Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Ferriss, Daniel 1819 - ************************************************ 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: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 6:17 pm Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890 DANIEL FERRISS. It is a blessing which comes not to all, to have parents of whom their children may be proud and of whom they may justly speak as models after which to shape their own lives. The subject of this sketch has the most intense filial feeling, and alludes to his parents in terms of reverent affection that proves them to have been worthy of his heart's best love. The father of our subject was Thomas Ferriss, born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1789, and son of a surveyor who mysteriously disappeared on one of his trips and was never again heard from. Thomas Ferriss enlisted in the War of 1812 and during a part of the conflict acted as a teamster. On July 4, 1813, at the bride's home in Pennsylvania he married Miss Desire Lake who was born in Wilkesbarre, in 1790. She was the daughter of Daniel Lake, a Revolutionary soldier who lived to be more than four-score and ten years old. The Lake family was noted for the longevity of most of the members. About 1818, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ferriss took up their abode in Washington County, N. Y., whence they removed to Jefferson County a few years later and from thereto St. Lawrence County. On September 14, 1839, the faithful wife and mother closed her eyes in death, leaving behind her the memory of wise counsels which have left their impress during all the years that have passed since her voice became silent. In 1844, Thomas Ferriss and his family came to Illinois, locating in Lake County. Five years later they removed to Wesley Township, this county, renting a farm which was the home until 1854. One year after their settlement upon it the father crossed the plains to California attracted by the reports of the successful search for precious metal, and during the four years which followed he was able to save $1,800 in gold. He then returned to the Prairie State and located on the farm now occupied by our subject, and there he closed his eyes in death May 25, 1875. His son Daniel had promised the mother upon her deathbed that he would always look after his father, and right well did he keep his promise, bearing the burden which would have been too heavy for the father's shoulders and becoming to him a staff in his declining years. The parental family comprised ten children, four of whom are now living. David, who is now seventy-six years of age, lives in Michigan; Mrs. Rachel Gates is residing in Minnesota, at the age of seventy-four years; Julia, born June 23, 1822, and unmarried, keeps house for our subject, whose home comfort she looks after with tender solicitude. Daniel Ferriss was born January 20, 1819, in Washington County, N. Y., and even in childhood learned lessons of hard labor. When not yet ten years old he drove a three-horse team all summer. While the family lived in St. Lawrence County he worked in the brass furnaces and forge. His school advantages were very meagre but his native intelligence and the knowledge which can be gleaned through reading and observation, have taken the place of the education which was denied him. After the family removed to the Prairie State our subject worked on the farm, assisting his father to pay an indebtedness of $30, which hung over their heads when they reached here, and afterward improving their own estate, in the payment of which he bore a part. The land which they purchased was nearly devoid of improvements and to the energy and perseverance of our subject its present condition is due. His labors are particularly commendable as he has for many a year labored single-handed in a literal sense. While running a threshing machine, October 24, 1848, his left arm was drawn into the cylinder and torn off at the elbow. He suffered amputation without the use of anaesthetics or allowing anyone to hold him, exhibiting fortitude extremely rare. The one hundred and forty-seven acres on section 27, which comprise the estate of Mr. Ferriss, are adorned by a good stone residence, a full line of substantial outbuildings and various fruit and shade trees. Neatness and order prevail everywhere and it is hard to believe that such a variety of work can be thoroughly accomplished with the use of but one arm, and that even chopping, cradling of grain, and similar work bas been done by Mr. Ferriss since he suffered the loss of his limb. Mr. Ferriss and his sister are honest, God-fearing people, whose lives are spent in consistent endeavor to carry out the Golden Rule and honor the name which they bear. They have never been members of any church, although they lean toward the Universalist denomination, but give their countenance and support to the good work of various congregations. Mr. Ferriss served as Constable of the township for six years. Otherwise he has constantly refused to hold office. He is a friend to Masonry, his father having been a member of the fraternity. He has always taken a lively interest in the political issues of the day and since the organization of the Republican party, has been a firm supporter of it. Prior to that time he had been a Democrat. His father was of the Universalist faith and this no doubt is one reason why our subject and his sister favor that church. They are entitled to the respect of those about them and receive their due measure. On another page of the Album is presented a lithographic portrait of the late Thomas Ferriss. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/ferriss518gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb