FRYE, Moses William 1819-1905

FRYE, DONKEL, ERBE

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 11/4/2008 at 09:38:46

Out in West Cedar, after 1880, a sunny old man might be seen going occasionally among the neighbors. Once a year he would go off several miles and stay over night with deacon Richard Torney and in other homes where he was made welcome.

He went about in a kindly way, talking of the crops, the garden and flowers of which he was very fond. His own garden at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Erbe was the beauty of the neighborhood, and "father Frye" (for that was the old man's name) never tired showing neighbors and vistors his treasures in the garden.

He bore his four score years remarkably well, leaning on his staff but at all times walking briskly. A few months ago the weight of years began to tell more heavily. The out-door world he so much loved he could no longer enjoy. The good wife, and his daughter, Mrs. Ida Erbe, ministered to his wants with tender loving hands, others helped but pain made the hours long and tedious.

Friday, March 3, 1905, he took a cup of tea from his daughter's hand, drank it, settled back in bed and very quietly passed away at the age of nearly eighty-six.

Moses William Frye was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1819. He lived in Pennsylvania till he was a man and then came West to Wisconsin. At Verona, Wis., he was married to Mrs. Caroline Donkel in 1949. In 1880 Mr. Frye came to Iowa and since that date his home has been with his daughter, Mrs. Ida Erbe.

The deceased was left an orphan when but twelve years of age. In his earlier years he was a blacksmith. Like many another orphan boy, life had been hard years for him. At the age of about forty-four years, father Frye was converted. Thru his last years he had a firm trust in god and in Christ as his personal saviour.

The funeral services at his request were conducted by Rev. Jay A. Lapham, Sunday, March 5, 1905, at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Jacob Erbe.

[Osage News -- March 9, 1905]