San
Joaquin County
Biographies
PHILIP BARRY FRASER
A brilliant and successful man who
rose to a foremost position as a banker and financier was the late Philip Barry
Fraser of Stockton. He was born in
Montreal, Canada, October 12, 1841, of Scotch parentage, and received a good
education in his native city.
After his school days were over,
having become interested in the land of the Stars and Stripes he crossed over
into New York State, where he studied telegraphy and followed that line of work
in different cities in the east during the period of the Civil War until 1864,
when he determined to come to California.
In the summer of that year he crossed the plains with team and wagon,
taking in what is now Yellowstone Park en route.
On his arrival in California he
located in Stockton, where in due time he became manager for the Western
Union. Here he established an enviable
record for promptness, integrity and honesty of purpose,
so that when the First National Bank was started he was selected for the
position of cashier. This he accepted
and filled the place with exceptional credit and was retained in the position
for many years. In 1889 he resigned and
with two business friends he founded the Farmers and Merchants Bank of
Stockton, being elected its first president and manager and guided the destiny
of the institution with such ability it became one of the strong financial
establishments of the city. He also gave
much time to other local enterprises, assisting every worthy movement that had
for its aim the improvement and building up of the city, giving freely of his
time and means toward civic improvement and the betterment of the conditions
and enhancing the happiness of its citizens.
He continued as president and manager of the Farmers and Merchants Bank
until his demise on July 2, 1910.
Mr. Fraser’s first marriage occurred
in Stockton, when he was united with Annette Parker, who passed away in 1897,
leaving three children: Mrs. Mary
Pitman, Alfred P. and James C. Fraser.
Three years later, in 1900, he married again, being united with Mrs.
Kittie L. Crawford, a native daughter of this city, the interesting and
accomplished daughter of John and Margaret (Lenehan)
Crofton, pioneers of Stockton, and the widow of Brooke C. Crawford. Mr. Fraser was prominent in fraternal
circles, being a Knights Templar Mason and an Elk.
Mr. Fraser was a well-read and
well-informed man in literature, civic and national questions, keeping abreast
of the times. Having a retentive memory
and being a ready talker, he was always an interesting conversationalist.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
995-996. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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