Francis Rae, M.D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons in Oshawa, is a son of James and Jane (Johnston) Rae, both natives of Scotland, who immigrated to New Brunswick about 1827. James Rae’s a farmer. Our subject was born at Fredericton, N.B., July 8, 1833; was educated in the common schools of Ontario, and at the Normal School, Toronto, and taught for ten years, most of the time at Prince Albert, County of Ontario, and Stouffville, County of York, studying medicine during a part of this period. He attended lectures at the Toronto School of Medicine, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Medicine in 1865 at the Toronto University, and that of Doctor of Medicine in 1866, spending a session before commencing practice in the hospitals in New York City.
Since 1865 Dr. Rae has been in practice at Oshawa, having a good run of business almost from the start. He is a studious and growing man.
In 1874 he was appointed, by the Senate, one of the Examiners in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Toronto, which position he held for two years, and discharged its duties in a very satisfactory manner. The Doctor is a member of “King’s and Queen’s” Division Medical Association, and few men among the younger class have so high a standing among the fraternity.
He has been a Coroner for the County of Ontario since 1868; has been Reeve of the town of Oshawa during the last four years, having been first elected in 1876; was elected Mayor by acclamation for the year 1880; is a Master Mason, and also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Grand Lodges of both Societies. His politics are Reform, and locally he is rather prominent, being usually an active worker in the political contests, which take place from time to time, not, however, so much as to interfere with his practice.
His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee and one of the Board of Managers. He is a man of noble impulses, kind to the poor, and self sacrificing in his efforts to relieve the suffering.
In October, 1865, Miss Lizzie Currie, daughter of the late Andrew Currie, of Chatham, was married to Dr. Rae, and they have four children living and have buried two.