William H. Fryer - El Paso, Texas

William H. Fryer, AFSC (Affiliated Member of the Brother of the Christian Schools) (1880-1963) A criminal lawyer, William Henry Fryer was born in Brooklyn, New York where he was educated by the Christian Brothers. He first came to El Paso to recuperate from typhoid fever, returning permanently after receiving his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Fryer served as an attorney for the county and the federal government before returning to private practice. He battled against speakeasies, World War I era food profiteers and the KKK’s domination of the local school board in 1920s. He helped Brothers escaping persecution in Mexico to cross into the U.S. Later, he advocated for the Brothers to staff the new Cathedral High School. Fryer was also a Member of the Knights of Columbus, and started the Catholic Men’s Organization in El Paso.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: EPMH

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History