EUGENE HOUGH FRYE

Sacramento County

Biographies

EUGENE HOUGH FRYE

EUGENE HOUGH FRYE.--A very interesting citizen who is a native son of California is Eugene Hough Frye, who was born on the old William H. Frye ranch south of Franklin January 1, 1861. His father, William H. Frye, was a native of Kentucky, born near Frankfort, whose parents had emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky in early days and afterwards moved to Louisiana, Mo., when William H. Frye was twelve years of age; and there he grew up and resided until he learned of the discovery of gold in California. He immediately joined the band of argonauts and in 1849 crossed the plains in an ox-team train. The first two years he followed mining at Salmon Falls on the American River; and in 1852, having bought a squatters' title, he located on a farm just south of Franklin, engaged in farming, and later purchased more land and had 640 acres in a body. He did general farming, raising fruits, grain, horses, and cattle. After a very long, active and useful life he passed away January 2, 1906, aged nearly ninety-three years. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Sanford) Frye, born in New York State. She crossed the plains in 1852 with her first husband, Charles Hough, who died soon after their arrival in Sacramento, without issue. By her union with Mr. Frye she had five children, four of whom grew up. James died in infancy, Edward is a rancher four miles north of Franklin. Charles T. is with the Pure Milk Distributors in Sacramento. Eugene is the subject of this review, and J. Henry is associated with Eugene in their farming enterprise.

Eugene Frye received a good education in the public schools. From a boy he assisted his father on the ranch and early in life learned to handle the ten-horse teams used in the grain fields, driving the header and later the combined harvester and thresher, using twenty-six horses for motive power. His father divided his holdings between his sons and Eugene came into possession of 240 acres, a part of the home ranch, which is devoted to vineyard, alfalfa and grain. He and his brother, J. Henry, operate their ranches in partnership, the places being well improved with pumping plants and the latest machinery, using both tractors and horses for motive power. The latter was born on the home place September 28, 1863, where he has spent his entire life, during which time he has been a partner of his brother. He gave the right of way to the Western Pacific Railroad.

Henry Frye was married in Franklin in 1892 to Miss Minnie Peak, who was born in Missouri, where she grew to womanhood, after which she came to Sacramento. He is a member of the Modern Woodsmen of America and she of the Royal Neighbors. Eugene Frye was one of the organizers of the Elk Grove Cooperative Vineyard Association in 1909. They built the winery at Elk Grove with a capacity of 500,000 gallons. Mr. Frye has been active in directing its affairs, serving as president and manager. Since the adoption of the eighteenth amendment the farmers are shipping their grapes. He is a member of the board of directors of the California Grape Growers' Exchange, having their headquarters in San Francisco. He has taken an active part in the county farm bureau, serving as secretary of the Franklin Local. As a son of a forty-niner Mr. Frye is interested in preserving early history and pioneer landmarks, and so we find him a member of Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, Native Sons of the Golden West.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 773. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.