History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.

.4 - 4Y

l,

52

HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

moved with his parents to the wild home at Grand Haven, to experience the hardships and adversities of pioneer life. He received a
common school education and was bred to business pursuits. With
the exception of two years spent as a clerk in a store in Illinois, he remained, a co-laborer with his father until the latter's death in 1867.
In partnership with his brother, E. P. Ferry, he has since continued
the lumber business, which, under his general management, has
been prosecuted with energy and success. He early manifested an
interest in public matters; and, at the age of twenty-one years, was
chosen County Clerk of Ottawa County. Two years later, in 1850,
he was elected a Representative to the Michigan Legislature to serve
a term of two years. In 1856 he was elected State Senator for two
years. For eight years he was an active member of the Republican
State Committee. He was a delegate at large, and one of the VicePresidents of the National Republican Convention at Chicago in
1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln. In 1863 he was appointed Commissioner for Michigan of the Soldiers' National
Cemetery at Gettysburgh. In 1864 he was elected a Representative to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and was re-elected, successively,
to the Fortieth, Forty-first and Forty-second Congresses, serving on
some of the most important committees. In January 1871, after
an exciting contest, he was elected United States Senator for a term
of six years. He consequently surrendered his place in the House
of Representatives of the Forty-second Congress, and took his seat
in the Senate March 4, 1871. His services of six years in the
House, and the legislative experience there obtained, were recognized when he entered the Senate. He was chosen Chairman of the
Committee on the Revision of Rules; afterwards, was repeatedly
elected President pro tempore of the Senate; and, by virtue of this
office, upon the death of Vice-President Wilson, became acting VicePresident of the United States. He was President of the joint
meeting of the two Houses of Congress during the intensely exciting count of the electoral votes, resulting in the choice of President
Hayes and Vice-President Wheeler. In this position he acquitted
himself with such impartiality and ability that he was re-elected
March 4, 1877, by a unanimous vote, President pro tempore of the
Senate. In January, 1877, he was re-elected United States Senator to serve for the term of six years. In early life he acted with
the Whigs, but joined the Republican party as soon as it was organized, and at once became a zealous advocate of its principles.
In every Presidential campaign since 1860, he has canvassed the
State in behalf of the Republican candidate. As a public speaker,
his power lies in his earnest language, concise statements, and sound
logic, without any attempt at eloquence or oratorical display. His
course in Congress has met with the general approbation of the people
of all parties in Michigan. He has done much to advance the interests of his native state. To his efforts Michigan is greatly indebted for the generous river and harbor improvements which have
so materially aided in developing her- resources, and in preserving
the lives and property of her citizens. It was through his influence,
also, that the beautiful Island of Mackinac, or as much of it as belongs to the United States, has been converted into a National Paik.
He has also labored zealously in the cause of the soldiers and sailors
of Michigan, who participated in the late civn war. His speeches
on finance have been widely read and are highly valued. He has
done much to perfect the postal system; and his work on the Committee on Post-offices and Post-roads has elicited the highest praise

from the press throughout the country. The present rules of the
United States Senate, adopted by that body under his revision and
report are a standing tribute to his ability as a parliamentarian.
To promote the general welfare has been the aim of his Congressional life. An indefatigable worker, courteous and upright, his
career reflects honor alike upon his State and Country.

MAJOR N. H. FERRY.
The late Major Noah Henry Ferry was born on the Island of
Mackinac April 30th, 1831. His home influences were such as to
develop in him a strong, thoroughly cultivated mind, an honorable,
lovable character, and an unblemished life. His aunt, Mary A.
White, later a teacher at Rockford, Ill., Seminary, had charge of
his early training. He afterwards graduated at Bell's Commercial
College, Chicago, with such credit that he was selected immediately
to conduct one of the vacant departments of the institution. His
business life was spent at White River, where he was associated
with his brother, Edward P. Ferry. He laid out the village now
called Montague, and was engaged as a lumber merchant. He
possessed by inheritance and education qualities essential to his
success in life. Peculiar energy and force of character; a generous,
loving heart, combined with a clear appreciation of the social and
political duties of a citizen, won for him the hearty respect of all.
In 1861 he was in the full tide of business success, and in the active
control of large pecuniary interests; but when it became evident
that the country required the aid of every competent man in the
field to insure a prompt crushing out of treason, he tendered his
services for any post in which he might be needed. Circumstances
prevented his accepting the commission of adjutant in the Third
Michigan Cavalry, which was offered him. In the ensuing Summer
the exigencies of the war demanded immediately increased enlistments, and within twenty-four hours after the energetic call, he organized a company of 102 men. August 14th, 1862, he was commissioned Captain of Company F, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. The
regiment was ordered to Washington, and assigned to duty in the
Army-of the Potomac. He participated in active out-post duty with
his regiment, gained the confidence and respect of his superior officers, and the unwavering trust and love of his men. He was soon
promoted to the rank of major. On the 3d of July, 1863, when
leading his battalion on the field of Gettysburg, with the inspiring
word "Onward!" he fell, shot through the head, instantly killed. A
braver or more chivalrous soldier never fell on the field of battle.
He shrunk from no duty, and permitted his men to incur no privation which he did not share. His body, wrapped in the flag he
died defending, was taken to Grand Haven. A monument in the
Grand Haven Cemetery marks his grave.
The history of the Ferry family would lnot be complete without
that of
MISS MARY A. WHITE,
sister-in-law of the Rev.W. M. Ferry, and who has had so much to do
with the moral training and educational development of her nephews, and indeed many of the children of the first pioneers, as she
was for a generation the only teacher at Grand Haven. She was
born at Ashfield, Mass., September- 18th, 1813. Her early advantages were good, and she was educated partly at Sanderson Academy, and partly by that famous teacher, Miss Mary Lyon, from
whom she feels she gained her inspiration as a teacher. She commenced teaching at the age of 16, first a private and then a district
school, in Ashfield. Afterwards she, with her sister, taught a
boarding school in Amherst, Mass. June 10th, 1835, she came to
Grand Haven, and soon opened a private school in the house of
Mr. Ferry, nearly without pay. On the organizing of the district
she took charge of the school, in which she continued constantly,
with the exception of a few months, until 1852. She then taught at
Steubenville, Ohio, one year, and afterwards ten years as associate

teacher in the seminary at Rockford, Ill., making in all thirty-four
years of zealous labor as a teacher of the young.
Miss White, now verging towards old age, is in the quiet enjoyment of a competence, and is the honored head of the bachelor
home of her nephew, Senator T. W. Ferry, who was educated by

r

L

j

-1- ------- i

~ w04p