Benjamin F. Fry (1938)

FRY, BOYD, CAMERON, HOLMES, JOHNSTON, SLAVENS, WELCH, WALTON, WISE, SNAPP

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 3/3/2011 at 10:11:03

Dexter Library Obituary Collection
Dexter, Iowa

Benjamin Fry, son of James W. and Elizabeth Jane Fry, was born near Winchester, Virginia, April 10, 1846, his birthplace the old Fry Fort, where Col. Ben Fry and many of his ancestors were born. The structure still stands as a monument of early pioneer and history making days.

Benjamin Fry emigrated by covered wagon to Iowa in 1867 and adopted this state as home, becoming actively interested in its welfare. He took real joy in all its progress and achievements.

He was married to Martha Jane Boyd, September 29, 1870 near Earlham, Iowa. For nine years they lived in the Penn Center neighborhood. They helped to build and organize the first Penn Center M.E. Church, and became charter members.

In 1878 he purchased a farm in Lincoln twp., Adair county, and moved his family to their permanent home the following year, their home for 35 years. One of his first interests was to help organize a Sunday school at the Gray school house. In 1890 he was instrumental in building and organizing the Mt. Vernon M.E. church.

Eight children, one son and seven daughters came to bless the home of Benjamin and Martha Fry. There dwelt in this home, a tender spirit of helpfulness, a grace of soul which forgets self in the ministry of others.

On August 29, 1901 the faithful wife passed on to her reward.

Benjamin Fry sold his farm in the year of 1913 and moved to Earlham to live with his children. The greater part of his time he made his home with Belle and John Walton. Upon moving to Earlham he transferred his church membership to the Friends church and remained a consistent member until his death.

In his death he leaves one son, Frank Fry, Des Moines; seven daughters, Effie Cameron, Des Moines; Mary Holmes, Stuart; Ida Johnston, Des Moines; Sadie Slavens, Stuart; Carrie Welch, Des Moines; Belle Walton, Adel; and Myrtle Wise, Stuart; two brothers, Lige Fry, Redfield; James Fry, Dexter; one sister, Margaret Jane Snapp, Dexter; eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, a host of relatives and friends.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, March 3, 1938

Benjamin F. Fry died Saturday, February 26, at the age of 91 years, 10 months and 16 days. His death came at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Holmes in Stuart where he had been ill for the past several weeks. Mr. Fry was a former resident of the Penn Center community and in later years lived at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Walton east of Earlham. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at two o’clock at the Methodist church at Stuart in charge of the pastor, Rev. Geugler and Rev. Reece of the Earlham Friends church. The organist and mixed quartet, also of Earlham, furnished the music. The pall bearers were Harlan Holmes, Royal Compton, Paul Walton, Gerald Mullins, Lyle Mullins and Glenn Compton, all grandsons of Mr. Fry. Burial was in the Stuart cemetery.

To live and serve nearly ninety-two years and, with the passing of the years grown more serene, more gentle, more appreciative of friends and loved ones and their ministries, more confident that life is precious and worth while, more trustful of a Heavenly Father’s never failing love and care, more assured that at the end of the way there was eternal joy and reward, reveals the greatness of the soul and proves that such a life was one long journey upward.

A continuous reaching out for the highest and best in life had been a preparation for the eternal years.

Benjamin Franklin Fry, son of James W. and Elizabeth Jane Fry, was born near Winchester, Virginia, April 10, 1846, his birthplace the Old Fry Fort, where Col. Ben Fry and many of his ancestors were born. The structure still stands as a monument of early pioneer and history making days.

Benjamin Fry emigrated by covered wagon to Iowa in 1867 and adopted this state as home, becoming actively interested in its welfare. He took real joy in all its progress and achievements. The inventor had given to the tillers only rude primitive type of tool machinery with which to sow and reap their grains and carry on the work of a pioneer country. He saw the mode of travel evolve from the ox cart into the horse carriage, bicycle, automobile and aeroplane. He acquired habits of toil, and a love of outdoors, which became a permanent characteristic. The business of wresting a living from the soil. The close and happy communion of a contented life, the association with neighbors whose lot was the same as his, did not make for dissatisfaction or discontent. Rather these years were the crucible in which was brought the example of high ideals of a Christian life.

Benjamin Fry was married to Martha Jane Boyd, September 29, 1870 near Earlham, Iowa. For nine years they lived in the Penn Center neighborhood. They helped to build and organize the first Penn Center M.E. Church and became charter members.

In 1878 he purchased a farm in Lincoln twp., Adair county, and moved his family to their permanent home the following year, their home for 35 years. One of his first interests was to help organize a Sunday school at the Gray school house. In 1890 he was instrumental in building and organizing the Mt. Vernon M. E. Church.

He was a man who worshiped God and was faithful in his duty, he held responsible places in the church, Sunday school and school. Many times he gave assurance of his Savior’s love and saving power in his life, and was continually looking for something for his hands to do even as approaching his last illness.

Eight children, one son and seven daughters came to bless the home of Benjamin and Martha Fry. There dwelt in this home a tender spirit of helpfulness, a grace of soul which forgets self in the ministry of others.

On August 29, 1901 the faithful wife passed on to her reward.

Benjamin Fry sold his farm in the year 1913 and moved to Earlham to live with his children. The greater part of this time he made his home with Belle and John Walton. Upon moving to Earlham he transferred his church membership to the Friends church and remained a consistent member until his death.

In his death he leaves one son, Frank Fry, Des Moines; Effie Cameron, Des Moines; Mary Holmes, Stuart; Ida Johnston, Des Moines; Sadie Slavens, Stuart; Carrie Welch, Des Moines; Belle Walton, Adel, and Myrtle Wise, Stuart; two brothers, Lige Fry, Redfield; James Fry, Dexter; one sister Margaret Snapp, Dexter; eight grandchildren, a host of relatives and friends.

He has left, in a life well lived and in his Godly testimony, a heritage of greater worth to his children, than one of silver and gold.
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Note: Burial was made in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Stuart, Iowa.

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