J Monroe Fry

Served in Confederate Army with his brother John Banford. They were both captured and were prisoners at the same prison camp in Maryland. After the war, they walked back home.

They ran across some relatives on the way and they wouldn't let the boys leave until they had made them new suits of clothes since the clothes they had on were so ragged.

Children listed in the census were Laura J., George J.Lewis (Louis) R., Abel A., L. Julius, Henry, Abram, William, Dock K, and Lee L.

Monroe left a special legacy to the people of Catawba County. In 1888, the Frys allowed a church called Houk's Chapel to be built on their land. Later they donated the building and land to the Methodist Church. The Frys continued to care for the church and the preacher who started the church continued to preach there until the late 1940's. Today the chapel has been restored by Hickory Landmarks Society. Some descendants of the Frys are buried in the churchyard, which later became Fairview Cemetery.

He served in Co K 35th NC Troops with brother John Banford Fry They were captured March 25, 1865 at Fort Stedman, Virginia and confined with his brother at Point Lookout, Maryland. They were released released June 26th 1865 after taking oath of allegiance.

(source: death certificate; U.S. Censuses 1880, 1900; notes on Houk's Chapel, Hickory Landmarks Society; NC Troops)