BIO: Henry C. FRY, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 201-203. _________________________________________________________________ HENRY C. FRY, whose portrait is shown on the opposite, page, to whom much credit is due as the principal organizer of the Rochester Tumbler Company, the most extensive manufacturers of pressed and blown tumblers in the world, is a man of thorough business qualifications, and, through his connection with numerous enterprises, has attained a wide reputation. He has done much to aid in the progress of Rochester, as the tumbler works, of which he is president, constitute the principal industry of the borough. He was also the chief organizer of the First National Bank, of Rochester, of which he has been president since its incorporation. He has always evinced the deepest interest in the welfare of his fellowmen, alleviating their distress whenever he could do so, and encouraging them by gentle and sympathizing counsel; for these little kindnesses of word and deed, he will be long remembered by the citizens of the community after his demise. He is respected and loved in Rochester as but few of its residents are. Mr. Fry was born in Lexington, Ky., September 17, 1840, and is a son of Thomas C. and Charlotte Fry. John Fry, his grandfather, was born in the North of Ireland, and, with his brother, William, emigrated from Dublin to New York City, locating at Wilkesbarre, Pa., soon after, and still later in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The brothers were possessed of ample means and invested extensively in real estate. They were descended from a prominent Irish family, and had, each, an excellent education, for that day. In the early part of the nineteenth century, John Fry moved to Lexington, Ky., and bought a large tract of land, upon which he built a handsome brick mansion. There he resided until his death, at the age of almost ninety years, and was buried in a cemetery on a portion of his own land. The city of Lexington is built on his land, with the exception of some two hundred acres, and the old homestead known as the "Elms" is owned by his descendants. He married Elizabeth Miller, a lady of Scotch birth, and they had three children: William, Eliza and Thomas C. Thomas C. Fry, the father of Henry C., was born in the city of New York, and during his early years was connected with the firm of Curling, Robinson & Co., glass manufacturers, of Pittsburg. He spent the remainder of his life at the "Elms," at Lexington, Ky. He married Charlotte Fry, who died at the age of fifty-six years, and among their large 202 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES family of children, was Henry C., the subject of this record. Henry C. Fry, endowed with superior talents, a sturdy constitution, and an ambitious temperament, at an early age sought activity in the business world. He was sixteen years old when he went to Pittsburg, bearing good recommendations, and obtained employment as a shipping clerk for the firm of William Phillips & Co., manufacturers of glass. He continued in their service until 1862, when he enlisted in the 15th Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav., as a private. Upon being mustered out of service in 1864, he became a member of the firm of Lippencott, Fry & Co., manufacturers of glass, which was afterward changed to Fry & Scott, and still later, to Fry, Semple & Reynolds. In the spring of 1872, he, with others, went to Rochester and purchased the Lacock property of ten acres, which had formerly been a beautiful maple grove, and a portion of which was, at a later period, the brick-yard of G. Agner. The Rochester Tumbler Company was formed by these gentlemen, and they built a plant on this property, - all of the members of the company taking an active interest in! the work. The company comprised the following well-known business men: H. C. Fry, G. W. Fry, S. M. Kane, William Moulds, S. H. Moulds, Thomas Carr, William Carr, Thomas Matthews, John Hayes, J. H. Lippencott, and Richard Welsh. Two years later their establishment was burned to the ground, but was immediately rebuilt, the following men being then added to the firm: George Searles, Robert Carr, and John Carr. They manufactured both pressed and blown glass tumblers, and their work met with such success that they have been obliged to enlarge the plant and increase their facilities from time to time, so that it is now the leading establishment of its kind in the world. They ship direct to all parts of the United States, England, and other portions of Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, China and Japan, - sending out from three to ten carloads per day. A switch runs through the middle of the plant, and thus the loading is all done under cover. They do not depend upon others for the material they use in the factory, but make their own barrels, boxes and crates for shipping; they grind clay and make pots, and also manufacture their own molds. They have a private electric light plant, using 1,000 incandescent, lights daily; they have their own water works, and a tank with a capacity of 3,100 gallons, which is also connected with the city water works; they have an ice house for drinking purposes. They employ a permanent force of twelve hundred men and women, and have an output of 150,000 dozen of blown goods per month, and 150,000 dozen of pressed goods. Each department of the works is kept at a high state of efficiency, - nearing perfection, - as the most skilled men in the business are in their employ. While the best of order is maintained throughout their establishment, each employee, from the skilled cut-glass worker to the apprentice, feels free from constraint, and wears a contented expression upon his countenance. The firm has been considerably changed since it was first BEAVER COUNTY 203 organized, and as it exists today, is: H. C. Fry, president; William Moulds, general manager; S. H. Moulds, assistant manager; J. H. Fry, secretary; and Clayton Vance, treasurer. In June, 1883, Henry C. Fry actively assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, of Rochester, with a capital of $50,000, and it has been a successful institution from the start, - having at the present time a surplus of $40,000. The subject of this writing has served as president since its inception, and his skilful management has been a prime factor in its prosperity. J. T. Mansfield is vice-president, and T. H. Fry is cashier. Henry C. Fry is also a director and stockholder of the Olive Stove Works, and of the Rochester Electric Light Company, of which he was at one time president. In 1876, Mr. Fry built his residence on a part of the original Pinney estate, one of the most desirable locations in the borough, situated on the corner of New York and West Jackson streets. At one time he owned the adjoining lots, having a large and beautiful lawn, and also the corner property opposite his residence, on which there is located a noted spring which furnishes his house with an abundance of pure water. The spring has quite a history, and is well remembered by the early settlers in that vicinity. Indians were wont to camp about it, and it was known as the "Cure All." It is now under cover, and a beautiful lawn and vineyard add to the delightful spot. Mr. Fry is a man of pleasing personality and great strength of character, one of his chief characteristics being to make others happy. The subject of this biography formed a matrimonial alliance with Emma Matthews, of Pittsburg, a woman attractive in her many virtues, who, by her kindliness of heart, made friends with everyone. She was a loving wife and mother, and their home was one of the greatest happiness until she closed her eyes in final sleep, in 1884. Five children resulted from this union: Harry C., associated with the Rochester Tumbler Company, who married Rachel Power; Clara, the wife of H. J. Sage; Gertrude, who married A. M. Jenkinson; J. Howard, who is also identified with the company; and Mabel, who is attending Vassar College. Mr. Fry formed a second alliance, with Belle McClintock, a woman beloved for her many excellent traits of character. He is a faithful member, and a liberal financial supporter, of the Baptist church, in which he has served as a trustee and deacon. For the past twenty-four years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday School.