The Ferree Family of Clark County, Ohio

PETER FERREE, farmer; P. O. Springfield; born in York Co., Penn., March 9, 1818; is a son of Peter and Catharine Ferree, natives of Pennsylvania, and who lived and died in their native State. They were parents of seven children; five now survive—Andrew, Leah, Peter, Catharine and Mary. Our subject lived with his parents till the death of his father, which occurred when he was only about 8 years of age, and from this time he was thrown upon the world among strangers, and found a home and work the best he could till about 19 years of age, when he and an older brother came west to Ohio, locating first in Stark County, where he remained about two years. Thence, in the spring of 1839, he came into Clark County, where he has since resided. Was married Dec. 24, 1840, to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Baker, whose history appears in sketch of his son Adam, of German Township, in this work. By this union they have had four children; three now survive—Adam W., Mary C. and Anna. Mr. Ferree started in life a poot boy, and by his own industry, economy and good management has become independent. Is owner of 250 acres of land on Mad River Valley; of excellent quality, under good cultivation, with fine buildings and improvements; also owns 320 acres of land in Illinois and Missouri. Mr. Ferree's credit is undoubted. He owes no man; works on the cash system, consequently has the confidence and friendship of all who know him; and as an example of success, upright dealing and prominence in his community is worthy of imitation by the young in all generations.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ADAM WESLEY FERREE, owner and operator of Grand View Farm, a tract of eighty-one acres, situated about six miles north of Springfield on the Urbana Turnpike, was born December 31, 1847, in German Township, Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Baker) Ferree.

Peter Ferree was born in York County, Pennsylvania, a son of Jacob Ferree, who died when his son Peter was about fourteen years old. Peter was reared on a farm in York Countv, and when about twenty-two years old came to Ohio and located in German Township, Clark County, near Lawrenceville, where he and his cousin, Greorge Lautz, purchased a small farm. Shortly after his marriage he removed to Tremont, where he conducted a hotel for several years. About 1852 he removed to a farm one mile north of Tremont, on the Valley Turnpike, remaining there until 1865, when he removed to the farm now owned by his son, Adam W. Peter Ferree became a very prosperous and well-known farmer, and at one time owned three farms, but previous to his death he sold two of these, one of 114 acres in German Township, and another of seventy-six acres, north of his son's present home. In 1896 he erected the comfortable frame house which is on the farm and died here three years later. Peter Ferree married Elizabeth Baker, who was also born in York County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1889. She came to Clark County, Ohio, when fifteen years of age with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Baker, who settled near Eagle City, in German Township. There were four children born to Peter Ferree and wife, namely: Susan, who died, aged seventeen years; Adam Wesley; Mary, who married Edward Fish, of Spring-field, and Annie, who is the wife of Paul Grindell, of Springfield.

Adam W. Ferree was about five years old when his parents located on a farm north of Tremont, where he was reared and was instructed in practical farming. Since his marriage he has followed general farming on his present place, known as Grand View Farm, and is also extensively engaged in stock-raising, including horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. With the exception of three years, during which he resided one mile farther north, he has spent all of the past thirty-five years on his present farm. Mr. Ferree owns, in partnership with Edward Holman and James Caldwell, a corn bunker and shredder, which they operate principally for themselves.

Mr. Ferree was married February 10, 1875, to Ella Brannaman, a daughter of Joseph Brannaman, and to this union have been born six children, namely: Glenna, Carrol, Lizzie, Oram, Anna Belle and Royal. Glenna is the widow of George C. Neff, who was employed on the railroad and was accidentally killed in 1906. She has two children, Howard and Virgil. Carrol is married and is employed in an automobile shop in Dayton, Ohio. Lizzie lives at home. Oram, a plumber of Springfield, Ohio, is married and has two children, Pauline and Clara Belle. Mr. Ferree is a member of the First Lutheran Church at Spring-field.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID ANSON FERREE.

The agricultural interests of Green township are ably represented by David Anson Ferree, a general farmer and stock raiser, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, July 1849, and is a son of David ana Lizzie

(Conard) Ferree. The parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. The father was a saddier by trade and with his family removed to Ohia some years before the birth of his son, David A., locating in Springfield. In that place he and his wife both died on the same day in August, 1849, of cholera. They left a family of four small children, the oldest being about nine years of age, while David A. was an infant but six weeks old. He, with his eldest sister, Laura, was taken into the home of Elijah and Elizabeth Stewart, where they were kindly and comfortably reared until they were grown. -This sister married William Wilson and now lives in Springfield. Sarah Ellen lived with her uncle, Peter Ferree, married William Pence, a resident of Springfield, and they have five children. Elizabeth was reared hy her aunt, Marian Baker, but died in early giflhood. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were very kind to the young orphans whom they had taken in charge, and gave them a good home apd all educational privileges which they ‘could desire.

In due course of time David Anson Ferree attained man’s estate and was married to Miss Elida T. McClintock, of Springfield township, where she was born Aprii 16, 1853. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Melvin) McClintock, and by her marriage she became the mother of five children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Jessie Elizabeth, who was born March 7, 1886, and Elvin McClintock, born December 1, 1888.

With the exception of two years which he spent in Springfield, Mr. Ferree, since the death of his parents, has resided on the farm in Green township where he now lives, formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, his benefactors. Mrs. Stewart survived her husband for some years and at her death killed the property to Mr. Ferree, of this review. Here he has ‘lived and reared his family. In 1901 he.was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred on the lath of March of that year.

Mr. Ferree supports the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. For fifty-three years—practically all his life—he has been a resident of Green township. His interests therefore are deeply centered in the community in which he lives, and his efforts have ever been directed toward its welfare and improvement. He is a public spirited ‘man, takes an earnest interest in the questions and issues of the day, and his friends always know where to find him—for he is ever on the side of right and truth.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.