My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH R. FERRY, a man of native ability and energy, and a prominent general agriculturist of Berrien County, Mich., has been a resident of Pipestone Township his entire life, and since his birth, June 6, 1852, has been intimately associated with the progress and history of this part of the State. His present home upon section 27 is within easy distance of his birthplace, the old Ferry homestead, one of the landmarks of pioneer days. Our subject is a son of Robert Ferry, deceased, a man of indomitable will, persevering industry and high business ability, who met the trials of life and overcame difficulties with earnest, purpose and attained to financial success. The father, entirely self-educated and in every sense of the word a self-made man, was a leading factor in the upbuilding and rapid advancement of the township of Pipestone, which he helped to organize and develop. Born upon the old farm, Joseph R. Ferry was trained to careful habits of thrift and intelligent industry, and throughout his childhood attended the Ferry schoolhouse, and there laid the broad foundation of an education he afterward completed by a course of study (commercial) in the college at Notre Dame, Ind.

After two years well spent in that celebrated institution, Mr. Ferry returned home and at once engaged in the daily routine of farming duties. In 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Esther O. Jenkins, a daughter of Calvin Jenkins, an old and highly respected resident of Berrien County, Berrien Township. Mrs. Ferry was born in 1863, in Berrien Springs. Our subject and his accomplished wife located upon the farm where they now live in 1880. One hundred and ten acres of the one hundred and fifty were then under cultivation, and since the entire acreage, now brought into a high state of productiveness, annually yields a bounteous harvest. In 1888
Mr. Ferry built his fine residence, at a cost of $2,300. The other improvements of the farm correspond in value, the barns being substantial and commodious. The original acreage has been increased to two hundred and ten, and the homestead, with its well-tilled fields and handsome grounds, is one of the most attractive in Pipestone Township.

Mrs. Esther Ferry, now deceased, was the mother of two children, who survive her death: India J., eleven years of age, and Mary E., ten years old. Our subject, again entering wedlock, married November 30, 1889, Mrs. Fredenca S. (Lovell) Wood, a daughter of Nathan V. and Delia S. (Keeler) Lovell, both natives of New York. The parents of Mrs. Ferry came to Michigan in a very early day, and settled in Silver Creek Township with their respective families, and were later married in Portage, Wis., and then located in Columbia County, of the Badger State, but returned to Michigan in 1870, and lived in Van Buren, Cass County, and in Berrien County,
Mr. Lovell now being engaged in business in Eau Claire, running a sawmill. Of their three children, two survive: Mrs. Ferry and General U. S. G. Mrs. Ferry, who was born May 7, 1867, in Columbia County, Wis., was educated in various schools, and is a lady of ability and worth. She was early married to Mr. Wood, and bore him one child, J. F. H. Wood. No children have been born unto this second union.

Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a member and was Junior Deacon of the lodge at Berrien Springs. He was elected Junior Warden, and also affiliates with the chapter at Dowagiac. He is likewise connected with the Royal Arcanum, and is a member of the lodge at Boston Harbor. Politically, he is a Democrat, but, while a public-spirited citizen, has never aspired to office. Our subject is, however, a strong friend to educational advancement, and has given faithful and efficient service as School Inspector, and as Director of the School District for six years did much to improve and stimulate to higher excellence the methods of instruction and grades of scholarship. The acquaintance of Mr. Ferry extends over a large part of his native State, but especially is he known and esteemed by a large circle of friends throughout Berrien County, where he is appreciated as a substantial citizen, ever ready to assist in all matters pertaining to local growth and enterprise.