Great, great, great grandparents

(5.1.1.5.4.5) WILLIAM MEAD FERRIS born November 26, 1807 Norway, Herkimer, NY on his father's farm and died October 18, 1883; buried with his wife at Hope Cemetery, Galesburg IL; married March 30, 1830 Mary J. Crandall born August 3, 1810 Norway NY and died July 5, 1905 Galesburg IL (tombstone at Hope Cemetery says July 7, 1905) [dau of John and Mary (Browning), who were among the first settlers of Herkimer Co to which they migrated from Rhode Island probably in the 1790s.) He occupied the homestead farm after his father left town. He sold his farm to Charles Hemingway. William, like all his brothers except Timothy, became interested in his father's project for removing to Illinois and was Silvanus's only son to actually accompany his father when the latter set out in June 1837, with his wife and household goods. William, being accompanied by his wife and their two small children, his sister Harriet Newell and husband, Dr. James Bunce and their infant son James. They arrived at Log City, now Galesburg, probably about the middle of July, covering the distance apparently in about five or six weeks. William took with him, or probably had shipped via the lake route, a saw mill purchased at Utica for $500.00 which was doubtless at once set up at Log City and kept busy in cutting lumber for more livable, though simple enough, dwellings, which as soon as possible supplanted the first log cabins, and for the first houses erected in the town of Galesburg. [There were 3 mills in this area and doubtless all three were needed to meet the demands; another source says there were six mills within six miles of each other.] When his and Olmstead's steam saw mill was erected, in 1838, the event was evidently made the occasion of a jubilation, at which, notwithstanding the reputed aversion of the settlers to strong drink, the use of liquor was in evidence to such a degree that it was a source of scandal and of subsequent investigation by the elders of the church; indeed, one brother, Parish Richardson by name, appears to have got drunk and otherwise behaved very badly. The church records of the time contained the following entries: Dec.1, 1838: Resolved that the moderator be directed to cite Brother Richardson to meet the session on the 29th instant to answer the following charges: 1. Making use of intoxicating liquor generally, and once in particular at Mr. Ferris’ mill. Witness, Wm. Ferris. 2. Endeavoring to quarrel & threatening & making use of abusive language to different individuals. Witnesses, Mr. Hoskins, Geo. Ferris, & Wm. Ferris. Jan'y12, 1839: "Wm. M. Ferris sworn, who testified to the following facts: 1st, that he had seen Richardson quite disguised with liquor at the raising of Ferris' mill, though he, the said Ferris, did not furnish any liquor, yet through the help of someone Richardson had procured some & was quite disguised therewith & used profane language & threatened to knock him, the said Ferris, down. 2d, had seen him since raising under the influence of liquor on the evening after Alfred Brown's raising. Also he had not seen said Parish Richardson at meeting for a year past.

But William was himself brought before the church two years later to answer a charge of different character. On Jan. 3, 1838, the church authorities had Resolved that this session consider the practice of taking timber from lands belonging to Congress, non-residents, or others, highly dishonorable to religion, and they feel it to be their solemn duty to pursue the course of discipline pointed out in the gospel against offenses of this kind". And that William Ferris was a transgressor in this respect appears from the following minutes: "Feb.6, 1941: Brother Wm. M. Ferris with whom a committee had been appointed appeared before the church and Session and made a statement of his case which was not satisfactory. Brothers Marsh and Martin were appointed a committee to enquire more particularly into the case and to labor with him and to report the case to the Session if they should find cause of charging against him. March 5, 1841: Brethren Marsh and Martin, a committee to converse with Brother Wm. Ferris reported that they had done so, and that he Denied the charge in part, but admitted he had Purchased saw logs knowing they were stolen but as it was after they were in the mill yard thinks he is not encouraging the trade yet if it grieves the Brethren will Do so no more.

William apparently lived on at the Log City settlement for a while as shown by correspondence, from his father, addressed to him at Henderson Grove (Log City) dated in 1845.

William's home property in Galesburg consisted of what was called a '10-acre lot', extending on Academy from West Main Street, northerly to North Street. This may have been included in a tract of four so-called 10-acre lots containing in all 37 acres more or less, which he had bought of the college in 1845 for $894. (See separate paper on the deed, which is interesting as reflecting the uncompromising hostility of the early settlers to the use of intoxicating liquors.)

William was a man of varied occupations and a character, which made him a well-known figure to everybody in town, so that he acquired the familiar sobriquet of Uncle Billy. He not only made wine for sale, and cheese, but it is a matter of tradition that he was the first 'milk man' in Galesburg, i.e., the first - - after the town began to outgrow the period when each family kept its own cow, - - to organize a milk route and to deliver at the customer's door milk, cream, and cheese. Also he harvested ice from a pond north of the town and was the first to deliver that commodity to the more affluent in the community who had graduated from the old time practice of keeping provisions in tin buckets suspended by a rope in the cool covered wells and cisterns. And he somewhere got hold of a recipe for making a marvelous gastronomic novelty that had a wonderful delicious appeal in the cultivation of an appetite for cooling sweets in the hot summer months, the popularity of which, once established, has never waned with the American public; and thereupon the store windows of all the restaurants and eating places in town were adorned with glass painted signs, - blue letters on a yellow background, - admonishing everybody to EAT UNCLE BILLY’S ICE CREAM. In these various manners he made apparently his chief living. It is purported he did not ever personally farm the section of land given to him by his father, nor obtained any substantial return from it, though he speculated quite actively in Military Tract land warrants, but, like, most speculators, whether in land or grain or stocks on the exchanges, he had in the end nothing to show for these activities, and when he died, his material possessions, measured in terms of money value, were negligible. (Jim - this conflicts with the information contained from another source and discussed in a separate paper on William and the Military Tract Land.)

William was an ardent anti-slavery man, who, had many times secreted fugitive slaves in the hay mows of the old barn on his home place (reputed to have been the largest barn in the county), and Galesburg being a well-known 'station' on the Underground Railway between the south and Canada; and at night he would place the Negro runaways under straw in a box-wagon and send them along to the next station at Princeton, northeasterly from Galesburg, whence they would be forwarded by other sympathetic conspirators until finally they got out of the country. But ten years after the close of the Civil War he was to welcome into his family a rosy-cheeked girl of 19, Sally Estill, from the blue-grass state, whose father had been the owner of a large plantation and many slaves before the war, as the bride of his son and namesake, William Jr.: but the sectional feelings and prejudices which were then still rife throughout the North and South were quickly dissipated in the case of this particular Kentucky belle, who speedily found a warm place in the hearts of all the Ferrises, and, for that matter, all the other Galesburg abolitionists. She was cherished by all for her innate charm and genuine goodness of character, and referred to as Aunt Goodie.

Although William, was at one with all the other pioneers who settled in Galesburg in their antipathy to slavery which was, indeed a part of their religious creed, and was a nominal supporter of the old union first church, he was not, an especially pious man, and was a rather indifferent attendant at church service. As to this, indeed, there is indisputable evidence in a letter (see separate paper) written to him by the Rev. Jonathan Blanchard, pastor of the church, under the date of March 14, 1848, at three o'clock in the morning, when the worthy preacher was, it would appear, pacing the floor in his night-shirt, and between sentences endeavoring at the same time to pacify a restless infant as well as the soul of the good consort of William Mead Ferris by pouring out upon the latter vitriol’s of honest wrath for not communing with this wife of his bosom oftener in holy worship.

William lived on in the old home on North Academy Street until the autumn of 1883, when on, October 19, he passed away, and was buried in Hope Cemetery, Galesburg. He was nearly 76, but his wife, born August 3, 1810, survived him nearly twenty-two years, and died at the age of nearly 95, on July 7, 1905. In the 1892-93 Galesburg City Directory Mrs. Mary C. Ferris (widow of W.M.) resided at 208 N. Academy. Born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.1) LAURA MARIA FERRIS born December 27, 1831 Norway NY and died June 22, 1855 probably from childbirth complications; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg; attended Knox College 1846-51; married December 27, 1853 in Knox Co IL, Nathan Caswell (1833-); and born to them was:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.1.1) IDA LILLIAN CASWELL born April 7, 1855 and died July 28, 1855; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg

(5.1.1.5.4.5.2) JOHN CRANDALL FERRIS born January 24, 1834 Norway NY and died March 3, 1873 Memphis TN; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg IL; attended Knox College 1847-49(46-53)

(5.1.1.5.4.5.3) MARY ELLEN FERRIS born July 8, 1839 Log City [Henderson Grove] near Galesburg and died February 29, 1908 at her home, 246 North Academy Street; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg IL. The first years of her childhood was passed at home, at Henderson Grove, under the surveillance of her parents. There was scarcely a book at her command, and the day of daily newspapers had not dawned in Galesburg. In 1847, the family moved to Galesburg. She first attended a private school and afterwards entered the public schools; with this preparatory training she became a student in Knox Academy. She attended Knox College, 1854-57, graduating with distinction, with the Class of 1857. The first year after leaving college was spent in the study of music and French. In the spring of 1858 she taught the children of the neighborhood, and in April 1859, she went from home to teach in the schools of Henderson County. Mary was on the Knox Faculty, 1860-64. She was a teacher in Canton, Kewanee, Freeport, Galesburg, Monmouth, and Chicago and then became Principal of Galesburg High School, 1876-1895, when the schools and the school system having grown to such proportions that the responsibilities were too great to be longer carried by a woman, she resigned, and accepted the less onerous position of assistant principal, from which she retired in 1901. She was an author and contributor to the Journal of Education, 1905-06. Mary married, September 21, 1865, Robert Hood Gettemy (1825-1891) and they lived in Monmouth IL, until their removal to Chicago in May 1867, where Robert was engaged in the lumber business. In 1869 fire destroyed the accumulation of years, blackening his prospects for the future. His health becoming impaired, they returned to Monmouth in November 1873. In April 1875, Robert returned to Chicago, but his physical condition gave no promise for permanent business pursuits, and Mary Ellen again entered the schoolroom as a teacher, and took the principalship of the High School in Galesburg in 1876. To the cares of the schoolroom was added the care of an invalid husband; after many years of ill health, Robert was at last compelled to give up entirely the active labors of life. He came to Galesburg in 1886, where for five years, he was confined to his home. In 1897, Knox College conferred the Degree of Master of Literature upon her. [Obituary, The Republican Register, Galesburg IL, March 2, 1908.] Born to them was a son:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.3.1) CHARLES FERRIS GETTEMY born March 12, 1868 Chicago IL and died 1939; graduated from Galesburg High School 1885; attended Knox College 1885-90, receiving his B.A. in 1890; M.A., 1893; A.B., Harvard, 1891. He was the political editor Boston Advertiser, Washington correspondent 1891-99; political editor Boston Herald, 1899-1905; author of The True Story of Paul Revere and author of A Memoir of Silvanus Ferris 1773-1861, from which much of this information comes from. [Thanks, Charles!] His working papers are in the Knox College Library in the Archives area. Charles also wrote numerous magazine articles, official reports and documents. He was secretary to Curtis Guild, Jr., the Governor of Massachusetts, 1906-07; Director of Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics, 1907-19; Director of Military Enrollment for Massachusetts, 1917-18, under commission of the Governor, in which capacity he directed the draft of 360,000 men sent by that State to WWI; Assistant Federal Reserve Agent, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston starting in 1919. Charles married, first, December 28, 1897, Hattie Brockway [dau of Francis F. & Catherine J. (Trickle) Brockway] born Wyoming IL, September 16, 1870 and died 1930, probably in Dorchester MA] of Cedar Rapids IA, and he married, second, in 1932, Bertha R. Cheney of Boston. Hattie attended Knox College, 1886-89 graduating with the Class of 1889. Charles is listed in Who's Who. Born to Charles and Hattie was:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.3.1.1) CATHERINE ELLEN GETTEMY born December 20, 1901; graduated Vassar College 1924; married October 4, 1924 Charles O. Richardson and born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.3.1.1.1) NANCY FERRIS RICHARDSON born July 10, 1927

(5.1.1.5.4.5.3.1.1.2) CHARLES BROCKWAY RICHARDSON born August 1, 1931

(5.1.1.5.4.5.4) GEORGE BENEDICT FERRIS born 1839 probably Knox Co IL [not listed by Charles Ferris Gettemy or Chaplain Ferris]

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5)WILLIAM MEAD FERRIS, JR born November 9/11, 1845 Log City near Galesburg IL and died August 20, 1924; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg; attended Knox College 1862-64; married at Richmond KY, September 1, 1875 Sallie Courtney Estill (1855-1940) born Glasgow MO and buried Hope Cemetery; her DAR # is 70537; descended from a Captain Robert Rodes who served in the Revolutionary War. A typed letter in the Ferris Files, Henry M. Seymour Library, Knox College, from William’s granddaughter, Sallie Welsh VanArsdale, notes that William joined the Union Army when he was 17y and because of his youth was sent to Colorado to serve throughout the War {interesting – being 17y didn’t stop many others from being sent to the front lines of battle!} Knox College is in the possession of William’s leather bound flask that he purportedly carried during this Civil War service. The couple lived in St. Louis MO, Ann Arbor MI, and after 1904 Galesburg, where he died. Born to William and Sallie were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1) JOHN ESTILL FERRIS born September 21, 1877 St. Louis MO; graduated from the U. Of Michigan 1900; U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation 1917-18; resident in charge Military Intelligence, General Staff, U.S. Army at Milwaukee WI, February-November 1918; commissioned Major, Military Police, US Army Reserve, 1923; served with the 306th Military Reserve Battalion, 1923-28; there was a John E. Ferris who ran for Governor of Wisconsin, 1924, Independent-Republican candidate – not sure this is same guy; married September 11, 1901 Katherine Elizabeth Wylie born October 17, 1877 at Saginaw MI and born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.1) JAMES WYLIE FERRIS born March 1, 1903

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.2) SALLIE ELIZABETH FERRIS born July 7, 1904; graduated from Milwaukee Downer College 1925; married November 24, 1928 Melvin H. Neils and born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.2.1) PATRICIA ANN NEILS born February 12, 1930

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.2.2) SHIRLEY JEAN NEILS born November 6, 1933

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.2.3) BARBARA JOAN NEILS born December 3, 1934

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.3) JOHN ESTILL FERRIS, JR., born January 6, 1910; graduated from the U. of Wisconsin 1924

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.1.4) ROBERT RODES FERRIS born January 20, 1917

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.2) MARY ELLEN (ELLA) FERRIS born June 23, 1879 St. Louis MO; graduated from the U. of Michigan, A.B., 1902; married June 19, 1902 Percy Seaman Peck and they resided in Grand Rapids MI. A Percy S. Peck belonged to the York Lodge #140, F. & A. M. in Grand Rapids MI in 1922; a Mrs. Percy Peck was a member of The Women’s University Club of Grand Rapids and listed as residing at 90 Jefferson Avenue. Born to them were: [Ella's DAR # is 68167.]

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.2.1) CATHERINE ELIZABETH PECK born May 9, 1904; married January 18, 1928 George Mortimer Roberts and born to them was (resided in Grand Rapids MI):

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.2.1.1) ROSEMARY PECK ROBERTS born April 1, 1929

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.2.2) VIRGINIA MARY PECK born March 23, 1906; married January 22, 1930 Durfee Bradford Apted and they resided in Grand Rapids MI

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.2.3) FLORENCE ESTILL PECK born April 18, 1908; married June 19, 1933 Howard Vincent Watson - divorced - resided in Grand Rapids MI

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.3) ETOLIA MOORE FERRIS born October 21, 1881 St Louis MO and died 1956; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg IL; unmarried; 1927 she resided at 246 North Academy Street, Galesburg.

COMPLAINT IN CHANCERY

Plaintiff ETOLIA M. FERRIS, of the County of Knox and State of Illinois, respectfully represents unto the Court as follows:

1. That she is a resident of the County of Knox and State of Illinois; that on or about September 26, 1924, Percy S. Peck and Ella F. Peck, his wife, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, executed, acknowledged and delivered their certain warranty deed conveying to the Peoples Trust and Savings Bank of Galesburg, Illinois, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Illinois, as Trustee of the following described real estate:

Bounded by a line beginning at a point on the West line of Academy Street, Twelve (12) rods south of the Northeast corner of Ten-acre lot Seven (7) in the City of Galesburg, County of Knox, and State of Illinois, running thence West Twelve (12) rods, thence South Six (6) rods, thence East Twelve (12) rods, to the West line of Academy Street to the point of beginning, being known as the Mary E. Gettemy homestead, situated in the County of Knox and State of Illinois.

2. That the said Deed in Trust was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Knox County, Illinois, September 26, 1924, in Volume 241, page 431; that a full, true and correct copy of said Deed in Trust in attached hereto and made a part hereof as Plaintiff's Exhibit 'A'.

3. That the said Salle E. Ferris, named in said Exhibit A, was the mother of this Plaintiff and that the said Sallie E. Ferris died April 2, 1940; that the said Catharine Peck mentioned in said Deed in Trust is now married to G. Mortimer Roberts, both of whom reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan; that the said Virginia Peck mentioned in said Deed in Trust is now married to Bradford Apted, both of whom reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan; that the said Florence Peck mentioned in said Deed in Trust is now known as Florence Peck Watson and is divorced and not remarried and resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan; that the said Catharine Peck Roberts, Virginia Peck Apted and Florence Peck Watson are the daughters of the said Percy S. Peck and Ella F. Peck, grantors of said Deed in Trust.

4. That the said Percy S. Peck, one of the grantors in the said Deed in Trust, is now deceased but was the husband of Ella F. Peck, sister of the Plaintiff and daughter of the said Sallie E. Ferris; that the property involved in this proceeding consists of a residence located at 240 North Academy Street, Galesburg, Illinois, and that the purpose of the said Deed in Trust and of the conveyance thereby was to provide a home for the said Sallie E. Ferris and for this Plaintiff during their respective lifetimes, or in the event said property could not be maintained as a home, that this Plaintiff receive the income therefrom or from the proceeds thereof during her lifetime.

5. That this Plaintiff is a spinster sixty-eight years of age; that the said Sallie E. Ferris and this Plaintiff resided in the said property until the death of the said Sallie E. Ferris in April, 1940, and that this Plaintiff continued to reside in said property until June 1, 1949; that this Plaintiff is in poor health, unable to care for herself or to maintain and keep the said property in safe and habitable condition; that furthermore this Plaintiff has ******** the taxes and assessments levied against the said property; that since June 1, 1949, this Plaintiff has been a patient at the Knox County Home and Hospital at Knoxville, Illinois, and will continue as a patient in said hospital; that this Plaintiff has no issue and can and will have no issue.

6. That the said residence, while structurally sound, is not modern in design or equipment, is in need of substantial and extensive repairs which this Plaintiff is unable to make and that the said residence has been vacant since approximately June 1, 1949, and is in process of marked deterioration.

7. That the said Peoples Trust and Savings Bank of Galesburg, Illinois, grantee in the said Exhibit A, ceased the banking business (save for collection of accounts due and payment of liabilities) in 1929 and the assets of the said bank were transferred and set over to First Galesburg National Bank and Trust Company, a national banking association, and that the charter of said Peoples Trust and Savings Bank was surrendered in 1935; that no Successor-Trustee under the said Deed in Trust (Exhibit A) has been appointed and that in order to protect and preserve the Trust property or its proceeds for the benefit of this Plaintiff and the Defendants herein, such successor should now be appointed.

8. That, in order to carry out the fundamental purpose of the Trust, the said property should be sold and the net proceeds of such sale, after payment of any necessary expense, should be deposited with and held by the Successor-Trustee, the said funds invested and the income derived therefrom from time to time paid to or for the benefit of this Plaintiff so long as she shall live; that upon her death, the said Trust shall thereupon terminate and the principal of the said Trust fund should be distributed to the said Catharine Peck Roberts, Virginia Peck Apted, and Florence Peck Watson as prescribed in the said Exhibit A; that this Plaintiff is informed and believes that the Defendants named herein are willing that said property be sold, the proceeds thereof invested and the income therefrom paid to this Plaintiff during her lifetime.

FORASMUCH, THEREFORE, as this Plaintiff is without relief save in a court of equity, this Plaintiff files her complaint herein and makes as parties defendant thereto the said above named Catharine Peck Roberts and G. Mortimer Roberts her husband, Virginia Peck Apted and Bradford Apted her husband, and Florence Peck Watson, and respectfully requests the Court as follows:

(a) That Summons is issued by the Clerk of the Court against the said above named Defendants, requiring them to appear in this cause and answer this Complaint.

(b) That the First Galesburg National Bank and Trust Company, a national banking association, by order of this Court, be appointed as Successor-Trustee to the Peoples Trust and Savings Bank and that said Successor-Trustee, when appointed, be vested with all of the power and authority of the grantee in the said Deed in Trust from Percy S. Peck and Ella F. Peck his wife.

(c.) That the Court find and determine that the purpose of the said Trust was to provide a home for the Plaintiff during her lifetime or so long as she was able to live in and maintain such home and that, in the event of her illness and inability to maintain the said property, then said property should be sold, the net proceeds thereof invested and the income arising therefrom paid to or for the benefit of this Plaintiff during her lifetime and upon, her death, the said Trust should terminate and the principal thereof be distributed as provided in the said Deed in Trust.

(d) That, upon the terms and conditions to be approved by the parties hereto and by this Court, the said Successor-Trustee be authorized and empowered to sell ands by its Trustee's Deed to convey the said property to the purchaser thereof.

(e) That this Plaintiff has such other and further relief as equity may require and to this Court shall seem meet.

ETOLIA M. FERRIS,

By Kirkland, Fleming, Green, Martin & Ellis

Her Attorneys.

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

) SS.

COUNTY OF COOK)

VERNON M. WELSH, first being duly sworn, thereby makes affidavit and says that he is the duly authorized agent of Etolia M. Ferris, Plaintiff **********

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.4) WILMA CORRINE LAWSON FERRIS born April 10, 1890 St Louis MO and died April 6, 1915

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.5) WILLIAM MEAD FERRIS III (photographs) born April (5) 15, 1892 St. Louis MO and died September 26, 1918 Blois, France of disease contacted (from mustard gas) in the service of the American Army in WWI; entered service April 7, 1917 at Fort Sheridan IL; sent to France in December 1917; also trained 3 months and became an artillery observer in France and at French Officer’s Camp, Domremy; three days before taking St. Mihiel he was wounded, being struck by a gas bomb, and gassed to unconsciousness on September 26, 1918. He was a 2d Lieutenant, 2d Division, 15th Field Artillery, performing liaison duty in the front line with the Marines at the Battles of Belleau Wood and Chateau Thierry, and was also at St. Michel. He was buried first in the American plot of the French Catholic Cemetery at Blois, his body being afterward brought back to the U.S. and interred in the National Cemetery at Arlington VA. General Bundy spoken of Bill’s excellent service in an article in Everybody’s Magazine. Bill attended Knox College, 1911-14 and was a member of the Knox football team. From the 1914 Gale: William Ferris, Left Guard: This was 'Bill's' first year on the Varsity and his showing was very creditable. He is strong and aggressive. His defensive work was very good. He has two more years and should improve greatly. From the 1915 Gale: William Ferris, Left Tackle: Ferris did most of the punting last season. Shifted from guard to tackle, he played his new position with credit. Bill's defensive driving was disastrous to stop. He will undoubtedly be one of the bulwarks in next year's line. He weighed 170 pounds, the 3d heaviest guy on the team. (See photograph) Bill did not complete his senior year; he entered the Army instead.

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.6) FANITA CRANDALL FERRIS (Photo) born May 22, 1896 St. Louis MO and died age 90y Evanston IL; attended Knox College 1916-18, graduating with the Class of 1918, B.S.; also attended Sweet Briar College and the U. of Wisconsin; married May 30, 1916 (1918?) Vernon McCullough Welsh [son of John Douglas & Ella C. (McCullough) Welsh] born August 15, 1891 Galesburg and died 1969; Vernon graduated from Knox College in 1913, B.A.; LL.B. Harvard, 1916. They moved to Winnetka IL where she lived before moving to Westminister Presbyterian Home in Evanston IL. Fanita was a member of Winnetka Congregational Church and served for many years on the boards of Gads Hill Center and Northwestern University Settlement, both in Evanston. He was a trustee of Knox College from 1939 through at least 1963 and Chairman of the Board, from 1950 to 1969; and Winnetka Village President, 1960-64; a memorial was placed in his honor in Centennial Park 1970. After his death in 1969, Fanita was designated an honorary trustee of the college. Vernon served as a Lieutenant during World War I. He was past president of the Knox Alumni Association and the speaker at the 119th Knox Founder's Day convocation. He was a lawyer and senior partner in Kirland, Ellis, Hodson, Chaffetz, and Masters, Prudential Plaza, Suite 2900, Chicago IL. In 1963, they resided at 1180 Westmoor Road, Winnetka IL (Photo). Both Fanita and Vernon had Scholarship Funds at Knox College in their names.

House of the Season: "The 1928 Vernon Welsh Home" By Joan Evanich

"What a great party house!" This statement was heard over and over again at the Society's annual Gala graciously hosted by Bruce and Kristin Koepfgen. The Southern Colonial style home at 1180 Westmoor (formerly Fig Street) was originally built in 1928 for the Vernon and Fanita Welsh family. Architect Russell Smith Walcott began designs for the Vernon Welsh house in 1926. Born in Chicago in 1889, Mr. Walcott was a graduate of Princeton University. He studied architecture in Europe and formed a partnership with his older brother, Chester Walcott, from 1919-1920. He designed this home under his own name and later partnered with renowned architect, Robert Work, from 1928 until his retirement. The design is reminiscent of a large plantation. It is constructed of cement over metal lath and has a great deal of interior masonry. Large, white stylized Ionic pillars support the half-circle portico which mirrors the circular drive. Third-floor fan lights and multi-paned double-hung windows complete the Southern Colonial design. Both Mr. and Mrs. Welsh personally oversaw every aspect of the design and construction of the house, including minute details such as the type of plaster and the construction of the window sills and doorplates. They installed an oil-burning furnace, an avant-garde decision for 1928. Mrs. Welsh was a bit concerned about the safety of this innovation. To protect against fire or explosion, thick cement floors were installed on the ground floor above the furnace. Vernon Welsh was born in 1891 in Galesburg, Illinois. A graduate of Knox College and Harvard Law (1916), Mr. Welsh was a lawyer with the firm now known as Kirkland & Ellis. He was a valuable citizen of Winnetka and served as Village President from 1960-64. He passed away in 1969. A memorial was placed in his honor at Centennial Park in 1970. Fanita Ferris Welsh (1896-1986) was the great granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvanus Ferris, founders of Knox College. Mrs. Welsh was also active in the community and served on the Winnetka boards of Gads Hill Center and Northwestern University Settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh had two daughters. In 1941, the Welsh's daughter Sallie (Van Arsdale) was debuted from the home. At the time, she was a sophomore at Vassar College. Sallie went on to graduate from Navy Supply Corps School and served in the United States Navy during World War II. Now residing in Florida, she was a long-time resident of Winnetka and is a good friend of the Historical Society. Sallie's younger sister Rosanna was always known as Posey. She graduated from Mills College in 1948 and lived oversees, working for the Marshall Plan in Paris. She married C. Bateman Ewart in 1951. They both worked for the United Nations in various locations around the world. She lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, and still makes frequent visits to France. The Welsh family sold their home in 1965. The second owners, Ferdinand and Eleanor Nadherny, enclosed the porch and enlarged the breakfast area. They raised five children in the home. Perhaps this was the reason that Mrs. Nadherny added a laundry on the second floor. The current owners, Bruce and Kristin Koepfgen, added a wing on the east side, balancing the house architecturally and increasing its floor space by about a third. They also completed extensive interior renovations and formalized the gardens. The care taken by the original, previous and current owners is evident in the way the home has withstood the test of time.

Born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.6.1) SALLIE ELLEN WELSH born July 7, 1922; married 1^st a Mr. Coolidge and 2d a Mr. VanArsdale; attended Vassar College; graduated from Navy Supply Corps School and served in the USN during WWII; long time resident of Winnetka IL; retired to FL
“Each Memorial Day the names of Winnetka servicemen who lost their lives during this nation's armed conflicts are read during a moving ceremony. But aside from Memorial Day, few people take the time to examine the lists of names and the art on Winnetka's war memorial, a cenotaph on the Village Green. It was dedicated Nov. 13, 1927, to recognize the 10 men who died during World War I, the 81 men and one woman (Millicent Yates) who did not return from service during World War II, the two who died in the Korean conflict and the six who were lost in the Vietnam conflict. Although there has been no comprehensive research tracing the lives of those listed on the cenotaph, longtime Winnetka residents recall how their own lives touched some of the names. When the name of Richards P. Washburne is intoned, it revives a poignant memory for Sallie Van Arsdale. Mrs. Van Arsdale grew up on Westmoor Road in Winnetka as Sallie Ellen Welsh, a graduate of The Skokie School and North Shore Country Day School, class of 1940. A classmate had a brother, "Dick" Washburne. At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, Richards P. Washburne was a junior at Williams College in Massachusetts. (Mrs. Van Arsdale says that he is no relation to the namesake of Washburne School.) He volunteered the next year and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. By then, he and Sallie Welsh had talked of marriage after the war. Washburne was a co-pilot on a B17 bomber that was shot down on July 30, 1942, over Kassel, Germany. His death officially reached Winnetka in the fall of 1942. Mrs. Van Arsdale was wearing his Air Corps wings. But the story doesn't end here. On graduation from Vassar in 1944, Sallie Welsh, no longer waiting for a loved one to return, debated how to get involved with the war effort. She settled on the Navy auxiliary called the WAVES, "Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service." "Being a member of the WAVES was an enormous change in atmosphere and routine. We were all motivated to help, "Mrs. Van Arsdale remembers, "It was assumed, because I had been an economics major, that I could best help out in the supply corps. You felt that you were in the mainstream even if our work was not terribly significant. And we did replace men." She was separated from service in June, 1946, and returned to Winnetka while continuing to serve in the Reserves for a few years. Sallie knew other war casualties, one of whom, Claude Reebie, was killed during the Korean conflict. His brother Earl Reebie is also listed on the cenotaph. An Air Corps flyer, he was killed during World War II. One man's name appears twice on the cenotaph. On the Village Green façade a quotation etched into the marble reads, "It is an investment not a loss when a man dies for his country." Dinsmore Ely wrote these words in a letter home during World War I. His name also appears as one of the casualties of the war. The Winnetka Historical Society is in possession of the letter. In April, eighth-graders in Stephanie Welter's class at Washburne School will undertake a project to research the World War II names on the cenotaph. The Winnetka Historical Society will assist by providing names of friends or family members. If you were acquainted or related to someone who is listed on the cenotaph, please contact the Historical Society at 501-6025.”

(5.1.1.5.4.5.5.6.2) ROSANNA EMILIE WELSH (Posey) born August 4, 1926; graduated Mills College 1948; lived overseas, working for the Marshall Plan in Paris; married 1951 C Bateman Ewart Jr and they both worked for the UN in various locations around the world and they resided in Wilmington NC – both donated funds to the U of North Carolina-Wilmington – believe he was a graduate of Dartmouth College 1942 – donated funds to Dartmouth also

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6) EDWIN SPENCER FERRIS born January 9, 1851 and died July 30, 1878; buried Hope Cemetery, Galesburg IL; married January 19, 1875 in Knox Co IL, Harriet Thompson (1854-1925) - there was a Mrs. Harriet T. Ferris who married a James T. Rowcliff in Knox County - since Edwin died so young, would assume this is his widow remarrying - particularly since her daughter named a child Rowcliff below. Born to them was:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1) BERTHA MAY FERRIS born May 27, 1878; married September 10, 1900 Hiram Eugene Todd – is the same Hiram E. Todd, born Peoria Co IL, delegate to Illinois State Constitution Convention 1920-22?; and born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.1) SARAH GERALD TODD (Sally) born July 25, 1905; married April 23, 1927 William Connell and born to them were:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.1.1) SARAH CONNELL (Sally) born February 11, 1928; married a Mr. Bradwin and born to them was:

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.1.1.1) JANET BRADWIN married a Mr. Hogan and has provided current info on this Twig of the Tree- thanks Janet!

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.1.2) NANCY CONNELL (twin) born July 28, 1930

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.1.3) WILLIAM ROBERT CONNELL (twin) born July 28, 1930

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.2) HARRIET TODD born July 25, 1908

(5.1.1.5.4.5.6.1.3) JAMES ROWCLIFFE TODD born November 4, 1917