The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-03-23

was OyIIduIOS Uu1bOAS Va uSA "
force, q fighter in the ranks o
democracy more because of his en-
thusiasm for its principles than TO
any cmolument the party might con
fer upon him.
A Powerful Figure
/ Michigan democracy has had NJ
j figure 50 picturesque, SO powerful
and so popular as Mr.. Ferris. "Mis
ter" was his favorite title, even II
the days when Ferris Institute, The
educational institution he founded q
Big Rapids, Mich, was ut it, zenith
and when he was privileged to be ad.
dressed as Professor" The first
time his name appeared in state pc.
litical circles-in 1904, when he was
the Democratic standard bearer for
governor-hc threw scare into the
Republican ranks by running ahead
of his ticket, even in the face of Pres
idcnt Roosevelt's popularity and gen.
eral unpopularity Of the Democratic
party in Michigan.
Then, as afterwards, it was a case
of the party seeking the man. It
was eight years later-in 1912-that
Mr.. Ferris again was gubernator.
ial candidate, and this time he was
elected. Two years later he was
reelected, winning over Chas. s. Os.
born, a former governor.
After serving two years as govern
or, Mr.. Ferris resumed his school
work at Big Rapids, leaving his
books only in 1920 to seek the gov.
ernorship again, and going down
with his party in the Republican
landslide.
His Big Achievement
The superlative achievement Of
Mr.. Ferris political career was his
election to the United States senate
Nov. z, 1922. It climaxed one of the
most spectacular campaigns ever
waged in Michigan, "Newberry.ism"
was the Ferris battlecry, and he car
ried it to every corner of the state.
It was the single wedge that could
cleave the Republican rock that had
withstood Democrats assaults for
three score and 10 years.
"When I entered the race" SEN
ator Ferris said afterward, II had
not the faintest hope Of being elected.
! felt that only miracle could win
for me. However, / entered the
campaign with all my strength, and
decided to fight to the last ditch"
One Of the points raised by Re.
publicans 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 issue in this campaign" he said,
"I'll put on the boxing gloves with
Mr.. Townsend any time he wants to
start"
Born in 1853
A log cabin on wooded farm near
Spencer, Tioga county, New York,
was Mr.. Ferris birthplace, January
6, 1853. It was a time, as he later
said, when sewing machines and ker.
osene lamps were luxuries.
Young Ferris early years were
filled with hard work and schooling.
The education was carried on, he
said, with degree of regularity
that "defied storms and ordinary all
ments." The first eight years Of at
tending school he described as 1.-THE
horror of my life" Yet he 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 prog
ress was rapid. There followed al
ternate periods Of student life and
teaching at rural schools. At Os.
wego Normal Mr.. Ferris met Helen
Frances Gillespie to whom he was
married December 23, 1874, and q
week later Mr.. Ferris and his bride
began teaching at the Spencer
Academy. A year later they moved
to Illinois and established the Free
port Business College at Freeport,
A Noted Educator
There followed years of varying
success in educational work, includ-
ing five years during which Mr.. Fer
ris was superintendent of schools at
Pittsfield, III. They moved to Big
Rapids, Mich, in 1884 and estab-
ished Ferris Industrial School
later Ferris Institute. The growth
of the school from two small build
ings to a 100000 institution was
gradual, but sure.
Mrs. Ferris taught for many years
at the Institute withdrawing in 1901.
She died March %, 1917. Three sons
were born to them one Of whom lived
but a few months.
Mr.. Ferris married Miss Mary
Ethel McCloud Of Indianapolis, Au-
gust IA, 1921.
FERRIS DEATH GIVES
G. O. p. ONE MORE VOTE