Fraser, J.B.D.

James Daniel Bain Fraser was born 11 February 1807, at Pictou, Nova Scotia, the son of Daniel and Catherine (MacKay) Fraser. He probably attended school taught by Dr. Thomas McCulloch at Pictou before his family removed to Saint John, New Brunswick circa 1822. It is believed that Fraser apprenticed at Saint John with a local doctor, where he gained his medical knowledge, which was crucial to his success as a future druggist. Fraser returned to Pictou and in the spring of 1828 established a drug store, which serviced most parts of the Northumberland Strait, parts of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. He also acted as an agent for the Eastern Stage Coach Company. On 20 December 1831 he married Christianna MacKay, the daughter of John MacKay, of Pictou. The couple had five sons and four daughters. By the mid-1840s his business expanded to include two drug stores at Pictou. He also ventured into the stone quarry business and later invested in mining. Throughout his life Fraser was a strong Liberal and opposed Confederation. In 1841 he was appointed Justice of the Peace. He also held several municipal appointments such as Commission of Streets, Captain of the Fire Axe Company, member of the Board of Health, Fire Warden, Health Warden, and Commissioner for Place Bushes on the Ice. He was an active member of the Pictou Literary and Scientific Society, founding member of the Pictou Agricultural Society, and member of the Oriental Division, Sons of Temperance. Besides dispensing medicine, Fraser performed dental services and conducted numerous experiments. He pioneered the use of chloroform during childbirth. Fraser died after a long illness, at Pictou, 4 May 1869.