Benjamin Franklin Ferris - Epilogue


     John, upon return from the War, married, Feb 22, 1866, in Idaho, to
Elizabeth Ann Bagley, daughter of a Morman family in Utah. Elizabeth's parents
are not known to us, but tradition says that she was born in Nova Scotia,
Canada, while her parents were immigrating from England to join the Mormons in
Utah. The record shows that she was born in Canada in 1849. Elizabeth died
September 13, 1928.

     Considering the ferocious reputation of the Mormons of that day, and their
attitude toward marriages outside of the church, this was an act of
considerable daring on both sides. John was well in character, and Elizabeth
was not a woman to accept the plurality of wives and the subservient condition
of women in the Mormon church of that day. Her Mormon upbringing had, however,
left her with a lifelong belief in a solid, secure, and well provided-for
household economy. This was never within John's considerable capabilities and
was bitterly resented by Elizabeth. In her words "He was always making himself
illustrious instead of looking after his family."

     Elizabeth's first child, Mary Finnette or Nettie as she was called, was
born on a winter trek into Idaho. There was no help or shelter about, but John
was not at a loss. He found a little stack of hay on the prairie, burned it,
and spread a buffalo robe on the warm ashes. The child born there was to
outlive the four children that followed.

     Traveling on to the Wyoming territory, he organized a land and cattle
company which somehow resulted in Elizabeth and little Nettie being much alone
in an isolated ranch house. Nettie recalled being sent to hide while Elizabeth
negotiated with surly begging Indians. The ranch did not prosper long.
Pressures from the big ranchers, drought, and blizzard made this a precarious
road to riches. John was elected to the territorial legislature, but politics
were not the way either. However, later on, he called himself Senator. Also in
Wyoming, a vigilante posse once hung an outlaw on Elizabeth's barn, to her
everlasting resentment.

     A wood yard to supply fuel for the Union Pacific Railroad looked promising
until a fire wiped that out. Elizabeth had acquired some furs somewhere along
the uneven path of fortune. She sold the furs and bought a team of mules, which
she leased to a grading contractor on the railroad. She also started a boarding
house to feed the Irish laborers, whom she described as worse than animals. She
was never without money of her own for the rest of her life. John was not to be
depended on.

     Perhaps this was the last straw, for the family is next found on a farm
near Bristow in Butler Co, Iowa. In spite of the plentiful prairie chickens for
food, and red root (wild rose) plowed out of the virgin soil for fuel, this was
not an easy life. John and his brother saw the need for horses, and the West
was full of mustangs for the taking. Off they went to round up a herd of 100
and drive them to Iowa.

     Somehow mustangs were not what the farmers needed, and the farm was soon
sold. The brothers moved to Hampton, Iowa. Sol, Ben and John all started
nurseries. Farmers needed fruit trees and their wives longed for a few shrubs
or roses. Sol's nursery prospered, and, in fact, continues today. John's did
not, and it dwindled gradually away. Sol was considered a success, and a kind,
considerate family man. His son Earl boasted of fabulous wealth. John was
definitely slipping.

     Elizabeth bought an old house in her name on the West side of Hampton. She
remodeled it and added a second story and attic. While this was being done, she
partitioned off a part of the hayloft in the large square barn, and told John
to move in. This was too much, he moved out and went back to the West, to
Collins, Montana, this time, ranching again. There was a picture of a stark
tall house labeled Ferris Hall. John spent the later years of his life in San
Diego, California.

     There is a Ferris Hotel and Ferris House today in Rowlins, Wyoming. They
were founded by a George Ferris and his wife Julia (Childs) Ferris. They do not
seem to be closely related to this Ferris family. The Ferris House is a
beautiful Queen Ann house embelished with every ornament possible. It is
operated as a bed and breakfast today and is a wonderful place to stay. The
Ferris Hotel is a plain stone building now operating only as a bar.

     Ben lived out most of the rest of his life in Hampton, living in his
children's homes very comfortably. He had enough money to lend to his children
and still live well. His wife, Adaline Forrest died December 25, 1916 at
Lamoor, California. She was buried at Hampton, Iowa on January 1, 1917, her
66th birthday.


     Benjamin Franklin Ferris died June 28, 1929 at the age of 90. He is buried
in Hampton, Iowa in the family plot. The nursery he sold to his brother Soloman
is still in business.


     John Charles Ferris, his brother, died November 30, 1934 in San Diego,
California at the age of 99. John was active until nearly the end and was still
making passes at the nurses and making his own whiskey in his nineties.
He was known for his long walks.  A tall gaunt man pictured in the newspapers.

PREV <==    NEXT ==>

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.
Mallory Home Page