Francis Fries:
from Quiet Moravian Town to Industrial Giant
Francis Levin Fries, a town local with a saavy business mind, took Salem to new heights when he opened the F & H Fries Manufacturing Company. Twelve years after his death, we remember all the good he did for the community, and how his legacy still
shapes our town.
Francis Levin Fries could be called
many things, but for Salem he was known
as a businessman, a community leader,
and a fair employer. He took great interest
in creating ways for our community to be
strong as manufacturing became an
economic necessity. Prior to and during
the War, he made certain his actions were
best for his business, his customers, and
his workers. Fries was born October 7,
1812 to parents of strong Moravian faith.
Once old enough, he was sent to Nazareth
Hall in Pennsylvania to study theology.
After completing his schooling, and against his father’s hopes, he chose not to join the church as a pastor and instead studied law while teaching at the Salem Boys’ School. Being a man with great aspirations, he decided he no longer enjoyed the company of his law books and after a year up north learning the tools of the trade, took a position as Secretary of the Salem Manufacturing Company .
His time there seems to be what sparked his desire to start his own mill, and according to his son, John W. Fries, his plans began in
Francis Levin Fries , ca. 1860 (Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens).