Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Frye, Solomon S. July 22, 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2009, 12:57 am

Author: 1883 Mecosta Co. Portrait & Bio Album

SOLOMON F. FRYE, Postmaster at Altona, was born in Pennsylvania, July 22, 
1844.  His parents, David K. and 

Elizabeth (Fordyce) Frye, were born in the Keystone State and died in West 
Virginia when the son was 14 

years of age.

From that time he had his own way to make in the world.  He found a home with 
his uncle, Archibald Fordyce, 

the two years succeeding his parents' death.  He was then 16 years old, and 
enlisted at Philadelphia, 

enrolling in the regiment under Col. Baker.  He was finally assigned to the 
71st Pennsylvania Volunteers, 

and remained in the service 14 months, receiving honorable discharge for 
physical disability, the result of 

excessive exposure.  He saw active service at Little Bethel, Munson Hill, 
Ball's Bluff and Malvern Hill.  He 

was captured at Ball's Bluff, and the severe marching and hardships following 
his capture were the cause of 

his impaired health.  He was without food for four days and three nights, and 
then only received the samll 

quantity of four ounces of bread.  The experiences of Mr. Frye at Libby prison 
are those whose horrors are 

renewed every time they are repeated, and never lose their dread character.  
The strong man who weighed 176 

pounds on being incarcerated, on his exchange four months later weighed 60 
pounds.  Upon his being sent to 

Wshington he received a furlough and returned to Harrisburg, where, by special 
order of Gov. Curtin, he 

returned to his regiment, but soon after was seized with the samll-pox, and 
sent to the small-pox hospital, 

near Fortress Monroe; but not long after he was ordered to Albany, N.Y., for 
treatment.  Two months later he 

rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the battle of Malvern Hill.  
In a month he was discharged at 

Harrison's Landing and returned to his native State.  He was so enfeebled that 
he could not labor for two 

years.

On regaining his health in a measure he was employed as watchman on the Ohio 
River for a year, and was 

afterward in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., where he worked for 
two years.  He came to St. 

Louis, Mich., and was first engaged in rafting to Bay City, and then was in 
the employ fo different parties, 

locating lands in Northern Michigan.

In 1877 he returned to Pennsylvania and taught primary schools two years.  He 
came back to the Peninsular 

State and locate din Clare County.  There he was occupied four years as 
superintendent of a shingle mill.  

He formed a partnership with R. M Shumway, in mercantile business at Farwell, 
Clare Co., selling out two 

years later, soon after coming to Hinton Tp., Mecosta Co., and engaging in the 
drug business with Dr. J. E. 

Gruber, of Altona.  This relation was dissolved in May, 1882.  He received his 
appointment as Postmster Oct. 

31, 1882, under President Arthur.

Mr. Frye was married in Isabella Co., Mich., March 3, 1867, to Lucy, daughter 
of David, and Sarah Leonard.  

Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their entire lives there.  
Of this marriage four children 

have been born - Edward B. and Edwin(twins), born June 5, 1878; Archibald F., 
July 3, 1877, and Edith M., 

Aug. 13, 1882.

Mr. Frye is a Republican, and has been Township Clerk three terms, and is a 
member of the Republican County 

Committee.  He and his family attend the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. 
Frye is a member.

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