BENJAMIN E. FERRY

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 827:

Benjamin E. Ferry

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 11, Post-office, Milo).

   Like so many of the present residents of Vernon county, Mr. Ferry is a native Missourian, his birth having occurred at Boonville, Cooper county, July 9, 1853.  His father, Benjamin E. Ferry, was also of Missouri origin, born in St. Charles county, at Fort Dardenne, in 1810.  He was a man of good education and above the ordinary in intelligence, having studied law and also acquired considerable prominence as a politician.  He edited one of the first papers in Missouri, west of St. Louis, at Fayette, Howard county, and after selecting Cooper county as his permanent home was engaged in the publication of a journal at Boonville for some time.  For twenty years he filled most acceptably the office of county clerk of that county and was also for eight years its sheriff, besides these positions of trust and responsibility representing the county in the State Legislature.  Such as his prominence and popularity, as well as ability, that it is said of him that he was never defeated for an office for which he had consented to become a candidate.  In 1861 he entered the Confederate army, served faithfully during his term of  service, and upon returning from the war practiced his profession until 1868, when he came to Vernon county, here making his home until his death in 1875.  Though himself so successful in the political arena his charge to his sons while on his death-bed was to keep out of politics.  When a young man he had married Miss Harriet T. Thompson, adopted daughter of Maj. Triggs, of Frankfort, Ky.; she died at Boonville in 1866, leaving two children living, William T., inspector for Jarvis, Conklin & Co., Kansas City, Mo., and Benjamin E.  Two also died in infancy.  Benjamin was brought up until sixteen years of age in his native town, attending school most of the time.  Subsequently, in 1868, he came with his father to this county, and since then has devoted his time to farming and stock raising, trading largely in Texas cattle.  He owns 360 acres of land, devoted largely to stock culture, and in his efforts is meeting with encouraging success.  On his place is a valuable coal bank, a choice vein three and a half feet in thickness having been found, and this is but from six to ten feet below the surface.  March 12, 1878, Mr. Ferry was married to Miss Annie E. Earhart, daughter of Dr. M. Earhart.  She was born in Red River county, Tex.  Their four children are Michael E., William T., Benjamin E., Jr. and Harriet V.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

 A - B    C - D     E - G     H - L     M - N     O - R     S - T     U - Z

Please contact the County Coordinator if you have family information or photos that can be displayed on this page.