My Genealogy Hound

HENRY FRORER was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, near Soudersburg, August 12, 1830. His father, Christian Frorer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and there learned and followed the tanner’s trade. He married Miss Dorothy Schiel and about 1830 they came to America, settling in Philadelphia, whence they afterward removed to Lancaster county. They had a family of nine children. The father died about 1840 and the mother in 1853.

Henry Frorer attended the common schools, but received only limited educational privileges, and it was necessary for him to earn his own living at an early age. He had always been a reader, however, and ever kept well informed on the leading topics of the time. When he was fourteen years of age, his mother, who was then a widow, removed to Philadelphia where Henry served an apprenticeship with the building firm of Lanning & Sill. After learning his trade he followed it in Philadelphia until 1891. In 1861 he became a builder and a contractor, continuing so until he abandoned active life. He remained in Philadelphia until 1891 and then located near Bryn Mawr where he built many fine houses. The summer home of George W. Childs, called Wooton, which became famous as a gathering place for famous men, Pembroke Hall at Bryn Mawr College, the Bryn Mawr Hospital, the summer homes of Lincoln Godfry, Charles Stewart, and many others, were his handiwork. In 1895 Henry Frorer built St. Thomas’ Episcopal church, near the Dupont Circle, in Washington, D. C.

In 1895 Mr. Frorer bought the Maple Croft farm near King-of-Prussia, consisting of one hundred and six acres of land, a handsome house, grounds, and buildings. On this farm he spent the remainder of his life, surrounded by every comfort. In every sense of the word Mr. Frorer was a self-made man, as he started in life with only his hands and the energy which was inherited from his German ancestors. In politics he was independent and voted for the man or party that he thought would do the most for the country. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, Montgomery Lodge of Philadelphia.

September 29, 1862, Henry Frorer married Miss Catharine, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Clark) Charlton, who were natives of Ireland, but were married in Philadelphia. Mrs. Frorer was born in Philadelphia, December 26, 1836. Their children: Robert C., who was born April 28, 1864, and died December 7, 1902, married Miss Sarah Neuman and had two children, Henry R. and Elizabeth N. Henry, Jr., who was born August 7, 1867, and died May 6, 1899, married Miss Susan Lynch and had two children, James R. and Catharine C. Thomas, born October 13, 1871, died March 17, 1876. Mr. Frorer died July 26, 1904.