USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past > Part 88
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HIRAM G. FERRIS.
Hiram G. Ferris, coming to Hancock county when it contained a population of less than two hundred, engaged actively upon the work of upbuilding and prog- ress and left the impress of his individual- ity upon many historic events and upon the material development of this portion of the state. He figured for a long period as one of the leading attorneys and later as a prominent banker of Carthage, and he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present development. progress and prosperity of the city. His birth occurred near Howard. Steuben county, New York, May 13, 1822, his parents being Stephen G. and Emma (Beebe) Ferris. The first authentic in- formation obtainable concerning the Fer- ris family in America shows that they were residents of Connecticut, living, however, not far from New York city. during an early period in the settlement of that part of the country. Representa- tives of the name participated in the Colonial wars and the war for inde- pendence.
Stephen Gano Ferris, grandfather of our subject, was born in Hillsdale, Cohim- bia county, New York, in August, 1788. and was there reared. He afterward be- came a resident of North Norwich. Chenango county, New York, when it was
tanner's and furrier's trade, which he fol- lowed until his father's removal to Yates county, New York, about 1810 or 1812. In the latter county Stephen G. Ferris devoted his time and energies to farm- ing. On the 11th of August, 1814, the twenty-third anniversary of his birth, he was married to Miss Emma Beebe, a na- tive of Chenango county, New York. He retained his residence in Yates coun- ty until 1820, when he removed to How- ard. New York, where he resided until 1832. when, through the persuasion of his brother-in-law, Jabez A. Beebe, he made his way to Illinois. Mr. Beebe had come to this state and taken up his abode where Fountain Green now stands. Stephen G. Ferris purchased land in this state and with his family, consisting of. wife and six children, started westward by way of the river route. proceeding down the Allegheny river to Pittsburg on a flatboat, it requiring nine weeks to make that trip. He then took passage on the steamer Niagara bound for St. Louis, where he arrived about the Ist of Decem- ber. The lateness of the year made it almost impossible for him to get a flat- boat to convey himself and family north- ward but they eventually reached Trad- ers' Point. now Keokuk. Iowa, where they arrived about the toth or uith of December. The place at that time con- sisted of only three or four log cabins at the base of the hill. These were occu- pied by three or four traders and their families and there were about one hun- dred Indians camped in the neighborhood. There were no houses at Hamilton, and Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, contained
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but one dwelling-the home of Abraham Smith. It cost Mr. Ferris sixteen dollars to have himself and family ferried across the river on the 13th of December. 1832. Accompanied by his son. John M. Ferris. he afterward walked to Horseback Grove. now Fountain Green, a distance of Iwen- ty-two miles. There he employed a man to go for his family and goods, the jour- ney being made with a one-horse wagon and ox team, Fountain Green being reached on the 15th of December, 1832.
The brother-in-law. Mr. Beebe, and his family having arrived the year before had a comfortable double log house, which he shared with Mr. Ferris until spring. The latter then purchased one hundred and ten acres of land of Mr. Beebe, on which he erected a good, substantial pioneer residence. In 1833 he began opening up his farm and also built a small tannery but the latter enterprise was not a success on account of the lack of bark. He also built a sawmill but that did not prove a profitable venture and in 1836 he sold his farm.
On the 14th of September, 1860, hi- wife died at Fountain Green, and he after. ward came to Carthage, where he made his home with his son. Hiram G. Ferris. residing there almost continuously until his death, which occurred, however, or the evening of November 20, 1876, while on a visit to his son. Dr. L. T. Ferris, al Fountain Green. He was then over eighty-eight years of age, and his grave was made by the side of his wife in Form- tain Green cemetery. He was one of the early Baptists of the county and did much for that denomination, while in other ways he contributed to the substantial im
provement and moral advancement of hi- community.
Hiram (. Ferris, whose name intro- duces this record, was a lad of about ten years when he came to this county. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes and environment of pioneer life. and shared with the family in the task of reclaiming a tract of wild land for the purposes of civilization. His early education was ac- (mired in the public schools and he after- ward entered Knox College, at Galesburg. where he completed the work of the junior year. Afterward in company with David 1). Holton he made an overland trip to California in 1850, driving a team of horses. He first engaged in placer min- ing in northern California, following that pursuit for a year or two, after which he was appointed one of the commissioners who organized Siskiyou county. Later he was elected and served for two years as county clerk, which office then also em- braced the duties of county register. At the same time General Colton was sheriff of the county, which at that time harbored many rough characters attracted by the opportunities of lawlessness upon the frontier. About that time a mob tried to rescue a member of their gang from jail but General Colton and Mr. Ferris kept them back with drawn revolvers.
After a number of years spent on the coast Hiram (. Ferris, in 1850, returned to Hancock county. Having previously read and studied law he made application to the supreme court of Illinois and was admitted to the bar. Not long afterward he formed a partnership with Wilham t Hooker, George Edmunds, Jr . under the firm name of Hooker, Ferris & Edmunds.
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which relation was continued until 1873- when the partnership was dissolved. The firm of Ferris & Hooker then practiced until 1864, when Mr. Ferris became as- sociated with Francis M. Corby and or- ganized a banking institution under the firm name of Ferris & Corby. They were also interested in large real estate transac- tions, operating extensively in land and improved property. The bank was con- tinued as a private institution until it was incorporated under the name of the Han- cock County National Bank, on the 18th of May. 1865. At that time the firm of Ferris & Corby passed out of existence and the bank took its place with the fol- lowing directors, who also had signed the application : Francis M. Corby, Hiram G. Ferris, Bryant T. Scofield, Andrew J. Griffith and Edward Cherrill. The board elected the following officers: H. G. Fer- ris, president: F. M. Corby, vice presi- dlent : and Edward Cherrill. cashier. On the 16th of January, 1863. Mr. Corby re- tired and Dr. Griffith was elected vice president. retaining the office until his death in 1884. after which he was snc- ceeded by David Mack. Mr. Ferris con- tinned as president until his demise on the 20th of August. 1803. The first state- ment issued by the Hancock County Na- tional Bank in 1865 showed a business of about one hundred and seventy-five thon- sand dollars, and the last statement issued by this institution showed half a million. Its growth therefore has been steady and healthy and it is safe to say that in its forty years existence it has handled be- tween twelve and fifteen million dollars of the people's money and not a cent has been lost by a depositor and not a mo-
ment has the bank closed its doors on ac- count of financial stringencies which in that period temporarily embarrassed many very good banking institutions. The bank was first incorporated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, which was afterward increased to seventy-five thou- sand dollars. Later, however, it was re- duced again to fifty thousand dollars but recently has once more been raised to sev- enty-five thousand dollars. It is now the oldest banking institution in the county and was the first national bank in Carthage.
Mr. Ferris continned as president up to the time of his death and was also the owner of extensive real estate interests. The bank built a fine two-story brick structure on the corner of Main and Madi- son streets and occupy the ground floor. This was in 1871, and individually Mr. Ferris also had extensive realty holdings.
In his political views a stalwart demo- crat, Mr. Ferris was for a number of terms a member of the board of super- visors and for many years served on the school board. taking a great interest in the cause of public education in Carthage. Ile was also president of the town council and his aid and co-operation could be counted upon to further every progressive measure for the good of the community. He was always a stalwart advocate of the temperance cause and strongly opposed licensed saloons in Carthage. In fact he stood for all that promotes honorable. 11p- right manhood. He was made a Mason in 1850 and later became a member of Hancock lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, serving as master for a number of terms. He was likewise a
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member of the chapter and council and ber of years and while his attention was Almoner commandery. Knight Templar. at Augusta. While in California he served as senior grand deacon of the grand lodge of the state for one year.
On the 20th of August, 1857. Mr. Fer- tis was married to Miss Julia E. Holton. at Hill's Grove, Mcdonough county, a daughter of Isaac and Phoebe ( Arnold) Holton. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom are yet living. namely : Junins C., now president of the Hancock County National Bank: Esther Mande, the wife of Frank H. Graves, one of the leading attorneys of Spokane. Washington ; Stephen H., cashier of the Hancock County National Bank : Julia. the wife of L. P. Hobbs, of Oregon ; Ellen, the wife of Ralph E. Scofield, an attorney-at-law, at Kansas City. Mis- souri; Phoebe, the wife of George W. Worcester, of Grand Forks. British Columbia ; Hiram B., of Spokane, Wash- ington: Joel E., of St. Louis, Missouri : and Harokl G .. of Chicago.
Mr. Ferris has left worthy successors in his sons, who are prominent business men of various localities. He was a typical citizen of pioneer times and kept in touch with the general progress as man- ifest in business development and in pub- lic thought and action. He was particu- larly active in the support of Carthage College, was for several years a member of its board of trustees, acted as treas- urer for a time and was one of its stanch supporters, taking a most helpful interest in its welfare. No movement for the benefit of the city or county sought his aid in vain. He was also the president of the Masonic fraternal order for a mim
mainly given to his business interests. which became extensive and important. making him one of the prosperous resi- dents of the community, be allowed the accumulation to in no wise affect his re- lations with those less fortunate and re- garded his prosperity merely as a means to and end, delighting in the opportunities which it gave him for providing for his family and for assisting in matters of pub- lie moment. His name has thus become inseparably interwoven with the history of Carthage and Hancock county, where for more than sixty years he made his home, passing away Angust 20. 1893. His widow still occupies the okl home- stead, which he had greatly beautified as the years went by. It was one of the early fine homes of the city and is located at the southeast corner of Madison and Locust streets.
JUNIUS C. FERRIS.
Junius C. Ferris, president of the Han- cock County National Bank, and the ehl- est son of the late Hiram (. Ferris, pin- Beer, attorney and banker, whose enter- prise was a dominant factor in the early development of the city, was born in Car- thage. June 24. 1858. The public schools afforded him his preliminary educational advantages and he was graduated from Carthage College in 1878 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts He afterward pur- sued a course in the School of Mines of
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the Columbia College, of New York city, and was graduated as mining engineer in :883. Returning to his home, he became associated with his father in the conduct of the Hancock County National Bank, and in 1887 was elected assistant cashier, while in 1894 he was chosen vice presi- dent and in 1898 was elected president of the institution. Prior to this time he had been a member of the board of directors and with his brother has had the active management of the bank since 1894. This is now one of the larger and more conservative financial institu- tions of the county and Mr. Ferris has clevoted his time almost exclusively to its conduct. The charter of the bank was extended February 13, 1906, and the cap- ital stock was raised to seventy-five thousand dollars. with the following of- ficers in charge: Junius C. Ferris, pres- ident : Charles S. Dehart, vice president : and S. H. Ferris, cashier. These three gentlemen are also on the board of di- rectors, together with David E. Mack and A. W. O'Harra. The deposits now amount to three million, five hundred thousand dollars. They do a strictly commercial business and also have a sav- ings department in connection. The bank has had an unusually successful existence. It has stood firm in times of financial storm and a safe conservative policy was instituted at its foundation by H. G. Fer- ris and his partner. Mr. Corby. The same straightforward policy has ever been maintained and the business has been con- ducted along practical lines broadening the sphere of usefulness as the business has increased and modern conditions have demanded. Mr. Ferris of this review
was one of the incorporators of the Elec- tric Light Company, which was estab- lished in 1888. He became one of its first directors and has been treasurer since its organization. This has been one of the successful public utility concerns.
On the 27th of June. 1899. Mr. Ferris was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Blaine, of Monmouth, Illinois, and they have one child, Mary B. The family at- tend and support the Presbyterian church. of which Mrs. Ferris is a member. Mr. Ferris belongs to Hancock lodge, No. 20. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master and he belongs to Carthage chapter, No. 13, Royal Arch Masons, and formerly to Carthage coun- cil, No. 47, Royal and Select Masons, which, however, has surrendered its char- ter. He was at one time a member of Al- moner commandery, Knights Templar, at Augusta, but has demitted. He votes with the democracy and was at one time a member of the city council but the hon- ors of office have little attraction for him. However, he is a most public-spirited citi- zen, and the name of Ferris has been a potent one in connection with municipal improvement and development.
TION. M. P. BERRY.
Hon. M. P. Berry is a reognized leader in all public affairs in Carthage and has been specially strong in his advocacy of those interests which are matters of civic
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pride. He is well known as a lawyer. having for many years been a practitioner at the bar, while at this writing he is cashier of the Dime Savings Bank. Born in MeDonough county, Ilinois, May 25. 1853. he is a son of Lee and Martha ( Mc- Connell) Berry and a brother of Senator O. F. Berry, now representing this dis- trict in the upper house of the general as- sembly. His literary education was com- pleted in Carthage College after leaving the public schools and for four years he engaged in teaching in Hancock county at Webster and Burnside. Following his preparation for the bar he practiced law with his brother. O. F. Berry, their pro- fessional interests being continuously in common until the retirement of M. P. Berry from the bar. The court records show the standing of the firm. In no pro- fession is there a career more open to tal- ent than in that of the law and in no field of.endeavor is there demanded a more areful preparation, more thorough ap- preciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Possessing the requisite qual- ities of the able lawyer. Mr. Berry stead- ily advanced until, leaving the ranks of the many, he stood among the successful few as a practitioner. Associated with his brother, he established the Dime Sav- ings Bank of Carthage and has since been active in its management as the cashier. while his brother is serving as president.
In 1874, was celebrated the marriage of 31. P. Berry and Miss Harriet Camp- bell, a native of MeDonough county. Illi- mois, and a daughter of W. S. Campbell. D. D., who was a Cumberland Presby-
terian minister, spending many years in MeDonough county, where his death ve- curred. His wife bore the maiden name of Virginia Kirkpatrick. Mr. and Mrs. Berry had one daughter, Leota R., who was born in Hancock county and later passed away. Mrs. Berry passed away in November, 1902, and mother and daughter were laid to rest in Moss Ridge cemetery. She possessed innate culture and refinement, which made her alway's thoughtful and considerate of others and she was avery active and helpful member in the church, holding all of the different offices in various societies with which she was connected. She was also deeply interested in the public library and was president of the Library Club at the time of her demise. Her influence was ever an elevating force, never aggressively exerted but always quietly and modestly put forth. Her many good deeds and commendable characteristics won her the love and esteem of all with whom she was brought in contact. In November, 1904. Mr. Berry wedded Miss Lillian Black- more, who was born in Hamilton, Illinois. the only daughter of Mark and Free- ericka Blackmore, both of whom are now deceased.
In politics Mr. Berry is a stalwart re- publican, who has made a close and dis- criminating study of the questions and issues of the day. He has several times been mayor of the city and for fifteen years has served on the school board. act ing as a part of that time as its president. He was also a member of the Library Club for several years and it will thus be seen that his co-operation has been all active factor in many of the movements
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW'
which are of direct benefit to the city. He is a prominent Odd Fellow and has served as grandmaster of his lodge. He and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he has filled all of the church offices and has frequently addressed audiences from the pulpit in the absence of a pastor. He is chairman of the devotional committee and has labored zealously and untiringly for the growth and the extension of its influence. His wife is a teacher in the Sunday-school and shares with him in all of his labors for the church and for benevolent and charitable interests. She is eligible to membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a member of P. E. O., in which she has been vice presi- dent and president. In 1905, Mr. Berry built an elegant residence at No. 405 Cherry street at the corner of Marian street and he also owns much other valu- able property in Carthage. Theirs is one of the beautiful homes of the city in its exterior adornments and interior furnish- ings, displaying an artistic taste that argues well for the culture of its posses- sors. Its hospitality, too, is one of its most attractive features and is cordially extended to their many friends. The consensus of public opinion is unanimous regarding Mr. Berry's worth as a citizen and business man. All acknowledge the indebtedness of the public to him for his co-operation in measures for the general good. his labors at all times being of a practical nature and at the same time of a character that makes steady advance to- ward high ideals in civic virtue. in the adornment of the city and in intellectual progress. He is justly accorded promi-
nence yet wears his honors with becoming modesty. Few residents of Carthage have done as much for mankind as has Mr. Berry but it would never be known were it left for him to tell.
PROF. CYRUS B. NEWCOMER
While the disposition to do honor to those who have served well their race or their nation is prevalent among all en- lightened people and is of great value everywhere and under all forms of gov- ernment. it is particularly appropriate to and to be fostered in this country, where no man is born to public office or to public honor. or comes to either by inheritance, but where all men are equal before the law, where the race for distinction is over the road of public usefulness and is open to every one who chooses to enter and where the advantageous circumstances of family or wealth count in the vast ma- jority of cases for but little or naught. Under our system, whose very existence depends upon the virtue of the people themselves, those who have distinguished themselves in public service, whether in citizenship or in arms or in the path of civil usefulness, should not fail of recog- nition, and in this regard Professor New- comer deseryes mention, his life in its professional connections being of great value to his fellowmen. He is now prin- cipal of the normal department of Car- thage College and since 1902 has been
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
professor of ancient languages in that in- stitution.
A native son of Illinois, Professor Newcomer was born in Mount Morris. Ogle county. October 28. 1866, a son of Cyrus Barr and Elizabeth ( Hause ) New- comer. The father was born September 2. 1829, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. and the mother's birth occurred in Chews- ville. Washington county. Maryland. in February, 1835. He was a cooper by trade and for thirteen years he taught school, most of the time in Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1861, however, he came to Illinois, settling in Ogle county, where he engaged to some extent in teaching. Much of his life, however. in this state was devoted to farming and he remained a resident of Ogle county imtil his death. In politics he was earnest in his advocacy of republican principles but never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He lived a consistent Christian life and in early days was connected with the River Brethren, but afterward became a mem- ber of the Church of God. He died in L'pper Alton, in 1896, his remains being interred in Mount Morris. His widow still survives him and now resides with her children, spending much of her time. however, in Upper Alton. There were eight children in the family: Daniel Hause, a farmer residing near Mount Morris: Samuel Martin, who resides at Polo, in Ogle county; William Tell, de ceased: Barbara Ellen, the wife of Lewis Leak, of Polo: Cyrus B. : William Tell. the second of the family, also deceased ; John David, of Mount Morris, Illinois; and Mary Almeda, the wife of Alvin Finney, of Forest, Illinois.
Professor Newcomer began his edu cation in Coon Creek schoolhouse in his home district in Ogle county and after ward spent one year as a student in the public schools of Mount Morris, contin- uing his education in Mount Morris Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1885. He then entered Carthage Col- lege and was graduated with the class of 1880. while later he matriculated in the State University of Michigan at Ann .Ar- bor, from which he won his Master's de- gree in 1895. He pursued two post- graduate courses of study in the Chicago University in 1899. During the interval between the attendance at Mount Morris College and Carthage College he taught school for a year, being a part of the time in the West Branch school and the re- mainder of the time in the Coon Creek school in Ogle county. After his gradu- ation from Carthage College he went to Peabody, Kansas, where he was located for three years as principal of the high school, and in the fall of 1842 he entered the Michigan University. Early in the year 1895 he became principal of the high school of Belleville. Kansas, and it was in the same year that he received his Master's degree at Ann Arbor. In the fall of that year he was elected to a pro- lessorship in Carthage College and also made principal of the normal department in this institution, which is under the aus pices of a general synod of the Lutheran church. In to02 he was elected asso ciate professor of ancient languages an l still fills that position and in the summer months he frequently teaches privately He is recognized as one of the strong il able educators of this part of the state
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and during the eleven years of his con- nection with Carthage College has done much to advance its standard of pro- ficiency and scholarship. Professor New- comer finds an interesting and pleasant occupation in raising ginseng, called the gold miner from the fact that the root is somewhat the shape of a man. It is re- garded as a panacea for many ills by the Chinese and when properly raised sells for ten or twelve dollars per pound and in China brings its weight in gold. Pro- fessor Newcomer has made a study of the plant for three years and is now devoting an entire lot to the raising of ginseng. He has purchased seed and hopes to have his first crop for sale in 1906. This plant requires shade like a forest and is very difficult to produce.
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