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| SOLOMON F. FRYE, Postmaster at Altona, was born in Pennsylvania, July 22, 1844. His parents, David K. and Elizabeth (Fordyce) Frye, were born in the Keystone State and died in West Virginia when the son was 14 years of age. From that time he had his own way to make in the world. He found a home with his uncle, Archibald Fordyce, the two years succeeding his parents' death. He was then 16 years old, and enlisted at Philadelphia, enrolling in the regiment under Col. Baker. He was finally assigned to the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers, and remained in the service 14 months, receiving honorable discharge for physical disability, the result of excessive exposure. He saw active service at Little Bethel, Munson Hill, Ball's Bluff and Malvern Hill. He was captured at Ball's Bluff, and the severe marching and hardships following his capture were the cause of his impaired health. He was without food for four days and three nights, and then only received the samll quantity of four ounces of bread. The experiences of Mr. Frye at Libby prison are those whose horrors are renewed every time they are repeated, and never lose their dread character. The strong man who weighed 176 pounds on being incarcerated, on his exchange four months later weighed 60 pounds. Upon his being sent to Wshington he received a furlough and returned to Harrisburg, where, by special order of Gov. Curtin, he returned to his regiment, but soon after was seized with the samll-pox, and sent to the small-pox hospital, near Fortress Monroe; but not long after he was ordered to Albany, N.Y., for treatment. Two months later he rejoined his regiment in time to participate in the battle of Malvern Hill. In a month he was discharged at Harrison's Landing and returned to his native State. He was so enfeebled that he could not labor for two years. On regaining his health in a measure he was employed as watchman on the Ohio River for a year, and was afterward in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., where he worked for two years. He came to St. Louis, Mich., and was first engaged in rafting to Bay City, and then was in the employ fo different parties, locating lands in Northern Michigan. In 1877 he returned to Pennsylvania and taught primary schools two years. He came back to the Peninsular State and locate din Clare County. There he was occupied four years as superintendent of a shingle mill. He formed a partnership with R. M Shumway, in mercantile business at Farwell, Clare Co., selling out two years later, soon after coming to Hinton Tp., Mecosta Co., and engaging in the drug business with Dr. J. E. Gruber, of Altona. This relation was dissolved in May, 1882. He received his appointment as Postmster Oct. 31, 1882, under President Arthur. Mr. Frye was married in Isabella Co., Mich., March 3, 1867, to Lucy, daughter of David, and Sarah Leonard. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and spent their entire lives there. Of this marriage four children have been born - Edward B. and Edwin(twins), born June 5, 1878; Archibald F., July 3, 1877, and Edith M., Aug. 13, 1882. Mr. Frye is a Republican, and has been Township Clerk three terms, and is a member of the Republican County Committee. He and his family attend the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Frye is a member. |