Obituaries: FERRIS, JOHN January 29, 1892

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File contributed by: Mary Johnson marymarge1@yahoo.com
September 12, 2011, 5:09 pm

OBITUARIES: FERRIS, JOHN JANUARY 29, 1892

John Ferris Dead. Death of a Centenarian one hundred
and twenty years old. died at Garryowen, Jackson
County, Iowa, on Friday, January 29, 1892, John Ferris,
aged 120 years. He was a native of the parish Ardfert,
County Kerry, Ireland. His ancestors were
distinquished Irishmen and were persecuted by
Cromwell and their estates confiscated. This act of the
British government determined the Ferris to resist the
last. When the rebellion of '98 broke out John Ferris
was the flag bearer at the battle of Vinegar Hill, and
was then 26 years old. After that historical event the
British government offered a reward for their heads
and three Ferris brothers had to leave the country.
With the assistance of friends and the captain of a ship
they succeeded in escaping to America in the year of
1830, landing at Boston. In 1835, they were in the lead
mines of Galena. In 1839 the three brothers took up
claims in Garryowen where the deceased lived up to
the time of his death. The hardships endured were too
much for Richard who died of consumption in 1841.
The gold fever took Patrick to California; he never
returned. In 1852, John Ferris was married to Bridget
Ryan, who died in 1861, leaving a daughter eighteen
months old. This was the most trying period of John
Ferris's life. When the weather would premit he would
have his little girl in the wagon in the field --this was
her home during fine weather. Soon she grew to
womanhood and was able to take care of her father,
and well and faithfully did she perform her duty. He
lived a plain and temperate life. Everybody believes
that it was his even temper that prolonged his life. He
was never known to get angry. The only way you could
get a frown on his face was to tell him he was too old
to work.

Additional Comments:
John's daughter was Mary Ferris.

Source:
Cascade Pioneer, Jackson County, Iowa USA (Feb
2,1892)