Edward Miles Frye

EDWARD MILES FRYE, a prominent and influential citizen of Monessen, Pennsylvania. and postmaster of that borough, was born at Grapeville, Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. July 3, 1862 the son of Samuel and Margaret (Branthooer) Friye, and is of German origin. The progenitor of this family in America was the paternal great-grandfather of Edward M.. who emigrated to this country from Germany. and engaged in school teaching, also instructing in singing and German.

Samuel, the father of Edward M. Frye, was born on the old homestead, at Delmont, Pennsylvania. In early life he was a contractor and builder of houses and barns, but later gave his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Reformed church. Samuel and Margaret (Branthooer) Frye had children: Susan J., married Zephaniah Painter, of Salem township; W. John, of Grapeville; Edward M., mentioned hereafter; Elmer Ellsworth, a packer, of Jeannette; Robert P., died at the age of two years ; Hettie, deceased, wife of John McCurdy; Mary Ann, married E. Allwine; Clara, wife of W. J. Duncan, of Harmony; Sallie Agnes, married William Allwine, of Jeannette; Nannie, wife of W. H. Steiner, of Grapeville; Samuel P., of Jeannette, Pa., and one who died in infancy. The father. of the above mentioned children was a soldier in the war of the rebellion. His death occurred in March, 1905, and his wife died in December, 1904.

Edward M. Frye acquired his early intellectual training in the public schools of his native place, and later attended Delmont Academy two terms ; Dayton Academy one term; Cavode Academy one term, and Grove City College two years. Mr. Frye worked his way through the last named institutions, teaching during the winter seasons, and studying in summer, from the time he was nineteen until he was twenty-six years of age. September 24, 1888, he entered into partnership with a Mr. Painter, in Boquet. Pennsylvania, engaging in the general merchandise business. This arrangement existed for one year, when Mr. Frye purchased the interest of his partner, and conducted the business alone until March 1, 1899, when he removed to Monessen and opened a shoe store. This he carried on with considerable success for eighteen months, and then sold out and formed a partnership with John W. Manown, establishing a real estate and insurance business. At the .end of a year he purchase his partner's interest, and conducted the business alone in East Monessen, until March i, 1905, achieving the most gratifying success. In political affiliations he is a supporter of the Republican party, and has held many elective offices in his borough. March 1, 1905, he was appointed postmaster of Monessen, in the duties of which position he is now engaged. He was elected borough treasurer in 1900, and occupied this office for five years. He has served as a member of the county committee for the past fifteen years, and has also served as delegate to the state convention. Fraternally he is a member of the F. and A. M., Monessen Lodge, No. 638, Monongahela City Chapter, No. 249, R. A.; B. P. O. E., No. 773, of which he has been secretary since 1904; K. P., No. 176; I. O. O. F., Monessen Lodge: Modern Woodmen of America and Foresters. He is a director of the First National Bank of Monessen, and is a member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church. Edward M. Frye married, May 13, 1890, Emaline S. Snyder, daughter of David and Mary (Cline) Snyder. They have three children: Ralph W., Wayne V. and Irene M.  

Source: Page(s) 227-228, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

Westmoreland County Genealogy Project Notice:

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format, for any presentation, without prior written permission.