Frazer - James
Source: Crawfordsville Review 25 Feb 1893 p 1
Judge James Frazer, father of Mrs. HH Ristine died at his home in Warsaw last Monday evening. He was one time a member of the Supreme Court of Indiana respresenting his county in the legislature for three terms and has held many government positions. He was one of the leading men of the state and was quite well known in this county.
Source: Indianapolis Journal Tues 21 Feb 1893 p 3
Warsaw, Ind Feb 20 - Judge James S. Frazer, a pioneer of Kosciusko County died at his home in the city at 6:40 o'clock this evening of a complication of diseases. The immediate cause of death was pneumonia. He was 69 years old. Hon. James S. Frazer was born July 17, 1824 in Holidaysburg. His parents were Scotch. His grandfather came to America as a British soldier at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, but soon became tired of the cause and joined the colonists. James was given such education as the contracted opporunities of that time afforded. In 1837 he removed to Wayne County, Indiana and in 1840 entered the office of Morman Way at Winchester and began the study of the law and was admitted to the Winchester bar in March 1845. In April he opened an office in Warsaw where he has since resided, except during brief intervals when professional and official relations required his absence. In october 1848 he was married to Caroline Defrees at Goshen whose brother was Hon. J.D. Defrees, ex-member of Congress from th is district. In politics he was originally a Whig, and since the dissolution of that part in 1852, has been a Republican. In 1847, 1848 and 1854 he was a member of the lower house of the State Legislature. He was appointed assesor of internal revenue for this district in 1862 serving two years. He served on the Supreme Bench of this state form 1865 to 1871. Under the treaty of May 8, 1871 with Great Britain the president of the US appointed him commissioner on the part of this country with the Rt. Hon. Russell Gurney representing England and Count Corti of Italy as neutral representive chosen by England and America. He was in the employ of the Treasury Department at Washington from 1873 - 1875 in the adjustment of claims for cotton captured or destroyed by the government during the war. This involved a sum amounting to $220,000,000. He has served on the bench of this county many times. He was connected with the secret societies of the city being an honored member of them all.
Source: Huntington Daily Democrat Sat 11 Feb 1893 p 1
Wabash, Ind Feb 11 -- Judge James S. Fraser of this city one of the most eminent jurists of Indiana and a man of national reputation in politics lies fatally ill of Bright's disease at his home. He has been ailing for some time past, but is sinking so rapidly that death must result in a short time. Judge Fraser served several terms in the state senate one term on the Indiana Supreme Court bench and was a member of the Alabama claim commission.
Source: South Bend Tribune Tue 21 Feb 1893 p 4
In the death of Judge James S. Fraser, which occurred at his home in Warsaw Monday the state loses one of its foremost citizens and ablest jurists. He was a pioneer of Kosciusko County and served with distinction on the circuit bench of that county and on the supreme bench of the state. Judge Fraser was well known to the bar of this county and was referee in the famous hydraulic case tried here a year ago.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 21 February 1893
Judge James S. Frazer, ex-member of the supreme court of Indiana, died last evening at his home in Warsaw. He was the father of Mrs. Dr. Ristine of this city. Judge Frazer was a man of more than national reputation, an able lawyer and jurist, and a splendid citizen. His friends throughout the country will be pained to learn of his death. He studied law at Winchester in 1845, was admitted to the bar and a few months later he opened an office at Warsaw. He was originally a Whig and easily gravitated to the Republican Party later on. He represented his county for three terms in the legislature and was largely instrumental in framing the school law of 1855. in 1852 he was elected prosecuting attorney and in 1862 was appointed an assessor of internal revenue. In 1864 he was elected to the supreme bench of the State and served six years. In 1871 President Grant appointed him the U. S. commissioner to adjust claims against the government by English subjects and against the English government by American citizens, arising out of the Civil War. He was also appointed one of the commissioners to revise and codify the laws of Indiana. His associate commissioners were Senator Turpie and John H. Stotsenberg, of New Albany. His wife was the sister of the Hon. John D. Defrees, now deceased. Several children were born to them. – thanks to S for this one