My Genealogy Hound

EPHRAIM F. SLOUGH, a successful member of the Norristown bar, and a business man of recognized ability, owes his position in life almost entirely to his own efforts. A self-made man and largely self-educated, he has by industry and perseverance overcome obstacles that would have been deemed insurmountable by many and achieved an honorable and independent position among his fellow men. He was born in Heebnerville, in Worcester township, January 15, 1852. He is the son of Jesse W. and Mary A. (Fry) Slough. The couple had twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, of whom six are now living as follows: Ephraim F., of Norristown, Miss Clara, Jacob, Cornelius, Margaret Jane, and Emma Elizabeth, all of whom reside at Daytona, Florida, except Ephraim F., the parents also having resided there for some years. Jesse W. Slough, the father, was a farmer, residing in Montgomery county until the spring of 1877, living successively in Worcester township, where he was born; Towamencin, seven years; and upper Providence, near Trappe, for sixteen years. In 1877 he removed with his family to Florida and engaged in farming, gardening and poultry-raising. He died at Daytona, November 18, 1900, aged seventy-eight years. He and his wife were members of the Reformed church of the United States. In his younger days he was a Sunday-school superintendent, a choir leader, and also an elder of the church. In his earlier years he taught a public school in Towamencin township. A Democrat in politics, he never sought or held office, preferring to live a quiet and retired life. The grandfather of Ephraim F. Slough was Nicholas Slough, descended from a German ancestor who came with the tide of emigration of that nationality about the middle of the eighteenth century. His wife, Elizabeth Wanner, was also of German descent. They were engaged in the occupation of farming in Worcester township, and had two daughters and four sons. Nicholas was religiously inclined and devoted much of his time in the latter part of his life to church work. He owned a large farm in Worcester. His father was also named Nicholas Slough. Like the names of other old German families, the patronymic “Slough” has undergone many changes. It is said to have been originally spelled Schlouch, but for nearly a century it has retained its present orthography.

The maternal grandfather of Ephraim F. Slough was Daniel S. Fry, also of German lineage, although a native of Towamencin township and a resident therein nearly to the time of his death. He was a great Bible student in his last years. He died in Lower Salford, aged nearly ninety-four years. He was an able farmer, owning several properties, and when too far advanced in years to carry on such work actively, for the sake of having something to do he learned the art of basket-making and followed it as a pastime for the rest of his life. He shared his property with his children, reserving a considerable portion for himself, and died well-to-do. His first wife was Mary Allabaugh, by whom he had six children. By his second wife, Sarah Ottinger, he had one son, Daniel O. Fry. Daniel Fry (grandfather of our subject) donated ground now the site of the Fry school house in Towamencin, where he taught school for several years. He was a member of the denomination known as Dunkards. His early ancestors in this country settled at Germantown, Philadelphia county, in December, 1724, a deed to Henry Fry in that year for a tract of land in that vicinity being still in the possession of his descendant, Ephraim F. Slough. Jacob Fry settled in this county prior to 1782. His will was probated at Norristown in 1786. The name was originally spelled Frei and sometimes Free.

Ephraim F. Slough grew to manhood in Upper Providence township being reared on a and early accustomed to habits of thrift and industry, learning in the school of labor lessons which were to be of great value to him in after life. When not employed in the work of the farm, he attended the public schools of the district and later the Washington Hall Institute at Trappe. He also studied at Ursinus College, completing the course and being graduated in 1877. He taught public school three winter terms, 1869-70-71. He was looking forward, however, to entering the legal profession and accordingly, early in the summer of 1877, he registered as a law student in the office of Joseph L. Allabaugh, of Norristown, and was admitted to the Montgomery county bar in 1881, practicing law continuously in Norristown since.

December 18, 1900, Mr. Slough married Annie, daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth (Koons) Thomas. They have a son, Frank August Slough, born August 29, 1902. Mrs. Slough was born in Upper Salford township, Montgomery county.

Mr. and Mrs. Slough are members of the Trinity Reformed church. He belongs to Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and to Beaver Tribe, No. 62, Improved Order of Red Men. In politics Mr. Slough is a Democrat. In 1901 he was his party’s candidate for district attorney, failing of election by only three hundred and twenty-seven votes although the county gives a large Republican majority. Mr. Slough is in no sense an office-seeker, his nomination for the position which he so nearly won being the work of his friends. He has for some years been actively interested in various manufacturing enterprises in Norristown which contribute to the growth and prosperity of the city. He is a considerable property owner in Norristown; is president of the Western Market Company and its solicitor; and is also one of the managers and solicitor of the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He has a lucrative law practice to which he devotes himself with assiduous attention. He planned his own education and in its acquisition was dependent on no one, paying his own way. He was a member of the State Militia from 1880 to 1885.