Sixth Generation

57. Elizabeth "Betsey" GETMAN was born on 20 August 1823 in Columbia Center, Herkimer County, NY.^26,28,29 She died on 6 March 1901 at the age of 77 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^28,29,30

Obituary Notes: "Died, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. Medd, in Tomah, Wednesday, March 6th, 1901, Mrs. Elizabeth Fryer, in the 78th year of her age.

Elizabeth Getman, daughter of Peter and Barbara Getman, was born in Columbia, Herkimer County, New York, Aug. 20, 1823. She was marred to Mr. John Fryer Sept. 1st, 1844. Soon after their marriage they turned their eyes to the then new west, stopping first at Troy, this state, then Baraboo; and in 1855 with three children they located in what is now LaGrange Township, near Tomah.

At once they began to carve out a home, first for temporary use erecting a log shanty and later a more comfortable log home. They were compelled to undergo the many hardships of frontier life such as were incident to this country in an early day, going long distance to mill and for such articles of merchandise as were needed, until Tomah had reached such magnitude as to demand a store.

In July, 1883, Mrs. Fryer met the great bereavement of life in the loss of her husband, a devout Christian and staunch member of the M.E. Church for 40 years. Mr. and Mrs. Fryer were the parents of six children. The oldest, Harvey, died in 1860. The remaining children, all present at the funeral, are Mrs. Sarah Hanchett, of Shelby, Mich.; Mrs. Libbie Medd, Tomah, Wis.; Mrs. Lettie McMullen, Marshfield, Wis.; Mrs. Clara Calkins, Washburn, Wis.; and Mr. W. S. Fryer, Tomah, Wis. Mrs. Fryer also has one sister living, Mrs. Fred Wise, of Tomah, Wis.

For the past nine years Mrs. Fryer has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Medd. At 18 years of age she was converted. The church record of the local church here has always since the founding of the organization contained her name. Her memory went back to Methodism's first pastor in Tomah, Mr. Jno. Holt, who preached here in 1856. Mrs. Fryer has ever shown the world a God fearing, devout Christian character. She was extremely compensated by the memory of a grand life, well lived. Heaven is the richer.

The funeral was conducted according to plans arranged by the deceased long before her death. It was held Sunday afternoon, March 19th, from the home, Rev. C. E. Butters using the text that Mrs. Fryer had chosen, Ps. 23:4. The choir sang selections chosen also by the deceased. The remains were laid to rest in the Tomah cemetery beside those of her beloved husband." She was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^28,31 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Elizabeth "Betsey" GETMAN and John FRYER were married on 2 September 1844 in Utica, Oneida County, NY.^29,32,33,34 (Her obituary listed her marriage date as September 1st.) John FRYER, son of William FRYER and Mary UNKNOWN (FRYER), was born on 21 August 1821 in England, United Kingdom.^32,33 He emigrated in 1829 from England, United Kingdom.³³ He appeared in the census in 1860 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ About 1879 John was a farmer in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^26,32 He also owned a hay pressing business called Hitchcock and Fryer. He appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ He died on 29 July 1884 at the age of 62 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^28,32,33 John was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^28,31,35 in the Oak Grove Cemetery. He served in the military.³⁵ He served in Company I, 49th Infantry.

Elizabeth "Betsey" GETMAN and John FRYER had the following children: