Abner Fraser was an Episcopalian priest who pastored the Christ Church, Episcopal, in Lima, Ohio. Briefly, and then transferred to Youngstown where he pastored Saint John’s parish for 25 years. He became a chaplain with the Ohio National Guard, and when it was federalized for service in World War I, despite being nearly 60 years old, the members of the regiment asked him to continue serving as their chaplain. Serving in combat in France, he was cited with the Silver Star citation for gallantry in action, serving in the Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys, and Defensive Sector campaigns, and was severely gassed, causing life-time health issues. Promoted to captain after the war, he volunteered to remain as part of the occupation forces in Germany, and returned home and was discharged on June 26, 1919. He spent the rest of his life as an Episcopalian clergyman, and was rector of Christ Church, Episcopal, in Tryon, North Carolina, at the time of his death.