Airhart M. Fry, who is accounted one of the leading business citizens of Piqua, prominently engaged in large contracting transactions, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 8, 1860, a son of Henry and Theresa (Freshom) Fry. Henry Fry was a born mechanic and throughout his career followed the trade of cabinet maker. He and his worthy wife were the parents of seven children: Charles H., Ferdinand, Airhart M., John, Henry; Mary, who became Mrs. John Brunner; and Emma, deceased. Airhart M. Fry received his education in the public schools of Darke county, to which locality his parents had removed when he was a small boy, and there he began his career as a farm hand. Later he was engaged in similar work by the month, in Preble county, his entire farming experience covering a period of three years. Learning the carpenter trade, he later came to Miami county and for a time resided in Newberry township, and likewise lived at Bloomer, where he followed his chosen vocation. In 1890 Mr. Fry came to Piqua, where he followed carpentry for a time and subsequently embarked in the contracting business, in which he has won marked success and prominence. Among the buildings which he has erected may be noted the following: the Lutheran Church, the Young Men's Christian Association building, Benkert's dry goods store, Orr-Flesh building, the buildings of the Atlas Underwear Company at Piqua, Ohio, and Richmond, Ind.; St. Boniface parochial school, Piqua; buildings of Miller Brothers Hardware Company, at Richmond, Ind.; Milford Center (Miami county) High School; the Lutheran church and high school at Marysville; the high and graded schools at Circleville, Ohio; a school at Troy; the residences of John P. Spiker, L. M. Flesh and Allen Rundle, at Piqua; the Morrison Orr country home; the Hartley residence at Piqua; buildings of the French Oil Machine Company, at Piqua; the residence of H. L. Johnson, of Troy; and the Bethel township school. Mr. Fry is a skilled and specialized workman in his line, a shrewd and reliable man of business, and a contractor who lived up strictly to the letter of his agreements and who takes a keen and justifiable pride in his handiwork. He is a valued and popular member of the Piqua Club and a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. His first wife, who died in 1898, bore the maiden name of Angeline Routsorf, and they were the parents of four children: Alvin V., who was in the United States Army during the World war; Margery E., Raymond C. and Nina E. Mr. Fry married for his second wife Miss Charlotta Hohendorf, and they are the parents of one child, Airhart M., Jr., Mr. Fry has contributed materially in the upbuilding of his city through the fulfillment of his contracts, and his service to his community has been enhanced further by a strict observance of all the rules of good citizenship.