Fry - John C.
John C. FRY
Source: 1881 H. W. Beckwith History, Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill) p 309
J.C. FRY, grocer and baker, Crawfordsville, is a native of Fountain Co IN and was born March 19, 1848. His father, Solomon Fry, was a Pennsylvanian, born. in 1820 and died May 1, 1879, and his mother, Catharine (BEVER) Fry, was born in Fountain County and died in Oct 1853.
His father was a blacksmith by trade, but in his later years followed farming. He was a whig and republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. He was deacon at the time of his death.
His grandfather, Jacob Fry, was deacon at the time of his death. His grandfather Jacob Fry, was one of the Hessians hired by England to fight in the revolution, and after the war closed he settled in Pennsylvania, from whence comes the Frys.
JC Fry was raised a farmer, educated in common schools, also for awhile at Wabash College, and afterward at the Commercial college at Greencastle. In 1869 he became clerk in the grocery store of AF RAMSAY in Crawfordsville with whom he stayed four years. In 1873, he associated himself with JF SHEAN in the same trade, and at the end of 3 years bought the interest of Mr. Shean, and continued the business alone, west of the courthouse, with a stock of about $1,800 and doing a trade of about $15,000 per year.
In 1878 he moved his stock into the large brick building he now occupies. Here he carries a stock of $3,500 and does a business of about $25,000 per year, employed 4 men.
Mr. Fry enlisted, in 1865, in the 154th Ind. Vols. under Jacob DICE. Returning from the war he worked his own way in both his educational and business careers, and richly deserves the prosperity he enjoys. He is a solid republican and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
He was married July 8, 1872 to Anna E, daughter of Pleasant & Elizabeth RAMSAY of Crawfordsville. She is a member of the Baptist Church. They have 4 children Pearl A; Elizabeth C; Maud E and Myrtle M. - typed by kbz