George E. Ferris, adoptive father of Francis Marion (Edwards) Ferris. George came to the U. S. from Land's End, Cornwall, England. He was born March 31, 1823 in Dawlish, England. He died about 4:30 P. M. September 22, 1912 in Sutherland, Nebraska. He served in the Civil War and later received a pension. From a letter from Lillian Morrison to Byron: "Apparently Francis was 3 yrs old when he was adopted and that was about the time Lucinda remarried. Meanwhile his grandfather was living in Mr. Pleasant, Iowa, also Lucinda's. One thing my Dad had told me was that William Henry had asked his close friend who was George Ferris, in case he died, to take care of his son-- so that's why they adopted him. George Ferris was from Cornwall and was a cabinet maker. Sarah his wife did the adopting while George was in the army."
From a letter from Nancy Underwood to Byron:
" Grandfather always considered him as his "father" and when George was old (after Sarah died) he lived with the family in Danville. Pictures of him at that time show him with a long white beard. Addie Ferris's mother, Grandma Watt, lived with then, too. Must have been quite a houseful!"
Lillian Morrison says that her father Charles "thought the world" of George. He taught the boys woodworking skills among other things.
Sarah C. Ferris, the adoptive mother of Francis Marion (Edwards) Ferris. Sarah died January 12, 1892. George and Sarah were married April 6, 1849 in Bridport, Dorset, England. In addition to their adoptive son Francis, they had three daughters:
Mary Elizabeth, born 1850
Ida C., born 1853
Carrie H., born 1859.
It is clear from the records that George and Sarah placed a high value on education. We know that Francis graduated from college and became a lawyer. In the 1870 Federal Census the three youngest children are listed as attending school, and 18-year old Ida is listed as attending college.
