From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"One of Harlem's young business men who possesses those qualities which make good citizens and good business men -- honesty, sobriety and perseverance -- is Mr. Fred Fry, who was born in 1872 at County Line, Jefferson County, Iowa, on a farm. He worked on the farm and attended country school during the winter months. At eighteen years of age he left the farm, went to Fairfield, Iowa, where he learned the barber's trade. In 1891 he went to Keithsburg, Ill., where he conducted for some time a three-chair shop. Attracted by a great city, he came to Chicago in 1893, where he worked at his trade. He was induced in 1894 to come to Harlem, where he opened a barber shop at 88 Des Plaines Ave. In 1897 he built his own shop at 101 Des Plaines Ave. In 1905 he built a store-room addition to his building, in which he opened a first-class boot and shoe store, where he carries as fine and complete a stock of goods as can be found in the village. He also has a repair department, which is busy all the time.
"In 1895 he was married to Miss Sophia Schulze, a daughter of one of Harlem's oldest and most respected citizens. She takes an active interest in the boot and shoe department. Her fine social qualities are adding greatly to her husband's success. They heave two children -- Ferdinand and Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are held in high esteem by their friends, and are members of several social organizations."