History of the Fry Family

Fry Elementary School is named for the Fry family, which came to the area by wagon from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1854. They were tradesmen in landscaping and horticulture and settled on 999 acres in Will County. The next generation became farmers, blacksmiths, masons, sawmill operators, cattlemen, government officials, land developers and teachers.

John Fry, whose grandfather was among the original settlers, remained in Naperville to become a land developer. His brothers studied medicine, law, accounting and business.

Members of the Fry family have been deeply involved in education. Several family members served on boards of education in school districts that preceded Indian Prairie District 204. John’s wife, Laurabelle, taught second grade at Wheatland Elementary School, and one of her students was her son, Gordon. Gordon’s wife, Debbie, also attended Wheatland.

Brother Larry attended Wheatland and, in 1999, served on District 204’s “12 at 12” finance committee. Brother J. Alan Fry was an organizing member and has been chairman of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation since its inception in 1988. His wife, Nancy, teaches music at Fry Elementary.

All of the Fry children either attend or have graduated from District 204 schools. Alan and Gordon continue the business their father started, as did brother Larry before his death last year.

By Penny Catour