The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-23
u. S. SENATOR
ferris DEAD
OF PNEUMONIA
MiChigan'S Silent Orator
SuCCumbS After Illness
of Several Weeks.
HONORED BY HIS STATE
Only Democrat Named to
Upper House in 70 Years
by Commonwealth.

Be- United Press
WASHINGTON, March 23.-Sen-
ator Woodbridge N. Ferris, known
as the Silent Orator from Nichi-
gan" died here at 6:15 a. M today
of bronchial pneumonia. His death
followed an illness of several weeks.
After his condition was pro-
nounced very grave every day for a
week. he took a sudden turn for the
worse last night. Oxygen was ad-
ministered artificially at $50 a. m,
when the end appeared near.
DR.. G. w. Culver, at the bedside
with Ferris wife and two sons,
summoned Admiral Cary T. Gray
son, who previously had attended
Woodrow Wilson in his last illness.
In the presence Of these five and
nurses. the 75-year-old Senator died
IS minutes later.
Tentative arrangements have been
made for Ferris family and a con-
gressional escort to leave here Sun
day afternoon for Big Rapids, Mich,
where burial will take place about
3 p. m. Tuesday.
Governor Green Of Michigan, may
arrange for a special train to con-
vey the party all the way. Other
wise, automobiles will take the cor
tege from Grand Rapids to Big
Rapids.
If Governor Green appoints a Re
publican to succeed Ferris, the
Senate lineup will be forty-eight
Republicans, forty-five Democrats
and one Farmer-Laborite. Earlier
this session two Republicans, Smith
of Illinois and Ware of PENNSYLVANIA.
were denied seats, while the late
Senator Jones Dem) New Mexico,
was replaced by a Republican.
Senator Couzens, the second
Michigan Senator, lauded his dead
colleague in a statement today.
Ferris was the first Democrat to
be elected to the United States Sen
ate from Michigan in seventy years.
His personal popularity was such
that he also served two terms as
Governor in that same Republican
stronghold. And he presented a
third unique feature in that he was
a successful school teacher elected
to high public Office.
Born in Log Cabin
Woodbridge Ferris was born in a
log cabin near Spencer. Tioga Coun-
ty' New York, Jan. 6, 1853. His
early education was obtained in the
country school near his birthplace.
Spencer Union Academy, Candor
Union Academy and Oswego Acad-
emy. Later he entered the Oswego
Normal and Training School.
He first went west in 1873 and en-
tered the University OF Michigan's
medical department, to enlarge his
field of information as a teacher. He
began active teaching in Illinois.
where he organized two business col
leges and taught in the public
schools for several years.
Returning to Michigan, Senator
Ferris opened the Ferris Industrial
School at Big Rapids with two
rooms and fifteen students. 1t grew,
under its founders guidance, to
have sixteen departments and 1000
students.
Winner in Third Campaign
Only in 1923 did Senator Ferris
withdraw from active control He
was candidate for Congress in 1892
and for Governor in 1904, but was
unsuccessful.
He won in 1912, however, and
again in 1914, each time on the
Democratic ticket. After four years
out of Office he once more entered
the race for Governor in 1920, but
was defeated by Alex j. Groesbeck.
His election to the United States
Senate came in November, 1922,
when he ran against Senator Charles
E. Townsend and won in a close
race. He entered on his Six-year
term March 4, 1923.
Senator Ferris was married in
1874 to Miss Helen Frances Gillespie.
she died in 1917. Three sons, one
of whom died in infancy, we're born
to the couple.