Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-10-03
PROF. FERREL'S LIFE.

Mr.. VIM. FeIrel, who was known
to many of our citizens, having lived
in the county early in life and spen'
some time in this city in later years
died in Kansas Sept. IS. The Kansas
City Star Of Sept. 81, says:
William Ferret, the most eminent
meteorologist Of the world, died at G
O'Clock last Friday night an the home
of Charles Taber in haywood, Wyan
dotte county, Kas., twenty miles
from Kansas City, Kas.
Mr.. Ferrel had for the past foul
years made his home at I64I Broad.
way with his brother, DR.. Jacob Fer.
rel. He went TO haywood early in
July to escape the heat of the city, as
he was not we'll. He grew gradually
worse until Friday night, when he
died.
Mr.. Ferret went to Martinsburg.
w. Va, last winter and there, Feb
ruary z, was attacked by la grippe
and from this he never recovered.
Later he was attacked by dropsy,
which was the immediate cause of his
death.
Mr.. Ferrel owned the house at 164l
Broadway, in which he lived, and
owned dozen other pieces of ground
in this city. He had much property
in Rich Hill, in Hutchinson, Kas., in
Washington, and many other places.
His estate is estimated at 500, 900.
Mr.. Ferrel has for many years
borne the title of" professor I" because
of his deep learning, though not &C.
tually engaged in teaching. He got
his early education at Marshall and
Franklin college and graduated at
Bethany college in 1914. In 1857 he
became assistant in the Office of the
american E,phenaeriS and Nautical Al.
nadndc and retained the position ten
years.
He was best known as an authority
in tidal movements. Until 1882 he
had special appointment in the
United States coast survey to discuss
this work. In 1882 he was made as.
slstant, with the rank of professor, IN
the signal service bureau, where he
remained until late in 1886, when he
removed to this city with the inten-
ton to make this his home.
Professor Ferrel had, during the
IS years of his life. contributed more
than any other one man to the scien-
titic literature of the United States.
His work has been of valup to the
whole world, aud before 1868 he hy
hard work made himself recognized
in Europe and was made an honor
airy member of the meteorological
societies of England, Germany, Aus
- 4,
membership in the National Academy
of Sciences.
Mr.. Ferrel's invention of the ma.
chine to predict maxima and minima
tides is now used by coast surveys.
MIR. Ferrels explanation of the eff
feet of centrifugal force and his theory
applying to the general atmospheric
circulation were IN print years before
being properly recognized and his
earliest works were published in 1856
in essays in the Nashville Journal of
Medicine and Surgery.
Some of his most valuable ESSAYS
were on the tornado and wind storm.
Prof. Alexander Meade of st. Paul,
writing life of Mr.. Ferret, says of
his essays: These essays make the
most admirable contribution to the
popular knowledge of meterorology
given by any one mind"
The Smithsonian institution has is
sued many of his papers in its reports.
Though advanced in years, Mr..
Ferrel did not appear to be day
over 60 years. He was quick In his
movements and active in mind. He
was perfectly conscious until death
came.
His last words were; al regret to
leave my friends, but that is all
regret