My Genealogy Hound

JOSIAH FRYER, a leading blacksmith of Pottstown, who resides at No. 534 Chestnut street, Pottstown, was born in Washington township, near Bechtelsville, Berks county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1843. He is the son of Reuben B. and Maria (Fegeley) Fryer.

Reuben B. Fryer (father) was born in Berks county, but lived nearly all his life in Montgomery county. By trade he was a cooper. He kept a store on Charlotte street, Pottstown, for many years, living in Pottstown from 1846 until his death in 1899. He was past eighty years of age when he died. His wife died in 1866, aged more than fifty-one years. She was also born in Berks county. He was a member of the German Reformed church, while she was a Lutheran. He was a staunch Democrat. Reuben B. Fryer married (second wife) Mary Beidman. They had one daughter Catharine, married Ernest Orr, who came from Canada. Reuben B. and Maria (Fegeley) Fryer had nine children, all of whom died in early childhood except two, Josiah, and Jacob, died in 1896, aged fifty-one years.

Jacob Fryer (grandfather) was born in Montgomery county. He was a farmer, and was a constable for many years. The Fryers are of German descent. He died at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife, Catherine (Bowman) Fryer, died aged eighty-two years. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters. Jacob Fegeley (maternal grandfather) was born in Pennsylvania, and married Susanna Miller. They lived to an advanced age, and both died in Pottstown. They had four sons and four daughters.

Mr. Josiah Fryer removed to Pottstown with his father when he was three years old. He attended the public schools, and when nineteen years of age, began to learn the blacksmith trade, which he has followed ever since. He has been in the employ of the Ellis & Lessig Nail Works for the past eighteen years, and is foreman of the blacksmith department.

December 24, 1864, Josiah Fryer married Miss Mary C. Lessig, daughter of Joshua B. and Tena (Bechtel) Lessig. They had four children, as follows: 1. Emma Melissa, married Frank Ewing, who died eleven months after their marriage. She then married Mark Jacoby, and they have two children, Walter and Edith. 2. Annie Gertrude, died at the age of five years, six months, and twenty-one days. 3. Brity, married Samuel Trout. They have two children: Odetta and Alice Mildred. 4. Etta, unmarried, is a book-keeper and stenographer at the Pottstown Gas Works.

Mr. Fryer is a member of the German Reformed congregation, while his wife is a Lutheran in religious faith. He is a member of the following societies: Madison Lodge, No. 466, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men, Sanatoga Tribe, No. 213, of Pottstown. Politically he is a Democrat, and was a member of the borough council for six years. He is a member of the Hook and Ladder Company of the Pottstown Fire Department, and is trustee of the Odd Fellows and Red Men. Mr. Fryer built his handsome residence on King street in 1884, and owns two other properties on Charlotte street. He learned the blacksmith trade with Mr. Israel Easner, of Apple street, Pottstown. During his apprenticeship of two years he received his board and washing, and was allowed two weeks in haymaking and harvest time to earn some spending money, and at the end of two years he received twenty-four dollars. After completing his apprenticeship he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, and worked in their blacksmith shop until it was removed to Reading, being with them for about fourteen years. He next worked for Cofrode & Saylor, in their bridge works, and was the first blacksmith they employed. He remained with them for three years. He then worked six months for the Hope Milling Company, when it was sold to the Pottstown Iron Company, with whom he remained until the plant of Ellis & Lessig was built.