Richland County IL Archives Biographies.....Fry, Joseph 1820 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 26, 2011, 6:06 pm

Source: See below
Author: Lake City Publishing Co.

JOSEPH FRY, who is now engaged in fruit-growing on section 18, Olney Township,
Richland County, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having
occurred in Mt. Vernon on the 25th of June, 1820. He is the youngest in a family
of nine children, numbering seven sons and two daughters, but all are now
deceased with the exception of our subject and his brother Jacob, who is now
engaged in farming in Wisconsin.

  The parents of this family were Michael and Elizabeth (Reese) Fry. The father
was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. In an early day he
left the Keystone State and went to Ohio, from where he afterwards emigrated to
Richland County, Ill., in 1838. Here he afterwards entered land from the
Government, being one of the pioneers of this locality, and upon the farm which
he improved spent his remaining days. His death occurred at the age of
seventy-seven. His wife, who was also born in Pennsylvania, was called to the
home beyond at the age of seventy-six years, while living in Edwards County.

  We now take up the personal history of Joseph Fry, who is widely and favorably
known to the citizens of this community. The greater part of his youthful days
was spent in Ohio, and in its public schools he accquired a limited education.
At the age of seventeen he bade adieu to his native State and started on the
Westward journey to Illinois with his parents. Under the parental roof he
remained until he had attained his majority, and to his father he gave the
benefit of his services, for from an early age he worked in the fields, thus
becoming familiar with all the details of farm life. Having arrived at years of
maturity, he started out for himself and began working as a farm hand by the
month, in which capacity he was employed for several years. In this way, as the
result of his labors, good management and economy, he obtained some money, which
he invested in forty acres of land. This was the nucleus of his farm.

  In 1844 Mr. Fry led to the marriage altar Miss Nancy Kaner, who resided in
Edwards County, Ill. Eleven children have been born to the union of this worthy
couple, six sons and five daughters, but death has broken the family circle and
only six are now living. Edith I., the eldest, is the wife of Rev. William
Rowley, a Methodist minister of Colorado; Sarah E. is the wife of Thomas Shaw,
who follows farming in Clay County, Ill.; R. T. is now serving as Postmaster in
the city of Olney; James A. is a well-known farmer of Clay County; Nettie comes
next; and Lena is the wife of John Glathart, a farmer of Olney Township.

  For many years Mr. Fry successfully engaged in farming, but in 1892 he sold
his farm and put his money out at interest. At this writing he is superintendent
of the fruit farm owned by his son. He is an honored pioneer of the county and
worthy of representation in its history. In his political views he is a
Republican, and though he manifests an interest in politics, as all true
American citizens should do, he has never been an aspirant for office, in fact
has steadily refused to serve in public positions. For fifty-five years he was a
member of the Christian Church, but is at present a member of the New Light
Church, and is now serving as Deacon. He takes a great interest in all religious
work, and is assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has long been an
earnest laborer in the Master's vineyard and in his declining years he can look
back over a well-spent life of faithful service.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties
Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co.
1893


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