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			HENRY C. and LOUISA M. (BLODGETT) FERRIS

	John Ferris was born in the State of New York, Dec. 11, 1810.  From New York he moved to 
Newberry, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he bought a piece of wild land, which he cleared up, and on 
which he died May 1, 1846.  On this farm his son, Henry C., was born, June 26, 1836.  The death 
of his father left him to shift for himself, and for three years he lived with an aunt.  Then 
until his marriage he worked at whatever he could get to do.  In 1853, with the idea of locating 
in a new country and growing up with it, he came to Michigan, and in the town of Ferris, Montcalm 
Co., worked one year for his uncle Elijah Ferris, who was the first settler in the township.  He 
worked out by day and month until 1856, when, with the little means left him from his father's 
estate, he bought the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24, in Ferris 
township.  On the 16th day of March, 1857, he was married to Louisa M. Blodgett, who was born
April 24, 1839, daughter of Luther and Lucy (Ford) Blodgett.  There have been born to them Lucy 
L., September 30th, died July 17, 1871; Emma L., March 1, 1861; and Carrie M., June 24, 1866.  
The next fall after his marriage Mr. Ferris brought his wife to Ferris, and (in the shanty built
by his uncle when he first came) commenced housekeeping.  Here they lived until the next fall, 
by which time he had made a start on his land and had built a log house.  It had a floor of 
split logs, and was the result of his own handiwork.  Out of the little shanty, which was many 
times used by new-comers, they moved into their new home, in which they passed many happy hours.
They were poor in purse, but rich in health and strength and determination.  After getting into 
his house Mr. Ferris had but five dollars left.  He at once cleared and put in a couple of acres 
of wheat, but it was a failure, and to keep the wolf from the door he worked in the woods, and in
this way got a start.  The most of the first winter's work was lost, and this made the times very
hard;  but splitting rails at fifty cents per day bought flour at six dollars per hundred, and 
prevented hunger.  Their milling in those days was done at Matherton, and the trip, made with
oxen, required three days' hard work, and then three days' work for the use of the team.  By 
dint of hard work, coupled with good management, Mr. Ferris has now one hundred and ten acres of 
fine land, with a good house and outbuildings.  Of the farm, sixty-two acres are under good 
improvement, while he ranks as one of Ferris' best farmers.
	In politics a Republican of the radical type, he has many times held township offices.  
In 1863 was treasurer of four towns in one, also justice of the peace, and many years highway
commissioner and school officer, having been the first assessor of his school district.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Pages 463-464.  Ferris Township.