Tel [citation needed] and was a board member of Eastern Trust & Empire Trust.

He earned honorary degrees from King's College, Windsor, Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.. A member of the Church of England.

He lived at the School for the Blind, Halifax, and in a summer residence, Farraline, Bedford, Nova Scotia. He passed away in 1925.

Family

Sir Charles Frederick Fraser (4 Jan 1850- 5 Jul 1925) born Windsor NS; bap 31 Mar 1850 md 1 - 28 Sep 1891 - Elizabeth J Hunter (-1909) md 2 - 15 Jun 1910 Lady Jane Catherine Roxby Stevens (1874-19 Oct 1967) Jane his 2nd wife was from Brooklyn Hants County NS Ch: Charles Frederick (1911-1962) ^{[2] [5] [9] [10] [7] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]}

Sources

1. ↑ 'History of Nova Scotia', p. 469-470 Online here
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Weis, R L Rev: Descendants of The Hon. Benjamin DeWolf ... 1963
3. ↑ Fraser Family Bible, 1800-1900's, Windsor, Nova Scotia. https://novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/613368
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Frederick_Fraser Wikipedia entry for Sir Frederick Fraser
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} West Hants Historical Society: Fraser Family File; Muriel Russell Scrapbook collection
6. ↑ NS Statutes 1889 Chap 116, page 235-241.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} 29-NS Statutes 1890 Chap 189 pe 388-393
8. ↑ NS Statutes 1921 Chap 186, page 745-747.
9. ↑ THJ 2 Jan 1935
10. ↑ Belchers Farmer Almanack ... NS ...1894
11. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157353434/charles-frederick-fraser: accessed 23 Dec 2023), memorial page for Charles Frederick Fraser Jr. (17 Mar 1912–28 Nov 1961), Find A Grave: Memorial #157353434, citing Camp Hill Cemetery, Halifax, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada; Maintained by (contributor 48753018). (Relatives FG added as a reference...)
12. ↑ Biography – FRASER, Sir CHARLES FREDERICK – Volume XV (1921-1930) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
13. ↑ 28a-NS Statutes 1889 Chap 116 pe 235-241
14. ↑ 30-NS Statutes 1892 Chap 134 pe 281
15. ↑ 32-NS Statutes 1894 Chap 86 pe 255-263
16. ↑ Prominent People of the Maritime Provs
17. ↑ Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, Records of the Halifax Funeral Home, 90 Dresden Row, then, 8270 Quinpool Road. 1939-1969
18. ↑ NovaMuse : Artifact : Bible [94.979.2.a] [Fraser Family Bible, 1800-1900's, Windsor, Nova Scotia. https://novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/613368]