History of Hamilton County Ohio
Portrait, with biography, of S. M. Ferris
facing pages 348 & 349
transcribed by Linda Boorom


Samuel M. Ferris

SAMUEL M. FERRIS.

Samuel Marsh FERRIS, of Linwood, was born October 12, 1817, in the old FERRIS homestead at Mt. Lookout (now Cincinnati), where his mother, now in her eighty-fourth year, still resides.

Isaac FERRIS, the great-grandfather, came to Columbia from Connecticut in the year 1789. During the Revolutionary struggle both he and his son Ebenezer were engaged as soldiers under WASHINGTON in the battle of White Plains. After coming to Ohio he became one of the constituted members of the first Baptist church organized in Columbia. He was a faithful member until his death which occurred in 1819, and it may be said of his numerous descendants that they are, so far as known, strict adherents of the Baptist church. Mr. FERRIS had five sons - Ebenezer, Isaac, John, Abram and Ezra; the last-named was a practicing physician in Lawrenceburgh, Indiana. John lived in the old homestead. He was a captain first, afterwards a colonel. Abram kept a tanyard in Cincinnati. Ebenezer, the grandfather of S. M. FERRIS, moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he lived and died. He had three children, two girls and one boy - Isaac FERRIS, father of the subject of this sketch.

Isaac FERRIS was born in Lexington, Kentucky, April 12, 1795, and when only four years of age came to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he resided up to the time of his death. He came to Ohio to live with his grandfather, and learned the shoemaker's trade with his uncle Abram. Not liking this business he soon afterwards learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed successfully fifteen years. Out of this business grew the hame business, which he conducted until his death, and which has since been conducted by his sons.

In the year 1816 he married Phoebe MARSH, who had come to Ohio from New Jersey in 1805. From this union there came nine children, five of whom are now living, S. M. FERRIS being the eldest. At the early age of sixteen Isaac FERRIS became the subject of Divine grace, and soon after united with the Duck Creek church, then almost in its infancy. He was baptized by Elder William JONES. Though an apprentice and residing six miles from the church, such was his love for the communion of the saints, and his delight in the public worship of God, that his place in the sanctuary was seldom vacant.

In the year 1825, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, then having been a growing member for thirteen years, he was licensed to preach; and after his aptness to preach and his ability for usefulness was determined by a test of experience, he was ordained to the work of a minister. For ten years he preached to the church in which he was a member. He was afterwards thirteen years pastor of the East Fork church. This was the field in which his labors were most signally blessed, a strong church growing up under his care and an organization effected which was a great power for good in that community. Here eighty converts were baptized by him in a continuous revival of eighteen months. He also led the flocks at Newton, Cloughs, Hammer's Run, and elsewhere, and, as was necessary in those days to meet appointments, many hardships were endured. He still labored all those years at his trade, blacksmithing, and farming, and kept up his religious work in the cause he loved so well. He was accustomed to manual labor and was an active, energetic man, and in consideration of the arduous work performed was truly a great man at that time. He died, loved and respected, December 22, 1860. Those who knew him credit him with having a meek, humble disposition, and an unassuming manner. His mind was meek, reasoning and understanding, deep; while his arguments and exhortations were very effective, and upon great occasions, when aroused into action. the power of the man was most fully felt.

The early life of Samuel M. FERRIS, the subject of this sketch. was spent on a farm and in the shop with his father. the latter association predominating and forming his life pursuits in business. In the year 1838 he married Miss Mary Z. FERRIS, daughter of J. J. FERRIS. She was born April 27, 1818; her father was a cousin and brother-in-law of Andrew, Joseph, and Eliphalet FERRIS, who came to Ohio from the east in 1811, and who became prominent men. The two families of FERRIS were not related, but the ancestry of all are traceable to the days of William I, the conquerer of England.

S. M. FERRIS and his people are characteristically blue-eyed, fair skinned, and light-complexioned; while those of his wife's people are dark-complexioned, with dark eyes and dark hair. For two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. FERRIS lived in Mt. Lookout and then moved to Linwood, in 1841, where for forty years they have resided. In 1833 Mr. FERRIS was taken into the Duck Creek church, three miles north of Columbia, in which church he has always been a most active and useful member. In this church he was clerk for twenty years; was treasurer and deacon for ten years, and after he moved to Columbia, in 1865, was made deacon in the Baptist church at that place, which position he has held ever since, and in all has had an experience of forty-eight years in church work up to this date. He also took a lively interest and management in the erection of the costly and elegant church building in Columbia in 1866 and 1867. To this work he devoted of his means lavishly, and its success as an organized society is due largely to the efficient and never-tiring labors of Mr. FERRIS.

His first business venture, owing to small capital, was as a village blacksmith, which with that of wagon-making, he followed for many years with some success, for by rigid economy and untiring industry he was able, in 1856, from his earnings, to build a hame shop and open business on a larger scale. In this business, with its additions. he has since continued. Prior to 1865 he carried on his business alone. but at that time he took his two brothers into partnership, built a large, new brick factory, thoroughly equipped it with modern machinery. and has since conducted a large and growing business under the firm name of S. M. Ferris & Co., of which Mr. FERRIS is the financial manager.

His children, seven of whom are now living four daughters and three sons - are in prosperous circmstances. Appreciating the advantages of study, Mr. FERRIS has given his children liberal educations. Mrs. Anna M. DE ARMAND DE ARMOND, the oldest daughter, and Mrs. Harriet SMITH both live in Linwood. Mrs. Emma HAWKINS lives in Clark county, Ohio, her husband being a farmer, Mrs. Clara M. WATERS also resides in Linwood, her husband, Charles G. WATERS, being engaged in mercantile business in Cincinnati, Mr. DE ARMAND is a member of the firm of S. M. FERRIS & Co., and Mr. A. E. SMITH is a member of the firm of Roots & Co., Cincinnati (commission merchants). Frank FERRIS, the oldest son, resides with his family in Linwood, and is a farmer. Howard the second son, is an attorney-at-law practicing in Cincinnati. and is a member of the law firm of Cowan & Ferris. Elmer E. FERRIS, the youngest son, is engaged in the hame factory.

Mr. FERRIS has always lived an active and useful life. He is a quiet, unasuming man, cares little for office notoriety; although, had he been an aspirant in that direction we presume he could have secured high positions of trust and responsibility. In his township, for the sake of good government and needed reforms, he has held every office except that of clerk. He helped organize his school district, and for eighteen years following served as one of the trustees on the board of education. He has always believed in the power of the school to elevate society, and so he has been a generous friend to educational interests, all his children, save one, having enjoyed the advantages of collegiate studies at the schools at Granville.

Mr. FERRIS, though conservative in his habits of thought and retiring in his disposition. is emphatic and pronounced in his views. His judgment is formed slowly and his conclusions are generally well regarded by his neighbors. Though he has been engaged in active business for over forty years, yet he has not neglected to improve his mind by reading and study. He has been a most faithful student of history, not only of our own but also of other countries, and having enlarged his views by travel in this and foreign countries, he has a fund of information which makes him a most agreeable companion. In business and in church circles Mr. FERRIS is highly esteemed; but it is in his home relations that his influence is most deeply felt and appreciated. Here, surrounded by a large family of children and grandchildren, he is the central object of interest.