Evening star., 1928-03-23

Ferris political career was his election
to the United States Senate November
:. 1922 1t climaxed one of the most
spectacular campaigns ever waged in
Michigan, 'NeWberryism" was the
Ferris battle cry. and he carried 1t to
every corner of the State. 1t was the
single wedge that could cleave the Re-
publican rock that had withstood
Democrats assaults for three score
and ten years.
When l entered the race" Senator
Ferris said afterward Il bad not the
fainteSt hope of beinsN~ e,ected l felt
that only a miracle could win for me.
However, l entered the campaign with
ali my strength, and decided to fight
to the last ditch"
One of the points raised by Repub-
licanS against Mr.. Ferris election was
his age. and this drew a prompt and
characteristic reply from him IF age
and physical condition are to be issues
in this campaign" he said IN put on
the boxing gloves with Mr. Townsend
any time he wants to start"
A log cabin on a wooded farm near
Spencer. Tioga County, N. Y, was Mr..
Ferris birthplace. January 6. 1888 It
was a time. as he later said, when sew
ing machines and kerosene lamps were
luXuricS.
Early Life Strenuous.
Young Ferris carly years were filled
with hard work and schooling. The
education was carried on. he said, with
a degree of regularity that "defied
storms and ordinary ailments" The
first eight years of attending school he
described as the horror Of my life 3"
Yet lie lived to become the founder of
a school that has more than 10000
graduates in the United States.
When he was IA years of age the
future United States Senator entered
Spencer Union Academy and from this
point on his educational progress was
rapid. There followed alternate periods
Of student life and teaching at rural
schools. At OSw1go Normal Mr. Ferris
met Helen Frances Gillespie. to whom
he was married December %, 1874 and
a week later Mr.. Ferris and his bride
began teaching at the Spencer Academy.
A year later they moved to Illinois and
established the Frecport Business Col
lege at Freeport. Ill.
There followed years of varying sue
cess in educational work. including five
years during which Mr.. Ferris was
superintendent of schools at PittSfield,
III, They moved to Big Rapids. Mich,
IN 1884 and established Ferris Indus
trial SCh0ol-later Ferris Institute. The
growth of the school from two small
buildings to a 100000 institution was
gradual. but sure
Mrs. Ferris taught for many years at
the institute, Withdrawing in 1901. She
died March 23. 1917. Three sons we're
born 10 them one Of whom lived but a
few months.
Mr.. Ferris married Miss Mary Ethel
McCloud of Indianapolis August IA, 1921
Couzens Pays Tribute.
Senator Couzens. paying a tribute to
his late colleague, Senator Ferris. de-
clared today that mot only does the
State of Michigan lose one of its most
prominent and useful citizens, but the
Nation as well loses an outstanding fig
ure in practical education
He was man OF exceedingly high
ideals, a man who practiced what he
preached, and certainly was an inspira-
tion to the great number of students
who passed through the Ferris Institute
of Big Rapids, Mich. since 1884" the
Senator said
THE country loses a valued servant
whose honesty and integrity was never
questioned. This is the kind of public
servant that 1t is difficult to replace
and l know my fellow countrymen ioin
with me in expressing deepest sympathy
to his family"
Immediately after convening, the Sem
ate today adjourned out of respect to
Senator Ferris Vice President Dawes
was authorized TO appoint a committee
OF 10 Senators to attend the funeral.
Funeral Services Tuesday.
Under tentative funeral plans, the
body of Senator Ferris will leave here
Sunday afternoon at 3.i5 o'clock for
Grand Rapids, from which point 1t will
be taken to the Senator's old home at
Big Rapids, 81 miles away.
The funeral services will be held at
Big Rapids probably Tuesday afternoon
at 3 o'clock. Interment will be in
family nauSoleum Ferris Institute,
founded by the Senator is located al
Big Rapids.
There will be no preliminary services
here, according TO present plans.
LANSING. Mich. March % LP.-
The death today of Senator Woodbridge