Christopher Finlay Fraser

Christopher Finlay Fraser
Ontario MPP
In office 1879–1894
Preceded by	Wilmot Howard Cole
Succeeded by	George Augustus Dana
Constituency	Brockville
In office 1872–1879
Preceded by	Mcneil Clarke
Succeeded by	Frederick John French
Constituency	Grenville South
Personal details
Born	(1839-10-16)October 16, 1839 Brockville, Upper Canada
Died	August 24, 1894(1894-08-24) (aged 54) Toronto, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Mary Ann Lafayette (m.1866)
Children	2
Occupation	Lawyer

Christopher Finlay Fraser (October 16, 1839 – August 24, 1894) was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. He represented Grenville South in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1872 to 1879 and Brockville from 1879 to 1894.

He was born in Brockville in Upper Canada in 1839. He worked as an apprentice at the Brockville Recorder while younger, articled in law, was called to the bar in 1864 and set up practice in Brockville. He was elected to the city council and also served as a lieutenant in the local militia. He was a member of the board of directors for the Ontario Bank and helped reorganize the finances of the Brockville and Ottawa Railway. He was a founding member of the Ontario Catholic League in 1869. He was named provincial secretary in 1873 and promoted to commissioner of Public Works the following year. In 1876, he was named Queen's Counsel. Fraser administered the rebuilding of the provincial parliament buildings at Queen's Park completed in 1894. During his time in office, Fraser served as a representative for Roman Catholic voters in the government of Oliver Mowat, defending their interests when he could and soothing their resentment when he couldn't.

He died in Toronto in 1894 after suffering a heart attack.

Electoral history

Brockville

1867 Ontario general election: Brockville and Elizabethtown
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Conservative	William Fitzsimmons	630	51.05
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	604	48.95
Total valid votes			1,234	75.38
Eligible voters			1,637
	Conservative pickup new district.
Source: Elections Ontario

1879 Ontario general election: Brockville
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	1,379	52.14	0.63
	Conservative	D. Mansell	1,266	47.86	−0.63
Total valid votes			2,645	60.33	−11.02
Eligible voters			4,384
	Liberal hold		Swing		0.63
Source: Elections Ontario

Grenville South

Ontario provincial by-election, March 30, 1872: Grenville South Death of Mcneil Clarke
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	123	52.12
	Independent	Mr. Ellis	113	47.88
Total valid votes			236	100.0
Election voided
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario

Ontario provincial by-election, October 16, 1872: Grenville South Previous election voided
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	894	55.02	6.24
	Independent	Mr. Cairns	731	44.98
Total valid votes			1,625	100.0	4.43
	Liberal gain from Conservative		Swing		6.24
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario

Ontario provincial by-election, December 1873: Grenville South Ministerial by-election
Party	Candidate	Votes
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	Acclaimed
Source: History of the Electoral Districts, Legislatures and Ministries of the Province of Ontario

1875 Ontario general election: Grenville South
Party	Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	1,136	53.36
	Conservative	J.C. Irvine	993	46.64
Turnout			2,129	71.04
Eligible voters			2,997
	Liberal hold		Swing
Source: Elections Ontario

1879 Ontario general election: Grenville South
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Frederick John French	1,205	53.01	6.37
	Liberal	Christopher Finlay Fraser	1,068	46.99	−6.37
Total valid votes			2,273	70.20	−0.84
Eligible voters			3,238
	Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing		6.37
Source: Elections Ontario

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history