For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 719
JOSIAH FRY, Among the natives of the Keystone state, who have established a home and attained a competence in Muscatine county is Josiah Fry, a well known farmer of Cedar township. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 4, 1842, the son of Henry and Mary (Fitzgerald) Fry, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa in 1855 and later purchased land in Muscatine county, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of this region and at one time owning four hundred and twenty acres of valuable farming property. He departed this life May 14, 1897, at the age of eighty-three years, the mother passing away May 9, 1902, after she had reached the age of eighty-four years, and both were laid to rest in Letts cemetery. There were thirteen children in their family, namely; Josiah, our subject; Cyrus, now of Muscatine county; Eliza, the wife of John Coder, of this county; Franklin, also of Muscatine county; Sarah, the widow of Joseph Morrison, of Muscatine; Harriet, the wife of Alonzo Eperly, (Should be Epperly) of St. Paul, Minnesota; Mary, now Mrs. C. W. Harvey, of Myrna, Iowa; Eva, the wife of N. C. Herrick, of Muscatine county; John, of Waterloo, Iowa; Matilda, now Mrs. P. Brookhart, of Muscatine county; Noah, who died at the age of twenty-three years; William H. Henry, who died at two years of age; and one who died in infancy.Josiah Fry came with his parents to Iowa when he was a boy of thirteen years. He was just preparing to enter upon the active duties of life when the Civil war threw its shadow over the land and, responding to the call for defenders of the Union, he enlisted in August 1862 in Company F, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was soon sent to the front and Private Fry participated in many of the great movements and engagements of the war. He was present at the celebrated siege of Vicksburg and took part in the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Henderson Hill, Pleasant Hill, Kenesaw Mountain, Yellow Bayou, Old River Lake, and Tupelo, Mississippi, and Spanish Fort, Alabama. He valiantly preformed his duties at all times, as his heart was in the cause, but no man was happier than he when peace was declared and the great armies were disbanded. He received his honorable discharge, August. 9, 1865, and returned to Muscatine county, where he began farming upon part of his father's place. Here he continued for two years and then purchased forty acres, the nucleus of the beautiful farm of one hundred and ninety acres which he now owns and which is located on section 24, Cedar township, and section 9, Seventy-six township. He has succeeded admirably in raising grains but has devoted a great deal of time to live stock, being a successful breeder of black polled cattle, Percheron Norman horses and Chester White hogs.
In 1866 Mr. Fry was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Epperly, who was born in Indiana and came to Iowa with her parents when she was about seven years of age. Mr. Epperly entered land in Muscatine county which he cultivated until 1868, being then called to his final rest. The mother departed this life in 1873. Their remains were interred in Wagoner cemetery, Muscatine county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Epperly included ten children, six of whom are now living, namely; George, of St. Paul, Minnesota; John of Portland, Oregon; Mary, the widow of Levi Ellison, of Letts, Iowa; Albert, of Oregon; Nancy Jane, now Mrs. Fry; and William of Muscatine. Five children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fry; Gertrude May, born June 3, 1867, now the wife of Frank Runyon, of Muscatine county; Phenia B., born April 9, 1869, the wife of Jud Epperly, of Oregon;, Estella F., who was born December 12, 1871, and is now the wife of Elmer Furnace, (Suppose to be Furnas), of Louisa county, Iowa; Grace, who was born December 8, 1874, and died July 14, 1883; and Rolly C., now in charge of the homestead, who was born December 1, 1880, and was married December 12, 1900, to Opal Wells of Muscatine county.
The honorable record which Mr. Fry made in the army was a prophecy of the enterprise and ability he has displayed during the forty-five years that have elapsed since the war. While his success as a farmer is clearly demonstrated, he has also assisted in promoting the general welfare of his neighborhood and county. Politically he has since arriving at voting age been an adherent of the republican party. He and his family are affiliated with the Methodist church and give it their conscientious support. Owing to his wide experience and proven ability Mr. Fry occupies a responsible position in the locality where he lives and is justly regarded as one of its best citizens.
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