Introduction
Jacob C. Ferris Sr. was the son of Isaac Ferris Sr., 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. 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.
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. The family moved to Burlington Township for a few years in the 1860s. Sister Kathryn M. “Kattie” Ferris was born 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 Sr. 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. 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. The Ferris family was living at 1702 Fillmore Street when the 1876 City Directory was compiled.
Jacob C. Ferris followed his father and older brother into the shoe manufacturing business. The 1880 Census shows the Ferris Family, living at 1702 Fillmore Street, 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.
On July 26, 1882 Jacob Ferris married Susanna Sweeney. A daughter, Eliza “Lydia” Charlotte Ferris was born on April 27, 1883 in Camden. The 1887–1888 City Directory lists the family at 1703 Broadway, they were at 1618 Broadway in 1888. They were still there in 1895. Two more children came, Son Jacob Herbert Ferris on May 28, 1892, and Miriam H Ferris on December 6, 1894 in Camden. By 1896, Jacob Ferris family had moved to 546 Stevens Street.
Jacob C. Ferris fell ill around the end of 1903. He died as a result of gas asphyxiation on December 26, 1904. His father had died only a few months previously.
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 Business Man Dead in Bath Room
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Jacob C. Ferris, aged 47 years, a well-known Camden business man, was found dead in the bathroom at his home at 546 Steven street yesterday morning. When discovered the body was lying across a gas stove, the deadly fumes escaping from the tube, which had been disconnected from the stove. It is presumed Mr. Ferris, who had been ill for a year, was taken with a fainting spell and fell on the stove, resulting in the tube being torn from the stove. Coroner Kirk gave a certificate of death due to gas asphyxiation.
Mr. Ferris was a member of the Commercial Club, the Camden Lodge of Elks and until recently a member of the shoe manufacturing firm of Isaac Ferris, Jr., & Co. He is survived by a widow and three children.