Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-19
Hon. Join o. rERR1LL.
His sudden Death Yesterday Morning

Tribute of the Bar-HiS uneral at I
the Cathedral To Morrow.
The community was shocked yesterday
morning by the announcement of tie sud
den and unexpected death of Hon. John
Oliver FerrilI, which event had occurred
about 8 O'Clock a. m. The deceased had
been complaining for several days, but
was about attending to business the
day previous to his death, and those
who met him then little thought
that in a few short hours they would be
called upon to mourn his demise. Maj.
FerrflI was the eldest son of the late John
c. Ferrill. and was born in the family
residence. 81 Montgomery street, Ebert
square, on the 18th Of April, 1886. He was
educated in the grammar school Of the
late Bernard MallOn and at the Chatham
Academy, where he was noted as care
full and studiOus scholar. After a thor
Ough course in these schools he was sent
to the University Of Virginia, where he
graduated. Returning to Savannah in
1851 he entered the law office of that
able jurist. the late ThOs. +.
Lloyd. and was admitted to the bar in
1858. While engaged in his profession,
the intense political excitement which
was the forerunneT of the great conflict
between the States. drew the young
and ardent lawyer into the pOliti-
cal arena, but when the tOcsin
of war sounded he was among the
first at ''the front" He was one of the
volunteers from Georgia who took part in
the bOmbardment of Fort Sumter in 1861.
aid fired the last shot previous to Major
Anderson's surrender. The February of
that year he was appointed from the
Republican Blues,' OF which he had
been a member for a number Of
wears. Judge Advocate of the First Regi-
ment of Georgia Volunteers. and was on
duty at Fort Pulaski and other points in
this military department. He served on
the stats of Gen. Hardee, Gen.
II. c. Wayne and Gen. H. r.
Jackson. In 1868 he was
appointed by Gen. Beauregard as Provost
Judge on his staff, and served in that ca
pacity in Carolina and Georgia. At the
close of the war he resumed the practice
Of the law. and was. in 1866, elected Soil
citOr of the County Court, and held that
office until the court was
abolished. Major Ferrill served
as an Alderman of the city for four years,
and under his direction many improve
ments were made in our public squares,
which are still monuments to his good
taste. In 1888 he was appointed as assist
ant Attorney Ofthe United States Court of
Claims at Washington. DC, as the adJudi-
Gator of cotton claims. At the time Of his
death Maj. Ferrll was a curator Of the
Georgia Historical Society and one of the
committee from that society TO whOmswas
ntrusted the carrying out of the pro-
visions of the will of Miss Telfair as to
the ACADEMY of Arts and Sciences" He
was also member of the Board OfPublic
| Education. He was, however, pest known
to his fellow citizens as the Ordinary Of
Chatham county. to which office he was
elected in 1878, and which he held for
nearly twelve years. To the duties
| OF this important trust, he
brought not only the ability Of a we'll
trained lawyer, but the good judgment
| of a well-balanced mind, and the careful
ness of man who was by nature methodi-
cal. His administration of the difficult
duties intrusted to his office under our
laws was always satisfactory to the pub
lie, and in their discharge he was without
fear and above reproach.
He leaves mother, to whom he was a
devoted son, and sister and three broth
ers. whose idol he was, and many friends
/ to mourn his loss. His funeral Will take
place tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock
from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Per-
petual Help. and the remains will be es-
corted to the grave by the Guards Bat
TALON, of which he was member.
A meeting of the Chatham County Bar
was held in the Superior Court room at
4:30 O'Clock. Upon motion of Hon. p. NJ.
Russell, ST.. Hon. a. p. Adams was called
to preside. and VIM. Clifton, Esq, was re-
quested to act as Secretary.
Judge Adams stated that the MEM
bers of the bar had been called to-
gether to take such action as
might be deemed proper upon
the death of their late brother, Hon. John
Q. Ferrill, which in its sadness had east
a deep gloom over the entire community,
and which the bar was called upon 10
suitably express.
Hon. r. E. Lester, for the purpose of
suggesting what action should be taken,
moved the appointment Of committee OF
five to report to the bar proper means of
expressing its respect to the memory OF
the deceased brother. The Chair APP
pointed Hon. r. E. Lester, W. W. Mackall,
| ESD. Capt. J. NJ. Guerard, b. A. Den
mark, ESD, and Capt. George A, Mercer.
The committee retired, and after brief
consultation reported the following resO-
| buttons;
ResOlced, That a committee Of five MEM
bers of the bar of Chatham county be APP
pointed by the Chair to prepare suitable reso-
buttons IN reference to the decease Of Hon.
John o. Ferrill, and report the same TO an
adjourned meeting Of the bar.
>. That as a mark Of respect TO our deceased
brother. the bar of Chatham county attend
his funeral in a body.
The resolution was adopted, and upon
motion of j. J. Abrams, Esq, the same
committee reporting the resolution was
created the committee to carry out Its
provisions.
Gen. Henry r. Jackson suggested, in
view of the very high official and judicial
positions held by the deceased, the pro
prety Of draping the court house in re-
spect to his memory, and he therefore
moved that the court room and court
| house building be draped in mourning for
thirty days, III respect to the memory Of
him who, by his integrity and faithfulness,
had filled the position Of high trust which
he occupied so satisfactorily to the people.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Upon motion Of Hon. r. E. Lester the
meeting adjourned until 1870 p. m. to-day,
when the report of the Committee on Re-
solutions Will be made.
The members of the barwill meet at the
Superior Court room at 9 O'Clock tO-mor-
row morning, and Will attend the funeral
in a body.
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