WILLIAM FRY was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, November 27, 1846. When eighteen years of age, he came to Springfield and began to work as assistant miller and engineer in the Metropolitan Mills; remained there until 1865, when he began work in the Illinois Mills; remained in these mills four years and ten months, then went to Lincoln, Illinois, and worked in the Elliott Mills and Elevator four or five months, when he returned to Springfield and began work at the Leland Hotel as engineer; remained there six months, then was chief engineer in the Illinois Mills eleven months, when he took the position as chief engineer at the Riverton Paper Mills, remained there four months, then August, 1872, he began work in the Excelsior Mills as chief engineer, a position he still holds. His father, Henry Fry, was born in Kentucky; he was a farmer; he died January 2, 1875. His wife, Louisa Bell, was born in Danville, Kentucky. She is a member of the M. E. church and has had nine children, five living, viz: Fannie Dyer, Mary Mosby, Annie Fry, Joshua Fry and William Fry, the subject of this sketch, is a member of the Central Masonic Lodge, No. 3, at Springfield, Illinois. He has a common school education and attended school at Springfield, Illinois; cast his first vote for U. S. Grant for President.