Biography of Joel Fry
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Biography of Joel Fry
| WellsVolunteer (View posts) | Posted: 11 Apr 2008 1:26PM GMT |
Classification: Biography
Surnames: FRY, ASHBAUCHER, YOST, STAUFFER
Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 421-423.
JOEL FRY.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins, not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been passed.
Back in the early 'fifties there came to this country a sturdy Frenchman, Albert Fry by name, who was convinced of the possibilities and opportunities awaiting the man of ambition, pluck and energy, in this land of freedom. He located in Wayne county, Ohio, and about 1856 was united in marriage with Susan Ashbaucher, the daughter of Peter Ashbaucher, a prominent farmer of Wayne county and a native of Switzerland. To this union there was born, on the 31st of March, 1858, a son, Joel, the immediate subject of this sketch. While the latter was yet a babe, the war of the Rebellion was precipitated and Albert Fry was among the first of the brave volunteers from his county to offer their services, and lives if need be, that the integrity of the national government might be maintained. In 1864, after several years of active and arduous service, he was granted a furlough and started for home, but, like many others, was stricken with sickness and died before reaching his loved ones.
Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Fry and her son came to Indiana, locating in Adams county where, in 1869, Mrs. Fry was married to John Yost. Joel Fry remained with his mother until attaining manhood, in the meantime attending the district schools of the neighborhood and acquiring a fair education. Until he was eighteen years of age he worked on his step-father's farm and acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture. At the age mentioned he started out to earn his own living, possessing no capital other than a determination to succeed and an energy and capability for work which was bound to result in his favor. For a year he struggled, doing any work he could find to do, turning his back upon nothing that promised him an opportunity to earn an honest dollar By strenuous endeavor and rigid economy he was at length enabled to purchase a threshing machine in partnership with his uncle, Albert Yeager, and continued in the operation of this machine until he was twenty-one years of age, when he sold his interest in the business to his partner. The following year he moved to Wells county and purchased a portable saw-mill and followed the lumber business for two years with a fair degree of profit. He had acquired a good working knowledge of business methods and had won for himself a reputation for honesty and fair dealing which assisted him materially in his future operations. Feeling that the pursuit of agriculture offered the most independent life and the surest returns, if properly managed, he, in the fall of 1882, purchased the farm in section 31, Lancaster township, upon which he now resides. This farm comprises one hundred and five acres and has been developed and improved by the subject until it now ranks with the best farms of the township. Mr. Fry continued to operate the saw-mill in connection with his farm until the spring of 1902, when he ceased the operation of the former and has since devoted his entire attention to his farm. He bestows great care upon his fields and by closely studying the adaptability of the soil to the different crops has brought his place up to its highest producing capacity, never failing to realize abundant returns for the time and labor devoted to his chosen calling.
On the 22d of February, 1880, Mr. Fry was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stauffer, the daughter of Christian Stauffer, of Adams county. This union has been a most congenial one and Mrs. Fry has in many ways proven herself a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. They are the parents of six children, briefly mentioned as follows: Della Belle, born April 7, 1881; Arley Hiram, born December 26, 1882; Meadie, born April 4, 1887; Ada Pearl, born February 18, 1890; Homer Franklin, born August 4, 1893, and Walter Edward, born March 23, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are endeavoring to give their children good educations and rear them in such a manner as will result in the highest standard of manhood and womanhood.
From the attainment of his majority Mr. Fry has been actively identified with the Democratic party and has always taken a keen interest in the advancement of his party's interests. In the fall of 1900 he was nominated for the office of township trustee and at the ensuing election was successful at the polls and is now serving in this responsible position. He is giving to the duties of this office the same careful attention to details as characterized his conduct of his own affairs and the wise discrimination and sound judgment evinced by him have already won for him the hearty commendation of all people, regardless of party. Fraternally Mr. Fry is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined the order in the fall of 1902, in Bluffton Lodge No. 92. In 1897 the subject united with the First Reformed church of Bluffton and has since been a faithful and devoted member of that congregation. He gives liberally of his means to all worthy objects and all movements having for their object the betterment of his fellow men receive his earnest support. He is a man of quiet, gentlemanly demeanor, highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens of the community and no one occupies a more conspicuous place in the minds and hearts of the people by whom he is known. His private character is above criticism and he has always aimed to keep his name and reputation unspotted. His has been an earnest life, fraught with much that tends to benefit his kind and his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship, as well as in public position, has added to the character and stability of the community in which he lives.
JOEL FRY.
In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins, not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been passed.
Back in the early 'fifties there came to this country a sturdy Frenchman, Albert Fry by name, who was convinced of the possibilities and opportunities awaiting the man of ambition, pluck and energy, in this land of freedom. He located in Wayne county, Ohio, and about 1856 was united in marriage with Susan Ashbaucher, the daughter of Peter Ashbaucher, a prominent farmer of Wayne county and a native of Switzerland. To this union there was born, on the 31st of March, 1858, a son, Joel, the immediate subject of this sketch. While the latter was yet a babe, the war of the Rebellion was precipitated and Albert Fry was among the first of the brave volunteers from his county to offer their services, and lives if need be, that the integrity of the national government might be maintained. In 1864, after several years of active and arduous service, he was granted a furlough and started for home, but, like many others, was stricken with sickness and died before reaching his loved ones.
Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Fry and her son came to Indiana, locating in Adams county where, in 1869, Mrs. Fry was married to John Yost. Joel Fry remained with his mother until attaining manhood, in the meantime attending the district schools of the neighborhood and acquiring a fair education. Until he was eighteen years of age he worked on his step-father's farm and acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture. At the age mentioned he started out to earn his own living, possessing no capital other than a determination to succeed and an energy and capability for work which was bound to result in his favor. For a year he struggled, doing any work he could find to do, turning his back upon nothing that promised him an opportunity to earn an honest dollar By strenuous endeavor and rigid economy he was at length enabled to purchase a threshing machine in partnership with his uncle, Albert Yeager, and continued in the operation of this machine until he was twenty-one years of age, when he sold his interest in the business to his partner. The following year he moved to Wells county and purchased a portable saw-mill and followed the lumber business for two years with a fair degree of profit. He had acquired a good working knowledge of business methods and had won for himself a reputation for honesty and fair dealing which assisted him materially in his future operations. Feeling that the pursuit of agriculture offered the most independent life and the surest returns, if properly managed, he, in the fall of 1882, purchased the farm in section 31, Lancaster township, upon which he now resides. This farm comprises one hundred and five acres and has been developed and improved by the subject until it now ranks with the best farms of the township. Mr. Fry continued to operate the saw-mill in connection with his farm until the spring of 1902, when he ceased the operation of the former and has since devoted his entire attention to his farm. He bestows great care upon his fields and by closely studying the adaptability of the soil to the different crops has brought his place up to its highest producing capacity, never failing to realize abundant returns for the time and labor devoted to his chosen calling.
On the 22d of February, 1880, Mr. Fry was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stauffer, the daughter of Christian Stauffer, of Adams county. This union has been a most congenial one and Mrs. Fry has in many ways proven herself a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. They are the parents of six children, briefly mentioned as follows: Della Belle, born April 7, 1881; Arley Hiram, born December 26, 1882; Meadie, born April 4, 1887; Ada Pearl, born February 18, 1890; Homer Franklin, born August 4, 1893, and Walter Edward, born March 23, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are endeavoring to give their children good educations and rear them in such a manner as will result in the highest standard of manhood and womanhood.
From the attainment of his majority Mr. Fry has been actively identified with the Democratic party and has always taken a keen interest in the advancement of his party's interests. In the fall of 1900 he was nominated for the office of township trustee and at the ensuing election was successful at the polls and is now serving in this responsible position. He is giving to the duties of this office the same careful attention to details as characterized his conduct of his own affairs and the wise discrimination and sound judgment evinced by him have already won for him the hearty commendation of all people, regardless of party. Fraternally Mr. Fry is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined the order in the fall of 1902, in Bluffton Lodge No. 92. In 1897 the subject united with the First Reformed church of Bluffton and has since been a faithful and devoted member of that congregation. He gives liberally of his means to all worthy objects and all movements having for their object the betterment of his fellow men receive his earnest support. He is a man of quiet, gentlemanly demeanor, highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens of the community and no one occupies a more conspicuous place in the minds and hearts of the people by whom he is known. His private character is above criticism and he has always aimed to keep his name and reputation unspotted. His has been an earnest life, fraught with much that tends to benefit his kind and his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship, as well as in public position, has added to the character and stability of the community in which he lives.