Benjamin Franklin Ferris - Last Words
March 1921
False prophets and false theories. Why should I or anyone record their
beliefs and thoughts, if such beliefs and thoughts are not popular. But correct
ideas and correct thoughts may be unpopular.
I hesitate to continue these memoirs, after 10 years. I am now living with
my daughter Lulu, Mrs. J. W. Barry. Have a pleasant room on 2nd floor of their
fine dwelling house. Am well cared for and enjoying life as well as a poor man
of 82 years can enjoy life.
All children married and no quarrel with any of their mates. All have good
home in which I am made welcome, If I owe one cent in the world, it is to my
children. A time deposit in the Citizens Bank of Hampton, to cover funeral
expence and a checking account in Franklin Co. Bank. September 15th, 1920, I
advanced to my son J. C. Ferris of Hampton, Iowa, three hundred and seventy
five dollars to make payment on his home were he now lives, and I hold his note
at 6% for same.
After selling my place on Bridge St., I bought a house on Walnut St. and
Concha was married there.
My wife went to Gunnison, Colorado to visit her sister, and I went to
Colins, Montana to visit my brother John. We both stopped at Central City,
Nebraska and spent 10 verry pleasant days with my nephew, George H. Ferris, and
his wife and children, a happy family, with broad acres, well stocked and well
managed. We met at Omaha on our way home after spending six weeks with our
respective kin folks.
George Ferris was indeed a successful family man, farmer, inventor,
etc. He was innovative in farming techniques and quite modern. (EHM 3)
A word about children. Ben, second son was killed at Dobuque, Iowa, July 4
in a railroad axident, and he was first to occupy our cemetary plot. A few
years later Earny was thrown from the top of a boxcar, broke his leg and lost
his foot.
John returned from S. Dakota, where he had taken up a homestead and had
started a business college at Oelwein, encouraged by C. and G. W. RR officials.
It did not pay and he later moved to Dumont and took charge of RR station
there, later moving to Hampton with his wife and four bright children, where he
lives now.
Wife died December 25, 1916 at Lamoor, California, was brot here and was
buried January 1, 1917, her 66 birthday.
Good by my dear Adaline. You were a good woman, a good mother, and a true
and faithful wife. Goodby.
Leones baby Shirly May was born June 1918, and I went back to California
in Sept of that year, came back to Iowa in April 1919, after having visited San
Diego and many other interesting places in Southern Calif. Went back next
spring accompanied by my Grandson Kenneth Ferris.
Am writing from memory and dates are liable to be mixed. I came back to
Hampton in October, and it certainly seemed good to be back in my ideal room
with Jo and Lulu. after having spent four verry happy months with my children
and friends on the Pacific coast.
March 21, 1921
Soon after my return from Calif, friend, L. J. Kron, asked me to accompany
him, his wife, and Mrs. Rowe to Des Moines, in his car. it being State Fair
week, I accepted and went. Except for slipry roads, it was a verry pleasant
trip, but I carelessly let a wheel of the car run over my foot. Mr and Mrs O.
F. Neal kindly took me in for the night and the next morning I came back to
Hampton with a foot badly brussed, now six months later, I am still a little
lame from it.
April 13, 1921
A good letter from Earny and May of April first reports all fine at El
Centro. Thinking back I remember that I borrowed money once from Earnest and
once from Concha that I never paid, about $150 each. Am under obligations to
all my children that I can never discharge.
April 15, 1921
Snow is falling about as fast as it ever falls, ground covered and it
looks like a real winter, not encourging to farmers, but verry interesting to
look at through the window. The largest flakes I ever saw, many of them would
cover as much space as a cabbage leaf. Plenty of autos skidding thru the storm,
and school children passing in droves.
April 16, 1921
A cold raw day as was expected. Hasler is out and Hooker is in. Hasler bet
on powers and lost.
Two days ago R. L. and Concha took me to Sheffield in search of clothing
and I ordered a suit of Frank Jornegan, $59.00.
Yesterday Jack and Milla fed the bunch. Donevan with his Ford and Jack
with his Buick took all of Johns and me to their beautiful farm home and fed us
and entertained us royally. They feel blue because prices of farm products are
low.
A Billy Sunday, by another name, is stirring up the sinners in Hampton.
April 24, 1921
A fine letter, 12 pages, from Leone came today and one from brother John
of 12 long pages of typewritten sence and nonsence.
July 8, 1921
Since writing above, I attended state encampment G. A. R., Department of
Iowa, at Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. James Pilson entertained me at their
pretty home on Riehl St.
An enjoyable time with the comrads at G. A. R. headquarters from evening
of June 6th to evening of 7th when I was taken with an awful pain in my
appendix. Pilsons put me to bed and called a Dr., who thru a scare into every
one, but me, and they sent for my children.
John, Milla, Concha, Bob and the kid got there next morning in Bob's car.
Milla staid with me, Bob, Concha, and John came back to Hampton in the night.
Dr. McAlvine pulled me thru and sent statement $41.50, with hotel and
transportation $6.00, Pilsons $15.00, Milla $10.00, Dr. Hackers not yet
received, made my trip to Waterloo expensive and it has left me somewhat
enfeebled. Bob got into a ditch with his car and it took from 8 PM to 5 AM next
day to get back from Waterloo to Hampton. The trip, added to one to Rochester,
Minn, where Lulu was in hospital, was too much for Concha and she suffered an
attack of apendacitus next day. Prompt attention and good care soon brot her
out, and at present she is doing housework with help of a maid.
Lulu is mending slowly. Milla is working hard in house and field,
realizing that they have a big load to carry with their big farm and big
encumbrance.
My friend and comrad L. J. Kron was defeated for office of Dep. Com.,
department of Iowa, G. A. R. at Waterloo. I regret it verry mluch, may be more
than he does.
Last night Bob took Cohcha, John and I to Colter to view the wreaked bank
that was robbed the night before. About $2000 cash and nearly as much
government bonds was taken by the robbers.
Bro. J. C. writes me to join a Ferris reunion at Colins, Montana, Nov 8th
next week to celebrate my 83 birthday, but I decline while thanking him for his
good intentions.
A fine letter from comrad and friend R. E. McCrellis. He is stopping with
his daughter Faith (Mrs. Kelly) in Washington, D.C.
July 13, 1921
John is 49 today and Jess is planning present of suit of cloths as a
present for him.
I attended library board meeting last night and declined reelection as
president of board. They said nice things to me and had me all "puffed up".
August 4, 1921
I got good letter from my niece, Mrs B. F. Snider of Golden, Colorado, on
August 1st.
September 9, 1921
Bro. John writes that he will be in Hampton next week.
I loaned Frank Wheeler $100 and took note signed by him and his wife, due
in one year at 8%. Bob L. Saley has note.
Moved back to my old room at Lulu's on September 8th, 1921. This is the
best room I ever lived in and I am glad to be back.
September 29, 1921
Bro. John came on 23rd and went on to Indianapolis G. A. R. meet. I let
him have $10.00. He is coming back for a visit. Got a nice long letter from
Leone on 24th.
September 30, 1921
A good letter from El Centro from Earnest and May.
October 7, 1921
Bro. John is here back from Indianapolis. R. H. Cary came this morning and
brot his nice 4 year girl Shirly May.
October 8, 1921
I let Bro. John have $5.00. Mrs. Wm. Barry, Jo's mother, died Oct 6.
October 10, 1921
Bro. John left for Collins Montana, gave me a check $20.00 in full payment
for recent loans.
October 12, 1921
Received of Frank Proctor, $10.30 for appraisment of Muir estate. Let son
J. C. have $30.
November 24, 1921
Bro. John came and got no smiles from Tub or Edna. R. H. Cary came with
his sweet girl Shirly May. Concha has a girl born Nov 21, 1921.
Lulu joined us at 6 o'clock dinner.
November 22, 1921
Got letter from Poke Forrest and answered it. Ate thanksgiving dinner with
Milla and Jack and had a feast fir for a king.
December 16, 1921
Gave Milla $6.00.
December 17, 1921
Sent Leone check for $10.00.
January 3, 1922
Gave John blank check for Dorothy's glasses, they cost $18.00.
Dorothy Pauline Ferris, John's daughter (EHM 3)
January 5, 1922
Bought Clair skates, $2.00. Gave Lola $2.00. Sent Milla $5.00. Sent check
to National tribune $6.00 for George Autry, DAvid Henderson and myself.
Clair Adaline Ferris, another daughter of John's (EHM 3)
January 7, 1922
John Marken buried here yesterday. Went to Concha's to see baby. Gave Lulu
check for $5.00. Paid $18 for Dorothy's eyes.
March 1, 1922
Loaned J. E. Dovey $500 for one year.
April 25, 1922
I came to dinner with Milla on 16th and she prevailed on me to make my
home with her on the farm for a time. Leone is writing me to visit her, but as
I am comfortable here, I am "sitting tight".
Last night, fifteen of us old soldiers took supper with comrad J. R.
Fowler by invitation, his 77th anniversary. Mrs. Kile Fowler and Mrs. L. L.
Conor provided a feast.
Milla took me to town with horse and buggy, and Donevan came after me.
Took dinner with John, Jess and kidds, Sunday 3rd.
June 19, 1922
Went to Iowa City G. A. R. Elected Com. Kron Dep. Com. Have arranged to
got to California with my good daughter Clair.
July 4, 1922
Bro. John writes some queer letters. He seems to be busy and thinks he
enjoys life, but I could not be content, living as he does, practically alone
at the age of 88, almost.
Lulu and Jo left this morning for Rochester, Minn. to consult Mayo's as
she is ailing, and has faith in Mayo's. They took their Ford car and Jo expects
to come back by rail and leave the car for Lulu.
Dale Jeffers came to see us last night. She is a dandy girl and is an
interesting lady.
July 23, 1922
Good letters from Bro. John, Ida Waterman, and Chas H. I plan to start for
Calif. tomorrow.
Jo and Frank Barry tried to drink all the booze. Lulu staid a week of more
at Rochester, Minn., and had something removed from her breast.
September 17, 1922
Arrived in Hampton this AM at 2 o'clock, terminating a visit to Leone and
Earnest and other friends in Calif of 7 weeks.
All pleasant here except the Barry's are still trying to drink all the
booze. F. F. Wheeler paid me $108 in full for his note.
At Iowa Cita we did elect L. J. Kron Commander, department of Iowa G. A.
R. Had a number 1 time, also had a fine time at Des Moines at national G. A. R.
encampment, and elected Judge Willet of Iowa, national Comm. Milla went to Des
Moines with me, also Mr. and Mrs. Jake Miller, and Mrs. Frank Lukensmire, and
we roomed together at a private house.
November 8, 1922
My 84th birthday. Friends made it a pleasant day for me. W. R. C. had a
supper in Memorial Hall and I had to talk. I got a reminder from Leone and a
fine electric lamp from Milla, Lulu and Concha. It has a reflector and helps me
verry much.
December 24, 1922
Am living comfortable with son J. C. on north Bridge St. His family try to
make it pleasant for me, but is is hard for them to realise that anyone needs a
temperature in the 80's.
I expect to go to El Centro, Calif. soon, because it is warmer there than
here, and knowing I will be welcome there.
There is a Christmas tree, decorated and bespangled, in the parlor and big
preparations are being made for a lively Christmas tomorrow, when all the
Ferris family are invited to come and participate.
I came here Dec. 7th '22 and will leave here on Jan 1st, '23 to spend
balance of winter with my son and daughter in El Centro, Calif.
Christmas tree at R. L. Saley's was a success in every way, the finest I
ever saw, for a family tree.
January 1, 1923
Left Hampton over R.I.R.R., accompanied by my daughter Lulu, for Calif. at
10:30 PM. Snow and cold, train late.
January 5, 1923 -El Centro, Calif.
We arrived here 11 AM today. A pleasant uneventful trip.
May 13, 1923
Arrived in Hampton from Calif., found all well and went to Milla's and to
my old room where I staid untill Oct 24, when I returned to my cosy room at
Lulu's on 4th St. The best place on earth for me, while things run smoothly.
November 9, 1923
Yesterday Concha sent me an invite to eat supper with her as it was my
85th anniversary. John found me at Memorial Hall and he walked to Concha's with
me. At 5:30, my friends, neaded by Wm Parks began to drop in, Savage, Kron,
Whitney, Hollingsworth, Fowler, Story and Reeve came in with broad smiles and
hearty handshaked. R. L. Saley and his verry good wife served us a number 1
feast, waiting on us in person.
In November I gave Lulu fifty dollars to help cover expenses, but she
objected and gave back one half of it. After that I gave her $25.00 each month
untill March 1924, when I gave her fifty dollars.
April 1, 1924
Bro. John writes from Soldiers Home, Calif., in hospital. I sent Clair a
little money.
April 10, 1924
I gave Lulu $35.00, but she gave me back ten dollars of it. Got letter
from Rosa and answered it.
May 9, 1924
Gave Lulu check $25.00. Got wire that Brother John was sick and broke in
West Los Angeles. Sent Brother John a check for $20.00.
June 13, 1924
A letter from W. F. Richardson that his father S. D. Richardson died on
10th of June. I gave Lulu $25.00
July 3, 1924
On June 29, the worst storm Hampton ever saw visited us.
July 28, 1924
Gave son John check for one hundred dollars toward paying for his car.
August 1, 1924
Attended "blowout" at Johns, it being their 25th wedding anniversary, a
big house full of warm friends of John and Jess.
September 19, 1924
Gave R. L. Saley time deposit check for $500 on Citizens Bank of Hampton,
for safekeeping. He now has J. E. Doveys note for $500, and J. C. Ferris's note
for $375 given years ago in his bank box.
December 15, 1924
I gave Lulu $30.00, five extra for Christmas. Sent Earnest $25.00, Sent
Ida $5.
December 17, 1924
I went before examining board to be examined for increase of pension, and
was successful, so from that date, I am to get seventy two dollars per month
penson in place of fifty dollars which I had been getting. I may not deserve
it, but will try to find use for it.
June 16, 1926
After so long a time, I take up this work. I made my 6th trip to Calif. in
October last in company of Kenneth Ferris. Visited at El Centro with Leone and
Earnest and their families, and at San Diego with Bro. John and my niece Mrs.
Millie Nobel and a daughter of my niece Mrs. Child Lutz, a Mrs Walker.
Millie Nobel may be Millicent Montana Ferris, daughter of Henry E.
Ferris, Ben's brother. (EHM 3)
July 20, 1926
Not much transpiring. Friends in Calif. inviting me to come and bring
Milla. We have radio, I helped $50.
Brother John is back in San Diego, Calif. I find no record of money, $500,
I loaned J. E. Dovey for which I hold his note dated March 1, 1922, nor of the
$100 I loaned Kenneth Ferris when his father bought auto, for which I have
nothing to show. Date of latter about Sept 1, 1924.
In April, gave Milla check for $175 so she could visit her son Donevan
Dovey and others in California. Gave son J. C. his note for $375 with 5 years
interest. It was for money loaned, collected from J. E. Dovey, $75 being 5%
interest on his note for $500 which I hold. This paid for interest to March 1,
1926.
Leone came July 3rd with Leonard and Marylyn, they are interesting.
Dorothy and I met them at Iowa Falls.
September 17, 1926
I loaned E. J. Stonebreker $25.00. Lulu took me in her car to Des Moines
for the G. A. R. encampment. Met Bro. John there, broke as usual. Bad weather
and old age interferred, but it proved a pleasant outing.
Brother John came to Hampton after thrilling experience in Des Moines,
spent 15 days here and left for California on October 17, 1926.
What might qualify as a thrilling experience to these adventurers one
wonders, particularly at the age of 91. (EHM 2)
October 29, 1926
Sent E. W. check for fifty dollars.
November 15, 1926
Sent Earnest sixty five dollars.
January 4, 1927
Cash in bank $1506.52. Loaned Lulu $100 dollars.
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Ben Franklin Ferris - Introduction
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1838-1846
Ben Franklin Ferris - 1846-1857
Ben Franklin Ferris - The Early Years
Ben Franklin Ferris - Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - After the War
Ben Franklin Ferris - Mexican Civil War
Ben Franklin Ferris - On to Montana
Ben Franklin Ferris - Last Words
Ben Franklin Ferris - Epilogue
Battle of Apache Canyon and Pigeon's Ranch
Fort Union National Monument
Bibliography
Preface to These Documents. (Brief)
Family History
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary.
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