Fry, William Henry 1851-1921

FRY, WENTZ, LANE, GEORGE, JENKS, FARR, PICKERING, SNAPP

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/28/2012 at 12:09:22

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Sept. 13, 1921

WILLIAM FRY

William Fry, who made is home in Grinnell until six or seven years ago, died Saturday, Sept. 3, in Waukee. He was a brother of G.T. Fry and the uncle of M.G. Fry, Charles Fry, and Etta Wentz, of Grinnell.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday of this week at the Bear Creek Quaker church in Earlham. Mr. Fry made his home on north Reed street while the family resided in Grinnell and is remembered by many people in this vicinity. He was the father of Wallace Fry, who lives south of town.

William Henry Fry, son of Elijah and Sarah Agnes Fry, was born in Selby county, Kentucky, June 26, 1851, and departed this life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Lane of Waukee, Iowa, on September 3, 1921, aged 70 years, 2 months, 7 days.

When he was one year old, his parents moved to Oaktown, Indiana, where his father died when William was seven years of age, and his mother when he was twelve. From thence he came to Iowa when he was 18. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Gulielma George. They made their home at Bear Creek, Iowa for five years; then resided in Kansas for thirteen years, returning to Iowa in 1890. He has lived in the vicinity of Earlham and Grinnell ever since, until he came to live with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Lane a few years since.

Their home was gladdened by the birth of eight children, all of whom save two, remain to mourn his going and to comfort the bereaved mother. These are: Charles Walter Fry of Ft. Lupton, Colorado; Emma Jane and Evan who died in infancy; Bessie Naomi Lane of Waukee, Iowa; Senath Alice Jenks of Earlham, Iowa; William Wallace Fry of Grinnell, Ia.; Florence Faye Farr of Chicago, Ill., and Edna May Fry of Waukee, Ia. Besides these he leaves a brother, Thomas Fry of Grinnell, Ia.; a sister, Mrs. Dora Pickering of Donalda, Canada; a step-brother, William Henry Snapp of Dexter, Ia.; and 4 grandchildren.

William Fry was converted when a boy of 12 and united with the Christian church. While living in Kansas he united with the Friends church, and upon his return to Iowa transferred his membership to the Friends church at Earlham. He was still a member of this church at the time of his call to the heavenly home. William Fry was always greatly interested in the work of the Kingdom of God. While in Kansas he helped to organize and carry on a Sunday school in the community; he was always devoted to the Sunday school work. He was always very regular and wanted to be on time with his whole family both at Sunday school and the Worship of God; and he maintained the worship of God in his home daily. He was always interested in the Prohibition movement and did all he could for its advancement.

William Fry first began to fail about twelve years ago, and for the last three and a half years has been confined to his chair. He was very patient in his sickness and appreciative of the devoted care bestowed unceasingly upon him by his loved ones. He was ready and waiting for the Master's summons home.