Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-10
DEATH OF WILLIAM FRAZIER, Esq.

and reward and with calm resignation,
William Frazier died at his late residence
in this city Sabbath night, the 18th instant
at II o'clock and Is minutes, in the 73rd
year of his age.
Born and reared in Augusta county, and
accustomed in his boyhood to observe the
stirring and familiar scenes at that time
along the great thoroughfares of the coun-
try which conducted the primitive modes
of travel and transportation between the
East and the West he doubtless received
impressions then of the value practical
training would add to the cultured mind,
and the influence which spirit and energy
associated with literary accomplishments
would secure to an aspiring youth.
Entering in his tender years the classical
school of the late Rev. DR.. Hendren, loca-
ted near the home of his father, his prog
ress was rapid, and succeeding in his class
es with that application and resolution
which his after life SO well illustrated, in
1881, his father transferred him to Yale
College, where he pursued, with his accus-
toned diligence and finely developing re-
sources of mind and quick perceptions, a
thorough course, emitting him to the de-
gree of Master of Arts from that venerable
institution.
After returning from Yale College he en-
tered the University of Virginia, gradua-
ting with the degree of Bachelor of Law,
and was also awarded Diploma in Medi-
cal jurisprudence. He was admitted to
the Bar in October, 1884, and for while
was associated with the late Hon. John
Howe fp=zton in the practice of law.
In November, 1o47, Mr.. Frazier was uni
ted in marriage with Miss Sue Massie,
daughter of James A Lewis of Charleston,
West Va. Mrs. Frazier and nine Of their
children survive the deceased.
The people of Augusta, ever watchful of
their young men and always kindly disposd
in recognizing merit in them, began to GEN.
ter their generous purposes of promotion to-
wards the young counsellor, who had i'm
bibed Wing principles and polity as de-
voted political friend of Mr.. Clay, with
whom in after life he was often in personal
and social intercourse.
In 1912, as the colleague of the late Rob-
ert S. Brooke, who had some years previ-
ously, in association with the late John j.
Craig, been returned to the House of Dele
gates, Mr.. Frazier entered npon his public
life with that gentleman in the same branch
of the Legislature. In 1913 Maj. James Bell
and Jno. G. Fulton were elected, the latter
only few votes over Mr.. Frazier. He re-
turned, in 1914, to the contest with his usu-
al spirit and energy, discussing with great
force and power the issues involved, vindi-
eating his course when member eff the
Legislature, and, with Mr.. Fulton, was re-
turned again to the House of Delegates by
handsome majority. After he had rem
dered the re-assumed duties of represen-
tative in the Legislature, he continued to
practice his profession till 1858, when he
was called to take charge Of the Rockbridge
Alum Springs, in which property he was
personally interested with his only brother,
the late John W. Frazier whom he sue
ceeded in the management.
One so conversant with all the publ C
questions of the times as was Mr.. Frazier,
and in daily contact with many of the
ng men of Virginia and other States
is culture, vivacity originality and
pt action, he was naturally man to
ught for, and thus it was, in the seri-
lines of 1861 the Senatorial district OF
Jckbridge, Bath and Highland counties
called him to a seat in the upper branch
of the Legislature. Other sections of the
the State, pending and during the war, had
been guided as was the district represented
by Mr.. Frazier in calling into the public
counsels citizens who had not lately taken
part in political matters in official capaci
ties. History furnishes the nature of the
responsibility which rested upon Governor
Letcher and the Legislature. In the two
houses, Mr.. Frazier was associated, from
the commencement of his term to the close
OF the war, with many eminent men whom
the people of the State were accustomed
to regard with that degree of confidence
which should exist between constituent and
representative in times of great peril and to
guide them in its destinies and in this
gathering of the tried men of Virginia the
lsmented deceased occupied high place.
When the storm of war was over, Mr..
Frazier again, as in his earlier manhood,
placed himeelf alongside of his people,
and in the work of restoration and in no.
BILE efforts for the renewal of the general
prosperity, his latter life was in degree Of
effort worthy Of the success of his early
years.
The funeral was from the First Presby-
terrain church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. j.
P. Strider conducting the ceremonies. Tho
burial was at Thornrose Cemetery. The
following named gentlemen were the pail
bearers: Judge J. N. Hendren, George M.
Cochran, Marshall Hanger J. c. Shields,
81. B. Peck, R. H. Ca.lett, W. B. Kayser,
A. T. Gilkeson.
AN INTERESTING nELIc.-Judge William
Archer locke, of Florida, has presented to
tho TTni varsitv of Virrinia q oonu of tho