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Blairstown Press; April 15, 1924
April 10, 1924
Blairstown
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferman Observe Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary On Last Thursday
An incident of interest here the past week was the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ferman. While Mr. and Mrs. Ferman suffer some of the infirmaties that accompany advancing years, they are able to be about the home and occasionally make a trip down town. They have the assistance of a practical nurse who looks after their comfort at all times. They are spending their declining years in a pleasant home on the main thoroughfare in Blairstown to which they moved in November, 1915.
The memorable day was spent quietly. Their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kent Ferman of Cedar Rapids and their son Fred and his wife were dinner quests.
Mr. Ferman is a Civil War veteran enlisting early in the war. He was a member of the 112th Illinois infantry, and was leader of the regimental band. In addition to furnishing musical inspiration to the soldiers, it was the duty of the band members to carry the wounded from the battle fields.
After one and one-half years of service, he was granted a twenty day furlough and he returned to his home. It was during this furlough that Mrs. Ferman became his bride. The ceremony occurred on April 10th, 1864 at Galesburg, Illinois. On his return to his regiment, Mrs. Ferman accompanied him as far as Kentucky. He joined General Sherman in his memorable march to the Sea and the bride of 60 years ago returned to her home, and did her "bit" by teaching school and kept the home fires burning pending the return of her soldier husband.
At the close of the war in 1865, the young people turned their faces toward Iowa, "The Land of Promise". They reached Blairstown in October, 1865, and purchased a farm east of town from Hon. Jacob Springer. The farm was in its virgin prairie state. Mr. Ferman at once commenced the building of a home, doing the work himself. This farm consisted of 320 acres, and is still among his holdings.
In the 1873, when the Grange movement was at its heighth, Mr. Ferman was induced to take charge of the affairs of the Grange locally and moved in to town. After one year of this work, he purchased the farm lying adjacent to Blairstown on the north, now known as Fermanville and containing 500 acres. He immediately moved on the farm. By the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Ferman, this harm has been brought to a high state of cultivation and the buildings and improvements resemble a small village in number.
Besides their farming activities, they have always been identified with all movements for the advancements of the community. Mr. Ferman has been connected with the Benton County State Bank since 1873, first with A. F. Allen as Director and Vice-President and later with Leonard Kimm, serving as President for a number of years. This position he resigned a year or so agon on account of failing health.
Through the years Mr. Ferman has been a faithful worker in the G. A. R. and is always present at the Decoration Day exercises. For many years, he led the local drum corps. Other members were his brother-in-law, the Hayden brothers.
During all the years, Mrs. Ferman has assisted her soldier husband to carry on , and by her courage, helpfullness and frugality has been a big help in his material success. But for her devotion to her family and her home, Mrs. Ferman would undoubtedly have become well known in the literary world. As it is, she has done some very creditable work with her pen, both in prose and poetry.
The one great sorrow that has come to Mr. and Mrs. Ferman was the death of the son, Kent, who had gained considerable prominence in the civic, business and social life of Cedar Rapids.
One son, Fred, is still living, and he with his family still reside on the old home place north of town. Three daughter are still living. They are Laura, wife of H. C. Pitney, Dixon, Illinois, Cordelia, wife of Fred Bauman of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and Ethel, wife of J. R. Cline of Blairstown. They have two granddaughters, the Misses Ruth and Florence Ferman who reside with their mother, Mrs. Kent Ferman in Cedar Rapids. Trey also have three grandsons; Robert and Corless Bauman, of Mt. Vernon and Robert Cline of this place.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferman each have a sister living, otherwise, they are the last of their respective families. During their residence in and near Blairstown, they have seen the major potion of their old friends move away or pass on, and with the memory of these friends drifting back to them from time to time, it is natural that they should feel somewhat lonely because of the broken ties.
These pioneer people have kept abreast of the times and are interested in all of the world's latest events and yet, they can readily draw from their knowledge of the past a tale almost makes their hearers feel they are living in another world.
The Press joins their many friends in extending greetings, and trust that there may be many more anniversaries of the event of 1864.
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