BIO: William H. FRY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. FRY, one of the industrious and thorough agriculturists of Ferguson township, Centre county, was born July 18, 1843, on the farm where he still resides, and is a son of Conrad and Mary Ann (Custenbauder) Fry. His paternal great-grandparents were natives of Germany, while his grandparents were born in Easton, Northampton Co., Penn. The grandfather, Conrad Fry, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject is the eldest in a family of nine children, and in order of birth was followed by Jonas, who was born in 1845, and was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville during the Civil war; Stephen, who died in childhood; Sarah A., wife of E. E. Young, a carpenter of Bellefonte, Centre county; Polly A., wife of G. W. Ward, of Bellefonte; Hannah, who died in infancy; George W., who died in childhood; another child who died in infancy; and Robert B., who is married, and is a carriage painter of Bellefonte. Capt. Fry, whose name introduces this sketch, secured a good education in the Pine Grove Academy, of Centre county. On October 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 45th P. V. I. At the battle of South Mountain, Md., he had his skull fractured by a bullet, and was left on the field for dead. By careful treatment, however, he recovered, and was honorably discharged at Baltimore, April 24, 1863, after which he returned home. For a number of terms he taught the Pine Grove Grammar School, and he still takes an active part in everything tending to the advancement and promotion of education. On September 12, 1865, Mr. Fry was married to Miss Sally E. Laurimore, and to them were born seven children, namely: John W.; Mary R., wife of Charles Dale; S. E.; Bella C.; Conrad M.; Mabel L.; and W. H. After the death of this wife, Mr. Fry wedded her sister, Rebecca C. Laurimore, December 25, 1883. Three children grace this union: Hugh L.; George B. McClellan; and A. F. Reno. The second was named for a noted general in the 264 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Union army, and the last for Gen. Reno, who was killed in the Civil war. Our subject is the owner of the old homestead farm, a valuable place of 110 acres, which is located in the garden spot of the Valley. It is beautifully and tastefully laid out, adorned with evergreens and ornamental shrubbery of all kinds, making it one of the most attractive farms in the locality. To its cultivation he devotes his time and attention with most gratifying results. In public affairs he takes a prominent and influential part, and has been called upon to serve in several official positions of honor and trust. He has been assessor for the last fifteen years; overseer of the poor; was secretary of the school board before attaining his majority; was re-elected director secretary, and was census enumerator in 1880. Since casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. McClellan in 1864, he has been a patriotic Democrat in politics, and has served as chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee, a position he still holds. He has been commander of J. O. Campbell Post No. 272, G. A. R., of Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, has been a delegate to the State Encampment, and is its present quartermaster. He assisted in organizing Grange No. 252, of which he is past master, and is also prominently identified with the I. O. O. F., filling all the principal chairs in the local lodge, and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge; he belongs also to the Independent Order of Heptasophs; and is the captain of the Jr. O. A. M. He was also a charter member and sergeant of Company B, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania National Guard, in which organization he served his term of enlistment. Capt. Fry is a man of good address, genial in disposition, hospitable in his home, and respected by all who know him. A fluent writer, he is correspondent for various newspapers. He is now serving as trustee of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a faithful member, and is secretary of the Sunday-school, also secretary of the Church council. Besides general farming, he is engaged in stock-raising and in the practice of veterinary surgery. In addition to the above, he is a member of the Centre County Veterinary Association, of which he is vice-president and member of the executive committee; and is president of the Pine Grove Academy Alumni Association. His associates are the young people, as his general deportment and appearance are those of a man much younger in years. His name has frequently been mentioned as a candidate for county office, but thus far he has declined the honor.