Francis Marion Edwards (Ferris) with his wife Addie Louise Watt Ferris and children. Photo taken ca. 1908. Francis Marion Ferris was born Edwards, son of Pvt. William Henry Edwards and Lucinda Roberts Edwards. He was adopted by George and Sarah Ferris of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1863. The adoption was legalized in 1865. Two of our family historians offer theories of how Francis Marion got his name. Allen thinks that Francis was named after his great aunt Frances Edwards Hale, daughter of John Edwards. Sally suggests Francis was named after the revolutionary war hero Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox). Francis Marion Edwards was born May 17, 1860 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended Iowa Wesleyan University in Mr. Pleasant, Iowa. He was admitted to the Bar June 14, 1882 in Iowa. On October 18, 1882 he was licensed to practice law in Dakota Territory. On December 7, 1883 he was appointed as Court Commissioner of Dist. Court of 2nd Judicial Dist. of Dakota Territory. He was admitted to the bar in five states. Around 1900 he moved to Danville, Ill as agency director of N.Y. Life Insurance Co. until retiring in 1925. He died June 3, 1945. He is buried at Springhill Cemetery, Danville, Illinois, Lot 7, Block 18.
Addie Watt's father was Charles R. Watt and her mother was Mary Charissa Ward.
.
|
|
From a note from Nancy Underwood: "The Ferris family home at 1118 Franklin street, Danville, Illinois. The house was sold in the late twenties and remained vacant for several years. Upon its purchase the lovely white columns were removed from the front and the lovely exterior was covered with shingles, and it was converted into apartments! It seemed a desecration to all of us."
|
|
Addie Louise (Watt) Ferris August 18, 1867- July 21, 1914, daughter and oldest child of Charles Robertson Watt and Mary Charissa Ward. The picture was made sometime between 1887 and 1897 when the Watt family resided in Sioux City, Iowa. The photograph is from Genelli Gallery, N.W. Starks Prop., 607 Fourth St., Sioux City, Iowa. She gave piano lessons and directed choirs for many years. She was a prominent vocalist and instructor in vocal music. She is our link to many famous people. She was a direct descendant of Jonathan Edwards, the famous theologian and president of Princeton University, and Sarah Pierpont. Sarah Pierpont's ancestors go back to Rev. Thos. Hooker who settled Connecticut. The Pierponts go back to Norman times. Robert accompanied William the Conqueror to England and fought in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. John Pierpont, 1617-1682 was founder of the family in America. She is buried at Springhill Cemetery, Danville, Illinois, Lot 7, Block 18.
|
Francis Marion (Edwards) Ferris, ca. 1920
IN REMEMBRANCE
By Nancy Louise Underwood
When I was 22 years old I lost one of the dearest people I had ever known. Francis Marion Ferris, my "Grampa", was one of the "old school" and a true gentleman. This term fits him perfectly as he was above all a gentle man. So good, loving and sentimental with the soul of a poet. Tall and handsome with twinkly blue eyes and curly white hair. Always soft-spoken, he was quiet and introspective by nature. Never a harsh word passed his lips and he was courtly and kind to all. Above all he had an intense devotion to his family and all who were encompassed within it.
The old-fashioned things were dear to his heart. He loved the old songs and his favorites were "Springtime In The Rockies", "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", and "I Love You Truly." I can hear him now humming them.
He had a passion for nature and all her glories. The back garden of the little house on Walnut Street in Danville, which he shared with his third wife Frances, was a haven of peace and beauty for him. His favorite place to go when he went into town was Dodson's Seed Store and he was always warmly welcomed.
His last years were sorrowful because of failing health. He had lost his power of speech from a stroke which made it difficult for him to communicate. It was terribly sad and frustrating for him and all those who loved him.
Death came to him early one morning in his garden and I cannot think of anyplace more fitting and know he could not have wished for anything better.
ADDIE WATT FERRIS
By Nancy Louise Underwood
To my sorrow I never knew my Grandmother Addie. She died when my mother was just 16 years old. But I know from her pictures that she was beautiful when she was young She had dark hair, beautiful dark brown eyes and dimples in an oval face. Her ancestress, Sarah Pierpont Edwards has been described as having these features and it is known that many of her descendants inherited them. Addie surely did.
She was talented musically, both in piano and voice. My mother told me that some of her fondest Memories were of the family gathered around the piano. This aptitude for music was passed on to my mother and my brother. But I was not that fortunate.
On her mother's side, Addie had an illustrious heritage. This includes a "Mayflower" Pilgrim, numerous Men of the Cloth, Presidents of colleges, Governors of states, and, of course, the famous 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards. Even Aaron Burr of infamous memory is on her family tree as well as Eli Whitney of cotton gin fame who married into the Edwards family, and so many others.
I know from hearing about her through the years that her nature was as beautiful as her face. She was a loving wife, mother and friend whose passing was deeply mourned by all those she left behind. My grandfather married twice more after her death. But I know in his heart he cherished her as long as he lived. She was his first love, the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. He once said, "I had three wives and I loved them all. But I loved Addie best."
I have a small envelope, yellowed and torn in places. Tucked inside is a stained, embroidered handkerchief. Pinned to it is a small sachet with a pink ribbon bow. There is a note in Grampa's handwriting which says: "To my children: This handkerchief is the last one used to dry Mama's tears on the morning of July 21, 1914 when she left us. This little scent bag was worn by Mama pinned to her gown during her last day with us." The little sachet still holds a faint whisper of scent from that time so long ago.
Marion Raymond Ferris and Charles Francis Ferris, ca. 1890
George Ferris and Adelaide Ferris ca 1903, Danville, Illinois
|
|
|
|
|
|
Left to right: Francis Edwards, Charles Francis, Adelaide Louise, Francis Marion Ferris, George Ward (Bud),
and Marion Raymond on the 80th birthday of F.M. Ferris, Danville, Illinois 1940.
Click here to see the letter from Francis Marion to his children
|
CHILDREN |
BORN |
DIED |
MARRIED |
|
Lillian May |
11/16/1886 Erie, Kansas |
7/10/1887 Erie, Kansas |
|
|
Charles Frances (2 children) |
11/27/1887 Erie, Kansas |
7/5/1982 Iron Mt., Michigan |
Alpha Mildred Williams July 13, 1913, Jamaica, Illinois |
|
Marion Raymond (6 children) |
12/5/1889 Souix City, Iowa |
3/9/1964 Tucson, Arizona |
Ethel Elizabeth Williams ca. 1910 |
|
Francis Edwards (4 children) |
5/30/1891 Souix City, Iowa |
8/20/1983 Kingston, Michigan |
Grace Dropp 1919, Middle Inlet, Wisconsin |
|
Adelaide Louise (2 children) |
2/5/1898 Kansas City, Mo. |
11/1/1984 Palm Beach, Florida |
Kendell Hooton 8/1920, Danville, Illinois |
|
George Ward (2 children) |
12/5/1899 Danville, Ill. |
11/12/1959 Worthington, Indiana |
Julia Synder |
