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DAVID P. FERRIS. In Hamilton county, Ohio, near the
corporate limits of the city of Cincinnati, on a farm, which
then belonged to Gen. William Henry Harrison, David P. Ferris,
the subject of this brief biographical notice was born on the
eighth day of January, 1816. His parents, Isaiah and Lucinda
(Crouch) Ferris, who were natives of Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
moved to Ohio about 1815, and settled on the farm above
mentioned, where they resided a short time, during which time
their son, David P., was born.
They subsequently moved to
Dearborn county, Ind., where they lived for twenty-one years,
moving thence to St. Joseph county, that state, and settling
near the town of Mishawaukee, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. They belonged to the pioneer class of American
citizens, the father being a carpenter and farmer, and passing
his life in the industrious pursuit of these two callings. He
served in the War of 1812, and afterwards moved into the country
and helped to rescue from the wilderness of nature, the soil
which he had helped to win from the savages and enemies of his
country. He and his wife were for many years members of the
Baptist church, and brought up their children in the path of
honesty, sobriety and moral rectitude. They had twelve children,
two of whom died in infancy, the remainder reaching maturity;
most of them marrying and having families. These were Belinda,
Parmelia, Zubie, David P., Betsie, Lucinda, Roxie, Melina, Louis
and Isaiah.
David P. Ferris was reared on a farm in Dearborn county,
Ind. He received a limited common school education, most of his
boyhood and youth being spent in the labors of the farm, his
school days being restricted to a few months daring winter. But
he grew up a good, strong, healthy boy, and if his mental
equipment was not the best, he was taught habits of industry
which went far towards compensating for his other disadvantages.
He married just before he attained his twentieth year, and began
life for himself. He settled on a farm in St. Joseph county,
Ind., where he continued in agricultural pursuits for nearly
twenty years, his first move being in 1856, when he came to Iowa
and settled where he now lives in Delaware county. On coming to
Delaware county Mr. Ferris bought eighty acres of land in
section 15, Delaware township, on which he located and on which
he has since resided. He has added to this, however, by other
purchases, until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres
lying in one body, most of which is under cultivation and
otherwise well improved. The improvements represent his own
labor, as he took his land when it was all raw prairie. His
first dwelling was a small frame, 16x18, and his first stable
was the cheap ship delap affair common in those days. In 1876 he
built his present residence, which is a handsome structure,
having all conveniences necessary for use and enjoyment. In 1875
he erected part of his present barn, adding to it in 1887, now
having a building sufficient to house his stock and farm
products. He has nice groves of trees and shrubbery, which are
the result of his own industry and skill, he having set out
every sprig now growing on his place. While thus looking after
his own interest, he has kept pace with the progress of affairs
in his township and has lent a helping hand to every worthy
enterprise and purpose which have sought aid at his hands.
On August 12,1834, Mr. Ferris married, his choice for a
life companion falling on a young lady whom he had known from
girlhood up, Miss Hannah A. Cook, of Dearborn county, Ind., she
having been born in that county, and being a daughter of Elisha
and Wealthy Cook, who wore among the early settlers of that
locality. By this marriage Mr. Ferris had four children, all
girls, as follows: Nancy, Rosetta; and Wealthy and Lucinda,
twins. August 12, 1838, Mrs. Ferris died, and May 12, 1840, Mr.
Ferris married again, taking as his second wife Miss Lucy
Vaughn, of St. Joseph county, Ind., she being a native, however,
of Dearborn county, that state, born in 1818, and a daughter of
Jesse and Barbara Vaughn. Mr. Ferris had the misfortune to lose
his second wife November 8, 1883, she having been the mother of
seven children, all but one of whom survive her. These are
Mary, Rebecca E., Daniel, Gilbert, Charles, Almira (deceased)
and Jay V.
Mr. Ferris has never been a politician, but he has taken
some interest in public matters. He cast his first presidential
vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison during his second
candidacy. He voted with the Whigs as long as that party
maintained its organization. On its dissolution and the
formation of the republican party, he joined that organization,
and has voted the republican ticket since.
Delaware county has not within its borders a more
industrious, upright, kinder hearted citizen than David P.
Ferris. |
