Orange

FRARY, Solon Franklin

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 146-147 
(portrait p 146)

Solon Franklin FRARY, of South Strafford, was born 27 January 1822 in 
Strafford [Orange County, Vermont], son of Jonathan and Lydia Colcord 
(BLAISDELL) FRARY. He is lineally descended from John FRARY, who came from 
England in 1638, and was among the earliest settlers of the town of Dedham 
[Norfolk County], Massachusetts. The progenitors of Mr. FRARY for three 
generations are buried in the town of Strafford [Orange County, Vermont]. He 
received his education in the common schools and Norwich University, and 
commenced the active business of life in a country store as clerk with Hon. 
J. S. MORRILL and Judge Jedediah HARRIS, at Thetford [Orange County, 
Vermont], where he remained for three years. He then returned to Strafford, 
where he continued to engage in trade until 1890, when he retired from the 
pursuits of active life. Mr. FRARY has always been a Republican; has held 
the offices of town treasurer, town agent, justice of the peace, and chairman 
of the board of auditors. He was chosen representative of the town in the 
Legislature of 1872, and was elected in 1888 from Orange County to the state 
Senate. He discharged the duties of postmaster for twenty-eight years, has 
often been made chairman of the Republican town committee, and was one of the 
trustees of Goddard Seminary, being one of the auditors of their accounts and 
chairman of the investment committee. He is liberal in his religious views, 
and has been a generous supporter of all the societies of his town. On 18 
December 1854 he [Solon Franklin FRARY] was united in marriage to Adeliza, 
daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (KENT) GILMAN. Their children are: 
Gertrude, and Bessie Jane.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly