Introduction
Charles M. Ferat Sr.
CHARLES MITCHELL FERAT SR. was born in Pennsylvania in August of 1849 to Charles Michael Ferat and his wife the former Helene C. Cummings. He was often referred to in newspapers as Charles Ferat Jr. until his father’s death in 1885.
Charles M. Ferat Sr.’s mother passed when he was 3 years old. His father remarried, and there was at least one half-sister born of this marriage. Charles Michael Ferat had fought in the Civil War as a sergeant with Companies D and A of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry, serving from August 17, 1861 to August 16, 1864. He filed for an invalid’s pension in April of 1880.
The elder Ferat worked as a confectioner, and in the 1870s and 1880s as “herb doctor.” The Ferats lived in Philadelphia after his return from the Civil War. Both father and son worked as confectioners in the late 1860s. The 1870 Census indicated that they had moved a few blocks to what was Newton Township, which was annexed to Camden in 1871. Both father and son were working as confectioners when the census was taken. The Ferats worked in Philadelphia and lived in Camden in the 1870s. The 1870 Directory has them at the northeast corner of Broadway and Liberty Street. The Ferats are not listed in the 1874 Camden City Directory, but are listed in Philadelphia’s Directory. In 1876 both father and son are listed as confectioners at 1202 Broadway. The 1878 Directory and 1884 Directory both show the elder Ferat was practicing herbal medicine at 1202 Broadway. Charles Michael Ferat, then known as Charles Ferat Sr., passed away on April 3, 1885.
In 1876 Charles M. Ferat Sr. opened a business as a candy manufacturer at 421 Federal Street. Charles M. Ferat Sr. married Mary Wrifford on November 29, 1877 at the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Five children were born of this marriage. Charles M. Ferat Jr., Edward “Eddie” Cummings Ferat, William C. Ferat, Helene Ferat, and Mary E. Ferat.
In late 1887 or early 1888 the Ferat family moved to 26 Hudson Street. By December of 1900 the family and the business had moved to 526 Federal Street. This would remain his business address until his passing in 1929. Charles M. Ferat retired from business in 1927, making his home with his daughter Helene and her husband William Sauerhoff in Audubon, New Jersey.
Son Charles M. Ferat Jr. married Nellie Ottinger on August 11, 1900. There were two children, a daughter, Ruth, and a son Charles M. Ferat III. Charles and Nellie Ferat were living at 628 Berkley Street in September of 1918, when he registered for the draft. He was then working at the New York Shipbuilding Company shipyards. After the war Charles M. Ferat Jr. worked at City Hall, and for many years as a clerk in the Camden County District Court.
The second son, Edward “Eddie” Cummings Ferat was quite well known as a professional basketball player, and was a member of the 1903-04 National Basket Ball League champion Camden Electrics.
Advertisement — Fancy Candies
Camden Daily Post —
ALL KINDS OF Fancy Candies, 25 CTS. A POUND, AT THE FACTORY, No. 421 Federal Street. C. M. FERAT, A Liberal Deduction Made to the Trade.
Piscatorial Sports.
Camden Post —
Messrs. Thaddeus Pulaski Sobeileski Constantine Warsaw Varney, Commodore Robert Stockton, and Captain Charles Ferat, of base ball fame, departed yesterday, for Barnegat City, on their annual fishing excursion and as a result the price of fish has perceptibly advanced. They return in a few days.
Jurors for April Court
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles M. Ferat is listed among the Camden County men summoned for jury duty by Sheriff Somers before Judge Joline for the April term of court.
Ferat Obsequies to Be Held Monday
Camden Courier-Post —
Widely Known Confectioner Dies Suddenly in 80th Year
Funeral services will be held Monday for Charles M. Ferat, 80, who kept a confectionery shop on Federal street for more than 50 years, and who died suddenly yesterday of a heart attack. Services will take place at 2 p. m. at the home of Joseph H. Murray, Jr., and burial will be private.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferat would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary that day, and a quiet family reunion had been planned. Mr. and Mrs. Ferat made their home with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Sauerhoff. Mr. Ferat collapsed while sweeping leaves from the porch.
It was more than 50 years ago that Mr. Ferat opened his first confectionery shop at Federal Street, where Charles Ferat’s candy store was located for more than 40 years.
Edward C. Ferat, having played with the famous Camden Electrics, champions of the old National Basketball League in 1902. Charles M. Ferat, Jr., has been for more than 10 years clerk in district court.
Charles M. Ferat, 80, Buried at Evergreen
Camden Courier-Post —
Old Friends Attend Funeral of Prominent Confectioner
Funeral services were held yesterday for Charles M. Ferat, 80, retired Camden merchant, who died suddenly Thursday. Services took place at the Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper street, and were attended by many who had known Mr. Ferat for years. Honorary pallbearers were Arthur H. Green, Camden manufacturer; Louis H. Mohrman, former superintendent of streets and highways; Benjamin H. Boardman, Camden painting contractor; William Huhn and William Fithian, and Walter J. Parsons, connected with the Camden Lodge of Elks. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery.
More than 250 persons attended services conducted Sunday in the funeral home by members of the Masonic lodges, Elks and Wyoming Tribe, Red Men, of which Mr. Ferat was a member. There were numerous floral tributes. Mr. Ferat was a thirty-second degree Mason.
Mr. Ferat conducted a confectionary shop on Federal street more than half a century. During that time he was affiliated with many civic movements. He retired two years ago.
Mr. Ferat and his widow, Mary A., would have celebrated their fifty-second wedding anniversary last Friday. He is also survived by three sons, Edward C., Charles M., Jr., and William C., two daughters, Mrs. William L. Sauerhoff and Mrs. Mary E. Sattler, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.