J. Cleve Fry, who has gained wide recognition as an able and successful real estate man, has handled a large volume of business during the thirteen years since he quit the educational field to enter upon his present line of effort, and is numbered among Akron's progressive and enterprising business men. He was born on his father's farm in Suffield township, Portage county, Ohio, on the 13th day of June, 1882, and is a son of James S. and Mary Ellen (Myers) Fry, the latter of whom was born in Summit county, Ohio. James S. Fry was born and reared on the same farm in Portage county, Ohio, which his father, Wierman N. Fry, purchased from William Penn. James S. Fry devoted his active years to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, in which he was successful. He and his wife, both of whom are now deceased, became the parents of five children: Elson M.; J. Cleve; Henry Floyd, now deceased; Lillian Grace, also deceased; and Lester R. All of the surviving members of the family are residents of Akron.

J. Cleve Fry attended the public schools of his home neighborhood, graduating from the Suffield High school in 1902, being president of his class.