Isaac Ferris Sr.
Isaac Ferris Sr.
Isaac Ferris Sr. was a shoemaker who came to New Jersey, settling in the neighborhood of Broadway and Ferry Avenue in what was then Newton Township, and after 1871, was the Eighth Ward of the City of Camden.
Isaac Ferris Sr. was born in December of 1827 at Easton, Pennsylvania. He wed Dorothea Laird around 1850. A daughter Emma, was born in 1850 in Pennsylvania. When the Census was taken in 1850, Isaac Ferris and family lived in Philadelphia, in the New Market Ward in the area around South 2nd and Lombard Streets. A son, Isaac Ferris Jr. was born October 4, 1854 in Philadelphia and a daughter, Dorothea Ferris was born in Pennsylvania around 1858. Isaac Ferris Sr. and family came to New Jersey soon afterwards.
A son, Jacob C. Ferris was born in New Jersey on March 10, 1859, and it is probable that he was born in Newton Township. The Ferris family lived there when the Census was taken in 1860. Son John L Ferris was born on January 15, 1861 in Camden County. A Pennsylvania death certificate states that daughter Kathryn M. “Kattie” Ferris was born in Pennsylvania in 1863, but census records indicate that she was born in New Jersey, most likely in Burlington Township, as it is known from Civil War draft records that on July 1, 1863 Isaac Ferris Sr. was living there, following his trade as a shoemaker. A son, Washington Ferris was born around 1866, and the Ferris family was still in Burlington when daughter Cora arrived on February 3, 1868. Soon after her birth, Isaac Ferris and his clan returned to Newton Township, and Isaac Ferris established a shoemaking enterprise. The Ferris family is listed there in the 1870 Census. In 1871 Newton Township dissolved and the Ferris family became residents of the City of Camden. The 1872 City Directory shows Isaac Ferris Sr. and Isaac Ferris Jr. at Ferry Road and Webster Street; the 1874 Directory indicates that they were still there.
Isaac Ferris Sr. was interested in politics as a Democrat. He was a Democrat leader in the Eighth Ward of Camden altogether for almost forty years. He served as a Camden police officer from 1874 until the spring of 1877, during the mayoralties of John H. Jones and John Morgan. The family was blessed with two more children in the 1870s, daughters Adelaid “Addie” Ferris on June 21, 1871 and son Harry Laird Ferris on December 25, 1875. Sadly, there was loss, as John L. died on November 6, 1876. 1876 was also the year that son Isaac Ferris Jr. went into business with a shoemaking factory of his own, the beginning of a business career that would take him into banking.
Before his term expired, Isaac Ferris moved to 1702 Fillmore Street, where he would live out his days. The 1880 Census shows the Ferris Family consisting of Isaac and Dorothea Ferris and eight children, Isaac Ferris Jr., Dorothea Ferris, Jacob Ferris, Kathryn Ferris, Washington Ferris, Cora Ferris, Adalaid Ferris, and Harry Ferris. By 1885 Isaac Jr., Dorothea and Jacob had all gone out into the world. When the Census was taken in 1900, youngest son Harry was still at home, as were Kathryn and Dorothea.
Isaac Ferris Sr. died on August 30, 1904 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. His will went to probate on December 12, 1904 in Camden. His widow joined him on October 27, 1910.
Over the River
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Police Appointments—Arrests and Commitments—Camden and Atlantic Railroad
Last evening the annual missionary sermon of the New Jersey Conference was preached in the Third Street M. E. Church, on the occasion of the Missionary Society’s anniversary.
Hon. John H. Jones, mayor of Camden, has appointed the following gentlemen who will constitute the police force of Camden. They will enter upon their duties on the 1st of April:—Chief of Police, Col. William H. Hempsing. Policemen.—First Ward, John Dunn, John McCormick. Second, George W. Gardner, Joseph Pike; Third, William Hartman, Isaac Hires; Fourth, George B. Anderson, George Tenner; Fifth, Benjamin Smith, Patrick Gallagher; Sixth, Thos. Heffernan, Joseph H. Sloan; Seventh, Charles Smith, Frank Souders; Eighth, F. Chamberlain, Isaac Ferris.
Three men, giving their names as Daniel Henry, William Henry and John Walters, were arrested yesterday afternoon for drunken and disorderly conduct, and assaulting some colored persons. They were arraigned before the mayor and committing magistrate, who imposed a fine and costs, and in default of payment they were locked up. Daniel Henry had a Park guard lieutenant’s badge on him at the time.
The earnings of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad for 1873 were $908,996.03, an increase over the preceding year of $41,960. The cost of operating the road was $298,408.72. The number of through passengers carried was 93,858; way passengers, 202,202½; on excursions, 67,648; tons of freight, 104,840½. During the year the company added two first-class locomotives to their road, at a cost of $27,480. The cost of construction and equipment during the year was $89,037.77. Eight first-class new cars have been added to the rolling stock; also, ten new eight-wheel box cars, three eight-wheel freight cars, and one timber truck.
There are at the present time within the bounds of the New Jersey Conference 3556 probationers, 27,592 full members, 198 local preachers, 267 churches, with an approximate value of $1,728,650.
The bill to divide Camden county has been finally defeated in the House of Assembly, where it originated.
Wanted Two Months
Camden Post —
John Plante, of Canada, came to the station house last night a weary, footsore tramp, and asked for lodgings. Officer Ferris took him in. This morning he had a hearing before the Mayor. He said that he had worked in Detroit several months ago, and has been tramping in search of work ever since. His Honor said, “I must give you thirty days.” “Your Honor,” replied the tramp, “give me two months, for it will take me that long to rest.”
The Same Police
Camden Post —
This morning Mayor Morgan reappointed the old force. They are as follows:
First ward—John McCormick and John Dunn. Chief of Police—W. H. Hemsing. Second ward—George Gardiner and Joseph Pike. Third ward—Isaac Hires and Samuel Hankinson. Fourth ward—George Anderson and George A. Tenner. Fifth ward—Patrick Gallagher and Benjamin Smith. Sixth ward—Joseph C. Sloan and Thos Heffernan. Seventh ward—Charles Smith and Francis Souders. Eighth ward—Isaac Ferris and Frederick M. Chamberam.
After the officers were sworn in the Mayor made a pleasing talk to them as to their duties while he is in office. He instructed them that he should require efficient service, close attention to duty and proper discrimination in its discharge.
Criminal Dets.
Camden Post —
Justice Farrell sent Thomas Johnson up for 30 days on Saturday afternoon. Thomas was a tramp, with no visible means of support.
Officer Ferris arrested Samuel Hires this morning, for violating the ordinance relative to the slaughter of cattle within the city limits.
Shoemakers All
Camden Post —
Isaac Ferris was on the police force under Mayors Jones and Morgan, and since then, with Jacob Ferris, has been engaged in the manufacture of shoes in the Eighth ward. George M. Scott is also a shoemaker and wrought for the Ferris firm. On Monday he asked for the loan of $2, and was refused. Because of this refusal he discharged the firm from their position of employers to him. Yesterday he passed the factory when words passed and he went to Justice Baker’s office with a black eye and other bruises. Jacob was held in $300 bail and Isaac in $200 bail to answer charges of knocking down and kicking Scott in the eye, and Scott was held in $100 bail for an assault in shaking his assailants while he was seeing stars.
Camden’s Warring Factions
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Furey Now in Council, But Out of the Excise Commission
There was more excitement at the meeting of Camden City Council last night than there has been since the days when the Republicans had only a small majority. The trouble was over the selection of a Councilman to fill the vacancy in the Eighth ward, caused by the resignation of Isaac Ferris.
The Republicans caucused previous to the meeting, Excise Commissioner Furey receiving the largest vote of his party. Some of the members, however, refused to make the choice unanimous and carried their refusal into the Council chamber. Mr. Furey was nominated by Chairman Lane, of the caucus. Frank Burdsall, of the Second ward, nominated ex-Councilman Charles Helmbold. The vote resulted as follows:
For Furey—Messrs. Barber, Beale, Bedell, Hatch, Hogate, Jefferis, Lane, Miller, Roberts, Ross, Sharp, Smith, Starr, Westcott, Leckner, Lee. Total, 16.
For Helmbold—Messrs. Burdsall, Donges, Githens, Hammond, Jones, Lawton, Lord, Rogers, Scheperkotter—9.
Messrs. Donges, Scheperkotter and Lord are Democrats. As soon as the decision was announced Donges and Scheperkotter created a sensation by handing in their resignations. Mr. Furey moved to accept them, but Councilman Rogers moved to lay them over. The latter motion prevailed.
Mr. Snyder then asked the City Solicitor if Mr. Furey could hold the position of excise commissioner and Councilman at the same time. The City Solicitor decided that he could not and his position as excise commissioner was declared vacant. Councilman Edward E. Jefferis, of the Sixth ward, nominated Charles Lederman, of the Seventh ward, for the vacancy in the Excise Commission, and Mr. Burdsall nominated George A. Frey, editor of the Courier. Five ballots were taken without a result. Both Messrs. Schepperkotter and Donges, after handing in their resignations, left the Council chamber.
Death Summons Isaac Ferris, Sr.
Camden Post-Telegram —
He Was a Former Democratic Leader in the Eighth Ward
An Old Resident Passes Away
Isaac Ferris, Sr., father of Isaac Ferris, the well known shoe manufacturer, of this city, died yesterday of general debility, at his residence, 1702 Fillmore street, after an illness of two weeks, aged 77 years.
Mr. Ferris was born in Easton, Pa., and settled in South Camden sixty-eight years ago. He learned the shoemaking business, and engaged in the manufacture of shoes before modern appliances were introduced. When the machinery for the manufacture of shoes came into vogue he retired from business.
Mr. Ferris at one time took an active part in politics and was the Democratic leader in the Eighth ward.
A widow and nine children survive, they being five daughters and four sons. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on January 12, 1901. His funeral will take place on Friday, with interment in Evergreen Cemetery.
Isaac Ferris, Sr., Has Passed Away
Camden Daily Courier —
Had Been a Resident of This City for Sixty Years
Isaac Ferris, Sr., died at his home, 1702 Fillmore street, at 3:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon of a complication of diseases, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Ferris is father of Isaac Ferris, Jr., the well known shoe manufacturer. He was born in Easton, Pa., but has been a resident of this locality for about sixty-eight years. He enjoyed good health until last summer, when he first began to complain. He was able to be about, however, until two weeks ago when he was obliged to seek his bed.
He leaves a widow and nine children, five girls and four boys, all of whom but three are married. His funeral will take place on Friday. Interment will be made in Evergreen Cemetery.
Death of Isaac Ferris, Sr.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In the death of Isaac Ferris, Sr., Camden loses one of its oldest and most respected citizens. Mr. Ferris, who was 77 years old, died at his home, 1702 Fillmore street, Tuesday evening. He settled in South Camden sixty-eight years ago, and for nearly forty years was a resident of the Eighth ward, of which at one time he was the Democratic leader.
Isaac Ferris, Sr., Buried
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The funeral of Isaac Ferris, Sr., aged 78 years, the founder of one of the largest shoe manufacturing plants in South Jersey, took place yesterday from his late home, 1702 Bilmore street, Camden. Rev. Dr. William J. Cambron, of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, officiated. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
Death of Dorathia Ferris
Camden Post-Telegram —
As a climax of a beautiful Christian life, there passed into a haven of rest yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Dorathia Ferris, widow of the late Isaac W. Ferris, at her home, 1702 Fillmore street. It had been home to Mr. and Mrs. Ferris for many years.
Surrounded by their family the Grim Reaper first wielded his scythe and the father and a son, Jacob, fell to be mourned by those remaining.
For nearly forty years the house had been the home of the family. The section of the city when it was first established was an outlying district, the family growing as the city progressed. No family in the Eighth ward was better known or more respected. The daughters followed after the patient loving mother in the paths of the life that leads to happiness beyond the grave.
Two of those unmarried, Miss Dorathea and Miss Katherine, “Dolly” and “Kate” among their friends, with their mother constituted all that was left of a once large family circle. Mother and daughters were loving companions, and now the daughters are left to mourn the sweet memory of the silent one resting peacefully by the side of the ones she loved who had previously crossed the river of death with the silent boatman.
Her death was peaceful, just the closing of the eyes, a smile and she was gone, that was all; a Christian’s passing to the world beyond. She was in her 80th year.
Besides Miss Dorothea and Miss Katherine Ferris, the mother is survived by Mrs. Charles Helmbold, Isaac Ferris, Mrs. William Shuster, of Rutherford, N.J.; Mrs. Espen Ashton and Harry Ferris, of Phoenixville, Pa.
The funeral will take place at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon. The religious services will be in charge of Rev. A. W. Anderson, late pastor, and Rev. Dr. W. C. Little, present pastor of the Third Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Ferris has been a consistent member for many years. Interment will be made in Evergreen Cemetery.