CRAIG COUNTY, VA - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - Charles P. Ferrel ----¤¤¤---- From "History of Virginia" About: Charles P Ferrel CHARLES P. FERREL. Perhaps one of the earliest families to be established in Craig County, Virginia, that has continued here to the present day, bore the now familiar name of Ferrel. It came from Ireland in the person of a strong, vigorous young man who had dared the perils of the ocean in order to secure the home and opportunity in the unknown wilderness that conditions prevented his acquiring in his native Erin. Generations have passed since then, and his descendants still belong to Craig County, Virginia, of which he became a man of wealth and agricultural importance. In the main, the Ferrels have been farmers, but other vocations have also claimed them, and one of the best known members of this old family today may be found in Charles P. Ferrel, county clerk of Craig County, with offices at New Castle. Mr. Ferrel was born on the old family homestead near Craig Healing Springs, twelve miles west of New Castle, in Craig County, Virginia, August 29, 1881, the eldest in a family of seven children born to Lloyd P. and Mary A. (Ruble) Ferrel. His grandfather, John A. Ferrel, was born on the farm of his father, Jackson Ferrel, in Craig County, and both were extensive landowners and planters. John A. Ferrel, together with three older brothers, was a soldier in the Confederate army all through the war between the states. William S. and John A. enlisted in the Twentysecond Virginia Regiment, and Alpha J. and E. Madison in the Fortysixth Virginia Regiment, with Guy D. Huffman of Craig County as their captain. John A. Ferrel was taken prisoner by the Federal forces, and for some months was confined at Point Lookout, and later at Elmira, New York. He survived for many years after the war, and at the time of death, on September 15, 1902, was living near Craig Healing Springs. His wife, Susanna Caldwell, was also a member of one of Craig County's important old families. Susanna Caldwell's mother and John A. Ferrel's mother were Smiths and sisters, of Dutch lineage. The Caldwell family came from England, and took their name from "Coldwell." Lloyd P. Ferrel, who has spent his entire life in Craig County, was born May 28, 1854, and still resides on his valuable farm near Craig Healing Springs. He has always been more or less active in democratic politics in the county, but has never accepted public office. He is one of the leading supporters of the Christian Church in his neighborhood, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He has been twice married, first to Mary A. Ruble, who was born in Craig County in 1856, and died on the home farm in September, 1903. They had seven children: Charles P., who is county clerk of Craig County; Mallie J., who is the wife of Ira B. Caldwell, a farmer in Craig County; Florence, who resides at home; Virgie, who is the wife of Evers Lowe, a farmer in Roane County, West Virginia; Lottie, who is the wife of Howard Carper, express agent for the C & O. Railroad Company at New Castle, Virginia; Albert M., who assists his father on the home farm, and Clarence C., whose death occurred on the home farm on January 7, 1923. Albert M. Ferrel, of the above family, is an oversea veteran of the World war. In 1917 he volunteered for military service as a private in Company H, Sixteenth United States Infantry, Twentyninth Division. He spent eleven months in France, participated in the offensive at Chateau Thierry and at other points of danger and once was wounded in the left knee. He served faithfully and courageously, and when honorably discharged it was as a private of the first class. The second marriage of Lloyd P. Ferrel was with Miss Lillian Givens, who was born in Craig County, Virginia, and they have one son, Leroy Wilson. Charles P. Ferrel was educated in the public schools of Craig County, and remained at home and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm up to the time he entered the county clerk's office on November 24, 1919, where his efficiency was quickly recognized and on May 25, 1920, he was appointed county clerk to fill out the vacancy caused by the death of former County Clerk A. W. Webb. His long experience in the county clerk's office made the assumption of new responsibilities comparatively easy, and Mr. Ferrel's present term will not expire until December 31, 1927. As a public official he is very popular and as a business man, citizen and neighbor is held in universal esteem. Mr. Ferrel is unmarried. He is a member of the New Castle Christian Church, in which he is a deacon and for some years has been church treasurer. In political life, like his father and grandfather, he has always been a democrat. During the entire period of the World war he gave his time and means to further every patriotic movement and was personally active in the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives. Mr. Ferrel is a member of Mountain Lodge No. 1??, Free and Accepted Masons, Craig County, of which lodge he is a past master and served three terms as worshipful master. He is a member also of Door to Virtue Lodge No. 163, Free and Accepted Masons, at New Castle, and belongs also to Craig Lodge No. 1??, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at New Castle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vincent E. Summers vsummers@NRAO.EDU -------------------------------------------------------------------------------