Transcribed by Debbie Woolard
Taken from "The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties"
Published in 1893 by Chicago Biographical Publishing Co.
Henry D. Fry, a resident of township 15, range 4, Massac County, was born in East Tennessee, October 31, 1841, and is a son of Henry and Esther Fry, who came to Illinois when he was but an infant, and has no recollection of any other country than his adopted home. He was educated in the primitive subscription schools, with their log schoolhouses, heated by a large open fireplace taking up the entire end of the building, and with furniture made of logs and punchions. He made his home with his mother until his enlistment in the Union army, which took place in October, 1861, when he became a member of Company A, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and served nearly two years. He was then taken sick and was honorably discharged on account of disability, his sickness being caused by exposure in the field. Returning home as soon as able, he resumed work at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned before the war came on, and also engaged some in farming. In 1880 he purchased the farm he now owns and occupies, which at the time of purchase comprised one hundred and twenty acres, forty of which were improved. He now has the greater portion of the farm cleared and under cultivation and has added to the house and otherwise improved the place so that now it is a comfortable home.
In 1863 our subject was married to Catherine Gregory, who was born in Massac County, and was the daughter of Ulysses Gregory. She died about two years later, and he was married the second time, to Adeline Allen, who was born in this county, and was a daughter of William Allen.
Mr. and Mrs. Fry had six children: Ida, Phineas, Catherine, Maud and Lewis (twins), and Isaac.
Mrs. Fry died in 1888, and our subject was married the third time, to Sarah (Branham) Choat, the widow of Grant
Choat. She was born in Massac County, and is the daughter of Daniel Branham. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have one daughter,
Lora. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The former is a member of Tom Smith Post No. 345, G.A.R.,
is a Republican in politics and a stanch supporter of that party's principles. He has served as a member of the
Township School Board and as Road Commissioner.
Back to Biographies Index
Back to Massac County Home Page
Copyright © 2000-2002 by Debbie Woolard. All rights reserved.
Copyright includes all contents of this site and does not extend to any other entity. It may not be quoted or retransmitted without a full citation to the author, and may not be put into print--in whole or part--without the individual author's express permission. Submitters retain all copyright, along with the hosts.