[Trade Journal]
Publication: National Glass Budget
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 71, no. 34, p. 6,16, col. 1-2,4
Henry C. Fry Early Dean of
Flint Glass Manufacturers
Mr. Henry Clay Fry was known as the dean of the flint glass manufacturers, philanthropist, Civil war veteran and the "grand old man" of Rochester, Pa.
He was born at Lexington, Kentucky, on September 17, 1840, and received an education at that place. At the age of seventeen years he came to Pittsburgh and entered the glass works of William Phillips, and Company as assistant shipping clerk. Five years later found him in the position of manager and head salesman. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served in that unit until mustered out in 1864. He took part in all of the engagements of the Army of the Cumberland. After the war he returned to Pittsbugh [sic] Pittsburgh and began the manufacture of glass, with the firm known as Lippincott-Fry, who were suceeded [sic] succeeded by Fry and Company. This firm was succeeded by Fry and Scott and then by Fry, Semple and Reynolds which operated the plant at the foot of Seventeenth Street, South Side, Pittsburgh. At that time every plant had a nickname and this factory was known as the "circus." Later on, this plant was taken over by the late Thomas Evans. In 1869 Mr. Fry retired from the firm of Fry, Semple and Reynolds and accepted the position of general manager with James B. Lyon and Company of Pittsburgh and conducted it with great success for the next two years. In 1872 Mr. Fry left Pittsburgh with a crew of highly skilled workmen for Rochester, Pa., where he formed the Rochester Tumbler Company, specializing in the production for common tumblers and beer mugs. He continued with this company until it had seven furnaces in a row with a total of about one hundred pots in operation. It was at this factory that he began to manufacture thin blown tumblers by the hand process. The company was successful until destroyed by fire in 1899. In the meantime Mr. Fry had been elected president of the National Glass Company which operated 19 factories, from which he resigned in order that he might realize a growing ambition to build and operate the most modern factory of the day. This desire was realized when he erected the H. C. Fry Glass Company of North Rochester, Pa. This plan was considered to be one of the largest of its kind, most modernly equipped and on account of the spacious grounds and the beautiful flowers and shrubbery, it appeared more like a residence than a manufacturing institution.
In this new plant, the very finest quality of glass, for cutting purposes was manufactured. Then when colored glassware became popular, some of the most beautiful tints that were ever seen in glassware came from the Fry factory. The firm also developed technical glassware, reflectors, searchlights and became internationally known for Fry’s "oven glass" which was used in the home in many lands for cooking purposes.
The road travelled by the distinguished glass man was not always one of roses. While always considered a very successful manufacturer, Mr. Fry encountered many battles. Being a man of strong conviction and outstanding courage, he had his own ideas and principles for which he fought determinedly to uphold. He took great pride in producing the finest quality of ware, and prizes won abroad, as well as at the world’s fair at St. Louis, are still in evidence. He was a staunch believer in maintaining a firm market and, likewise, it was his policy to pay the very highest wages possible and make the working conditions the best for the workmen employed in his factories. Perhaps he was one of the most misunderstood men who was ever engaged in the industry. The active part he took in bringing about the introduction of machinery and his desire to operate non-union because he was not a supporter of certain union rules, caused him many a serious conflict from which he generally emerged the victor. As a man, a friend, a competitor and an employer, Mr. Fry possessed many meritorious qualifications.
