McDonough County IL Archives Biographies.....Ferris, Hiram May 13, 1822 - August 20, 1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 9, 2009, 6:10 pm Source: McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown HIRAM G. FERRIS was for many years one of the most prominent business men and leading citizens of Carthage, and when called to the home beyond, his loss was mourned throughout the entire community, for he had not only won many friends, but was ever interested in those enterprises which were calculated to prove of public benefit. His father was Stephen G. Ferris, a pioneer of Hancock County, who emi- grated with his family to the West, and settled in Fountain Green, December 18, 1832, the journey being made in a flatboat down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, where they boarded a steamer. Hiram was then a lad of ten years, for he was born May 13, 1822, in Steuben County, N. Y. In early life he attended the common schools, and afterwards pursued his studies in Knox College at Galesburg. In company with David D. Colton, in 1850 he made the overland trip to California, and took a leading part in public affairs. He was appointed one of the Commissioners who or- ganized Siskiyou County, of which he afterward served for two terms as Circuit Clerk. At that time Gen. Colton was Sheriff of the county, which contained many rough characters among the min- ers. On one occasion a mob tried to rescue one of their number who was in jail, but Mr. Ferris and Gen. Colton kept them back with drawn revolvers. Our subject also witnessed the Mor- mon War, but did not take part in it. He served as Deputy Sheriff in 1842, and was highly spoken of by his superior officer. In 1857 he returned from California to Hancock County, and, having previously studied law, was admitted to the Bar. He formed a partnership with the firm of Hooker & Edmunds, which continued until 1863, when Mr. Edmunds withdrew. Mr. Ferris, however, continued in the business until the following year. In 1865 he embarked in the banking and real-es- tate business with F. M. Corby, and established what became the Hancock County National Bank, of which he was elected President, and continued to serve as such until his death. In McDonough County, August 20, 1857, Mr- Ferris married Miss Julia E. Holton, and to them were born nine children: Junius C.; Esta Maude, wife of Frank H. Graves, an attorney of Spokane, Wash.; Julia, wife of L. P. Hubbs, of Clayton; Ellen, wife of Ralph E. Scofield, an attorney of Kansas City; Phoebe, who was married October 4, 1893, to George W. Wooster, of Spokane, Wash.; Hiram B., Joel E. and Harold G., who are still at home. Junius and Stephen are con- nected with the bank in which their father's old partner, Mr. Corby, was interested until his sudden death in Chicago. His widow still holds her husband's shares of stock in the same. Mr. Ferris became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1850, and several times served as Master of the Blue Lodge. He also belonged to the chapter, council and commandery. He was honored with a number of city offices, having served as President and Councilman, and for many years was on the Board of Education. The cause of temperance ever found in him a most stalwart advocate, and he strongly opposed the licensing of saloons in Carthage. He was al- ways found on the side of right and justice, was strictly honorable in all business dealings, and his word was as good as his bond. He won suc- cess not by over-reaching others, but by good management, industry and enterprise. He was always alive to the best interests of the city, and was liberal in the support of everything which he believed would prove of benefit to the community. Those who had known him from early life were numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which tells of an honorable record, well worthy of emulation. He passed away August 20, 1893. The funeral services were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, and a large concourse of friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to one who had long been among them. He was a loyal citizen, a faithful and considerate friend, a kind and loving husband and father, and left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/photos/bios/ferris1539gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/bios/ferris1539gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb