Biography:

Dr. Robert Nelson Fraser was born in Westmeath Township (Renfrew County), Ontario on the 18th of June, 1859.  Dr. Fraser was the youngest of 7 children born to Nelson Fraser and the former Margaret Kelly.  His parents were farmers and his father died just 6 months after his birth.  His siblings were; Isaac Fraser, Sarah Jane Fraser, William Henry Fraser, Thomas Fraser, George Allen Fraser and Charles Edwin Fraser (who died of typhoid fever in 1877 at the age of 20).  Dr. Fraser’s mother remarried when Dr. Fraser was 11 years old.  She married Edward Thompson on the 27th of December, 1870 and they had a son, A.J. Thompson.

Dr. Fraser attended Queen’s University Medical School, graduating in 1884.  He joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 24th of April, 1884.  Dr. Fraser worked as an assistant surgeon for the C.P.R. Lake Superior Division for a year earning enough money to further his medical studies in London, England.  After completing his medical training in England, he set up his medical practice in Thamesville in 1886.  He was listed in local business directories (1886, 1893, 1895 and 1900) as practicing in Thamesville.  An architect, by the name of J.L. Wilson (& son) built a fine home for Dr. Fraser in Thamesville in 1900.

Dr. Fraser married Amelia Devlin on the 8th of May, 1894 in Unionville, Ontario.  Mrs. Fraser was born in Vaughan Twp, Ontario on the 19th of August, 1867, the 11th of 12 children born to Hugh Devlin and the former Mary Ann McCurdy.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Samuel Lyman Devlin, Eleanor Devlin, John Devlin, Joseph Devlin, William Devlin, Hugh Devlin, Margaret Devlin, James K. Devlin, Mary Ann Devlin, George Daniel Devlin and Elizabeth Ann Devlin.

Dr. and Mrs. Fraser moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1921.  Dr. Fraser was a Councillor for the Municipality of Point Grey from 1925 to 1929.   He served as Alderman for 2 terms for the West Point Grey Ward.   Dr. Fraser was a member of the Greater Vancouver Health League.  In his obituary that appeared in the Vancouver Sun in the March 4th, 1940 edition, it was written, “(Dr. Nelson) devoted much time and study to the problems of municipal health and led (sic) a fight to control the spread of rats in the city.”

Dr. Fraser died at his residence in Vancouver on the 4th of March, 1940.  At the time of his death, he resided at 4595 West Sixth Avenue.  Mrs. Fraser died on the 9th of  March, 1959.  At the time of her death, Mrs. Fraser resided at 1315 W. 15th Avenue in Vancouver.  Dr. and Mrs. Fraser were interred at “The Abbey” of Ocean View Cemetery in Vancouver.