Biographical
Sketch of
Colonel Thomas J. Frailey
The
legal security of our community could
rely upon no better counsellorship
than its own foundation, which
includes that of Thomas Joseph
Frailey, attorney-at-law, philosopher
and educator. Colonel Frailey
was born here on June 22, 1892 and was
the son of the late Oscar D. and Clara
Hoke Frailey.
He completed
grade school in 1907, graduated from
Emmitsburg High School in 1910, and
was graduated from Mt. St. Mary’s
College in 1915 with a B.A. degree,
received his M.A. degree in 1917 and
entered Dickinson School of Law at
Carlisle Pa. in 1916 from which he was
graduated with an LL.D. degree n 1919.
An additional LL.D. degree was
conferred on him by Southeastern
University, Washington D. C., in 1946.
Colonel
Frailey was admitted to the bar in
Maryland in 1919; the District of
Columbia bar in 1924 and was
privileged to practice in the U.S.
Supreme Court, in 1925. Attorney
Frailey joined the Faculty of
Southeastern University Washington, D.
C., in 1919, and served as dean in the
School.
Law and
Liberal Arts accepted as attorney with
the U. S. Veterans’ Administration, he
served as chief of, insurance claims
and headed the legal work with a group
of 105 lawyers as a member of the
legal advisory group, and associate
member of the board of appeals.
The Colonel,
as he is familiarly addressed, entered
military service in 1917 as a private
and rose through the ranks for
meritorious and courageous service
with so many commendable achievements
that proper space cannot be allocated.
He became a
lieutenant colonel in 1935 and was
ordered to active military duty with
the Army General Staff, subsequently
being promoted to the grade of full
colonel. He served with the Army
Industrial College in Washington
during World War II and was a faculty
member of the General. Counsel of the
National Office of Civilian Defense.
Honorably discharged from active
service in 1946, he was appointed
Colonel, Quartermaster Corps, by the
President.
As a member of
the Commander’s Party of the American
Legion, he traveled extensively in
Europe, interviewing and meeting
personally, many European rulers and
dignitaries, including King Albert of
‘Belgium, the king and queen of
England, king of Italy, Prince of
Wales and numerous others. He served
three terms as Commander of the
Sergeant Jasper Post, American Legion,
in Washing, D.C., and was president of
the Alpha-Chi-Cho Fraternity.
Colonel
Frailey’s affiliations are many and of
high standing. He is a man of courage
and strength of character. The Colonel
married the former Carolyn M. Smith of
Hughsville, Pa., on April 7, 1934, her
own brother, Dr. Ralph Smith,
performing the ceremony. Mrs. Frailey
is a graduate of Dickinson Seminary,
Williamsport, Pa. Both are member of
the local Methodist Church and Col.
Frailey is the superintendent of the
Sunday school. The Colonel presently
is a member of the Mt. St. Mary’s
College faculty and teaches law. He is
a charter member of the Emmitsburg
Chamber of Commerce and drafted the
constitution and by-laws of that
organization in addition to those of
the Memorial Hall Assn., and the
Community Fund.
Active in
community service the Colonel has
served a number of years on the Town
Council and acted in the capacity as
chairman of the board during his terms
of office. We proudly say to Colonel
Frailey, his achievements and records
are among the highest qualifications
and need no comment they speak for
themselves. Congratulations, Colonel
Frailey!
If you knew this individual, and would like to see them remembered in the next History of
Emmitsburg, Please send us
any stories or antidotes about them to us at:
history@emmitsburg.net
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