My Genealogy Hound

EMERY F. FERRY, a leading agriculturist, cultivating a fine farm located upon section 15, Weesaw Township, Berrien County, Mich., is pleasantly located four miles north and one mile west of Galien, and is widely known as a public-spirited and patriotic citizen, who, bravely serving the Government in its hour of need, contracted a disease, which resulted in the total loss of sight. Born in Tioga County, Pa., May 22, 1833, our subject has, with the exception of his absence during the Civil War, constantly resided in his present locality since 1858. The father and mother, Charles and Phoebe (Slate) Ferry, were well known in the Quaker State, where they made their home for many years. Charles Ferry was born in Vermont in 1807, and was a son of Ebenezer Ferry, also a native of the Green Mountain State, but of direct English descent. Grandfather Ferry fought with courage in the War of 1812, and was a man of energy and sterling character. Marrying in Vermont, he later in life removed to Pennsylvania, and the father of our subject was a lad of twelve years when, with the paternal grandfather and grandmother, he settled in Tioga County. The veteran of the War of 1812 passed away in the Quaker State, mourned by many friends and relatives.

The father attained to adult age and was married in Pennsylvania, and with his wife and family emigrated to Berrien County, Mich., in 1858. He survived many years, and died at the home of our subject in 1891. He was a man of strong character and convictions, and was in religious belief a Universalist. The mother preceded her husband to the better land in 1870. She was born in Cortland County, N. Y., and passed away in Berrien County. She was a devout Christian woman and a member of the Wesleyan Church. Her father, the maternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Slate, was a native of the Empire State and served bravely as a soldier in the War of 1812. The maternal grandmother, Prudence (Fitzgerald) Slate, was of Irish descent. The paternal grandmother, Sarah (Taylor) Ferry, a woman of bright intelligence, survived to sixty-five years of age. Mrs. Phoebe (Slate) Ferry was blessed by the birth of three sons and three daughters, of whom five are now living. Our subject, the eldest-born, remained in his Pennsylvania home until twenty-three years old. He received his education in the common schools of the district and attained to manhood an energetic and self-reliant youth. In 1855 he was united in marriage in his native State with Miss Samantha Longwell, a native of Pennsylvania, who survived her marriage only about three years, passing away in 1858.

In 1859, Emery F. Ferry a second time entered into marriage relations, wedding Miss Clara Jackson, who died in 1861. In 1864 our subject married Miss Martha Hazen, who died in 1870. In 1871 he married his present wife, Mrs. Alma (Thaxton) Ferry, who is the mother of ten children: John; Ella, wife of William Flowers; Alfred, Maude, Charles H., George, Nora, Mina, Peter and Olive. August 23, 1863, Mr. Ferry enlisted in the Union army, joining Company K, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, serving gallantly until his discharge, December 10, 1864. Our subject actively participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and Knoxville, and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. He was later attacked violently with measles, which settled in his eyes, and he is now totally blind, having, in fact, been so ever since the war. After his arrival in Berrien County, Mr. Ferry bought forty acres of timber-land, and now has in his homestead one hundred acres, also owning an eighty-acre tract elsewhere. An important factor in the progressive interests of his locality, our subject is a member of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Fraternally, he is a member of Custer Post No. 208, G. A. R., at Galien, and takes great pleasure in the reunions and reminiscences of his former comrades upon the field of war. In his political views, he is a stalwart Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Fremont. Mr. Ferry is a liberal-spirited citizen, a friend to educational advancement, and without being especially active in local politics takes a great interest in all the vital questions of the day. His home is the abode of hospitality, and he numbers among his large acquaintance a host of sincere friends and well-wishers.