Dates

• Existence: 1824 - 1892

Biography

Benjamin St. James Fry (1824-1892) was a Methodist minister, United States Civil War chaplain, and journalist.

Reverend Benjamin St. James Fry (or Frey) was born on June 16, 1824, in Rutledge, Tennessee. He was educated at Woodward College, Cincinnati, began to contribute to the Cincinnati "Times" in 1840, and in 1844 was joint editor and publisher of the "Western Rambler." He became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1847, was president of Worthington College for young women from 1856 to 1860. From 1861 to 1864 he was chaplain of the 22nd and 63rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiments, serving in the United States Civil War. In 1865, he was placed in charge of the Methodist Book Concern at St. Louis and conducted its business until he was elected editor of the Central Christian Advocate in 1872; he was so successful that he was re-elected for the next twenty years, and also served as a delegate to the general conferences of 1876, 1880, 1884, and 1888. In the last-named year he was a member of the Methodist ecumenical conference in London, England, and of the Baltimore Centennial conference, before which he read an essay on the "Methodist Press." Quincy College, Illinois, gave him the degree of D.D. in 1871.

Dr. Fry contributed to various periodicals, and published several Sunday School books, including sketches on the lives of various bishops; he also wrote a prize essay, "Property Consecrated," in 1856. He married Elizabeth Nixon Baldwin on September 16, 1852, in Hamilton, Ohio. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 3 daughters: Frances Rhodes (1853-1937), Robert Augustus (1854-at least 1880), Caroline Baldwin (1856-1922), Eliabeth Tribbey (1861-1863), and Emma Louise (1864-1866). He died of erysipelas and epidemic influenza on February 5, 1892, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Citation:

FamilySearch, accessed April 12, 2023 (Benjamin St. James Fry, born 16 June 1824 in Rutledge, Tennessee; married Elizabeth Nixon Baldwin 16 September 1852 in Hamilton, Ohio. 2 sons and 3 daughters: Frances Rhodes (1853-1937), Robert Augustus (1854), Caroline Baldwin (1856-1922), Eliabeth Tribbey (1861-1863), and Emma Louise (1864-1866); died 5 February 1892 in St. Louis, Missouri; buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio; also known as Rev. Benjamin St. James Frey; 1865, placed in charge of Methodist Book Concern at St. Louis, conducted business until elected editor of Central Christian Advocate in 1872; re-elected for the next twenty years; delegate to general conferences of 1876, 1880, 1884, 1888; died of erysipelas after attack of 'grip' (epidemic influenza)).

Famous Americans.net, via WWW, May 31, 2023 (Benjamin St. James Fry; journalist; educated at Woodward College, Cincinnati, began to contribute to the Cincinnati "Times" in 1840, and in 1844 was joint editor and publisher of the "Western Rambler." He became a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1847, was president of Worthington College for young women in 1856'60, and in 1861'4 was chaplain of the 63d Ohio regiment. In 1872 he was elected editor of the St. Louis "Central Christian Advocate," and reelected in 1876, 1880, and 1884. In the last-named year he was a member of the Methodist ecumenical conference in London, England, and of the Baltimore Centennial conference, before which he read an essay on the "Methodist Press." Quincy College, Illinois, gave him the degree of D. D. in 1871. Dr. Fry has contributed to various periodicals, and published several Sunday School books, including lives of Bishops Whatcoat (1854), McKendree (1855), Roberts (1856), and George (1856); and "Property Consecrated," a prize essay (New York, 1856).)

UPB files, April 12, 2023 (appointed chaplain of the 22nd Regiment, O.V.I., by Colonel Gilmore; reported for duty Sptember 27, 1861).

Ohio History Connection Civil War guide, via WWW accessed May 31, 2023 (letter from Fry to Governor William Dennison detailing service as chaplain of 63rd regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Camp Tupper in Marietta, Ohio; past service as chaplain of 22nd Ohio O.V.I. at Camp Chillicothe, appointment to that post through Colonel William Gilmore from September 17, 1861) https://resources.ohiohistory.org/onlinedoc/civilwar/sa0147/new/26_07.php

The life of Robert R. Roberts [MI] 1856 (hdg. on LCP rept.: Fry, Benjamin St. James, 1824-1892; usage: Benjamin St. James Fry)

LC data base, 03-31-92 (hdg.: Fry, Benjamin St. James, 1824-1892)

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