FRYER, Oda Franklin - 1912 Bio (1870-1950)

FRYER, EDWARDS, CHANDLER, ROTH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/13/2007 at 17:11:56

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 465 and 466

O. F. FRYER, cashier of the Iowa State Savings Bank, has always been a resident of Jefferson county and has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development of this section of the state. In later years he has borne his part in the work of public progress and has not only made for himself a creditable position in the financial world but is also popular and prominent in social and business circles. He was born in Black Hawk township, Jefferson county, August 17, 1870, and represents one of the oldest families of this part of the state. His parents were Elias and Sarah J. (EDWARDS) FRYER, the former born in Kentucky, December 25, 1819, and the latter in Tennessee, March 15, 1830. They were married in the latter state, March 19, 1846, and in 1852 came to Iowa, settling first in Van Buren county, but in 1857 took up their abode in Jefferson county, where they lived until called to their final rest. The father's death occurred March 28, 1874, when he was fifty-four years of age, the mother passing away on the 19th of March, 1892, when sixty-two years of age. Elias FRYER had made farming his life work and won success in his chosen occupation. Moreover, he was a public-spirited citizen, giving his cooperation to many movements for the general good. The Methodist Episcopal church found in him a helpful member and the democratic party a loyal supporter. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom one died in infancy, while two daughters passed away in early life. The others reached years of maturity and those now living are: J. S., of Clyde, Kansas; J. W., of St. Charles, Iowa; W. E., of Long Beach, California; Isa, the wife of W. H. CHANDLER, of Goodland, Kansas; and O. F., who is the youngest of the entire family.

The FRYER farm was situated northwest of Fairfield and thereon O. F. FRYER remained until he reached the age of twenty-two years, aiding in the task of developing the fields when not occupied with his school books. He supplemented his early education by study in a business college and afterward engaged in clerking for one winter in Shannon City, Iowa. He entered the field of merchandising on his own account at Packwood, this county, but after eight months the town was practically destroyed by fire. Mr. FRYER was afterward associated with his two brothers, J. S. and W. H., in a mercantile enterprise at Hedrick, Iowa, under the style of FRYER Brothers, for two years. It was during that period that he was married, on the 12th of September, 1894, to Miss Lulu E. ROTH, a native of Black Hawk township, this county, born April 15, 1873, and a daughter of Peter H. ROTH, of Fairfield. A year after his marriage Mr. FRYER returned to Packwood and again entered the mercantile business at that place, where he remained until the fall of 1900. He then turned his attention to the banking business and became cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Packwood, with which he was connected until the fall of 1905. He came to Fairfield as assistant cashier of the Iowa State Savings Bank, and after two years was promoted to the position of cashier, which he now fills, also serving as one of the directors of the bank. His previous business training and experience qualified him for the responsibilities of banking and as one of the officers of the institution he advocates and holds to a safe, conservative policy, which, however, is not antagonistic to progress. In addition to his stock in the bank he owns a farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres, adjoining the city of Fairfield on the east, and other farming interests which return him a substantial annual income.

Mr. and Mrs. FRYER have an only child, Laird Maurice. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. FRYER belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is treasurer, secretary and one of the trustees of the new Armory C, likewise a director of the Fairfield Chautauqua Association and is recognized as a man of progressive spirit and alive to the best interests of the community, his cooperation being given to various movements which tend to promote the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the city. He is loyal in his friendships, true in his purposes and his enthusiasm is contagious.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.