Ferris State University - Ferriscope Yearbook (Big Rapids, MI)

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encouragement aroused in me a hunger for knowledge, a desire to do something and be something. Wliile attending the rural school I engaged in the simple out-of-door sports such as quoits, goal, baseball, wrestling, snap the whip, and, in winter, fox and geese. I was never a leader in games, although in baseball I was a fair catcher. During the summer I frequented, with other boys, the big creek where I learned to swim. In winter I had my share of en- joyment in riding or sliding down hill. I also learned to skate. At the age of twelve I had the use of my father's 'tsmooth bore riHe'l with which I traveled thousands of miles over the hills and through the valleys hunting par- tridges, quails, squirrels and rabbits. llrom spring until autumn I trapped for woodchucks. At the age of ten I had one playmate, Rossman Snyder, who received all of the attention my leisure hours and half- days would permit. I still have a tin-type picture represent- ing us in a standing position just prior to his leaving for his new home at Oxford. Michigan. I am unable to recognize in my life any influence, or abiding effect growing out of this association. He is now, QIQOQD, a resident of Detroit, Mich- igan. I could mention other playmates of rural school days but their influence was essentially negative. Although I had five sisters I was not fond of the society of girls. To be frank. I shunned them. At the age of fourteen I entered the Spencer Union Academy where I made rapid progress. These were not happy days. My ill-fitting clothing and awkward manners excited the ridicule of the village boys and girls. W'hile attending this school I had the good fortune to have as a companion George Barker Stevens. He was about 1ny age, less aggressive, less crude, but as I discovered later, the possessor of more brains than I ever dared to claim. In English Grammar I was particularly dull, so dull that the teacher by way of encouragement called me a blockhead. George was quite as dull in algebra and he likewise was called a blockhead. In arithmetic and algebra I was strong and so we exchanged consolations, George consoling me in grammar while I consoled him in arithmetic and algebra. During these few months at the Academy George frequent- ly walked out with me to my home and I as frequently went with George to his home. I do not recall that we so much as dreamed of following any particular vocation when we should attain manhood. The nearest approach to this came when we bade each other good-bye on our last day at the Academy. I said, George, what are you going to do?', He said, 'AI may teach after I get sufhcient education. In answer to his return question I made the same answer. George, like myself, fulfilled his boyhood's prediction. After several years had elapsed I learned that George had gradu- ated from Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.. that he had graduated from a Theological Seminary and preached at XVatertown, N. Y., received the degree D. D. from the Uni- versity of ,lena and finally had been appointed to the Dwight Chair of Theology at Yale University. He held this position at the time of his death in 1906. During his connection with Yale he had the honor of being acting President during President Dwight's six months' absence abroad. George Barker Stevens is another one of the numerous specimens of late fruit of a rich and lasting quality. I treasure his friendship as one of my boyhoodzs choicest blessings. In the spring following my sixteenth birthday I entered the Candor Union Academy eight miles distant from my

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I I I I l I RVN f K- gp Y father, John f ' I Ferris,j'r., 3 was born in the Township of Spencer, Tioga Coun- ty, N. Y., january 15, 1824. He was one of a family of eight, five boys and three girls. His home on the little farm offered few opportunities fo r growth. Poverty hung like a pall over the children. just as soon as they could earn a pit- tance at manual labor they were not only made to take care of them- selves, but to give a por- tion of their earnings to their father and mother. They were denied the privileges of school, consequently, my father did not acquire even the rudiinents of an edu- cation. WOODBRIDGE N. FERRIS At the age of twenty-eight he married Stella Reed, an orphan, one of seven children. My mother was nearly eighteen years of age at the time of her marriage. She was then living in the home of Russell Gridley on a farm four or five miles from Candor, Tioga County, N. Y. She acquired a good common school education. Father and mother began housekeeping in a little log house four miles southeast of the village of Spencer. Fath- er had purchased a hemlock forest of seventy or eighty acres. In this log house I was born, 'Ianuary 6, 1853. Four of my sisters, Sarah, Anna, Mariette and Olive were also born here. It is impossible for me to give an adequate description of father and mother's struggle on this prospective farm. The great hemlocks were cut into logs, rolled into heaps and burned. Gradually the forest disappeared and fields of wheat, patches of corn and buckwheat were planted. A few cows and sheep were cared for in order to help the family eke out a meager existence. In those days sewing machines and kerosene lamps were unheard of luxuries. In 1863, ten years after my birth and during the Civil VVar, father built the new house . In the new home two more children, Stella and Seymour, were born. All of the children were sent to the district school with a degree of regularity that defied storms and ordinary ailments. I be- gan school when I was four years of age. During the eight succeeding years, school was the horror of my life. During my first three years at school my entire outfit consisted of a reader. I was not allowed to have a slate for fear I might indulge in making pictures. Life in the school-room was a burden. My unsatisfied craving for something to do forced me into mischief and mischief brought me into con- iiict with the teacher with the old-time result, frequent flog- gings, The winter I was twelve years of age marks the turning point in my school life. Williaiii Holdridge, a teacher who lived in the district, invited the arithmetic class, of which I was a member, to visit his home evenings. His -personal

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home. I found myself less embarrassed than in the Spencer Academy. The Principal, Chas, Evans, was a bright, vivacious, inspiring, helpful man. Under his tuition the country boy received sympathetic consideration. During my attendance at the Candor Academy I became acquainted with Edward E. Snyder, four years my senior. Two months in autumn, September and Qctober, we boarded ourselves. Our stove and pipe were the worse for use. In making ad- justments of old lengths of pipe I not infrequently became angry and made comments not suitable for publication. On one occasion I said, Edward, why do you never get mad? He said, I can not afford itn. This remark awakened in me a thought that still lingers in my mind. He was a philosopher. One day Harry Denman, a refined and noble boy from a cultured family, invited Edward to tea. Know- ing our mode of living he kindly invited me. I declined. VVhen Edward and I arrived at our room an hour in ad- vance of the tea he said, Ferris, you are going over to I-Iarry's, aren't you ? I said, UNO . He said, f'VVhy not ? I replied HMy bringing up makes it impossible. I would fail utterly in my manners . Hie laughed and with a firm voice said, You are goingu. I went. Never before nor since that hour have I had a more embarrassing experience. The napkins and individual butter dishes were unknown im- plements to me. Furthermore, I was unaccustomed to being helped. At home I helped myself. Edward E. Snyder is now a skillful homoeopathic phy- sician in Binghampton, N. Y. His amiable disposition, quiet self-control, and pleasing manners exercised a gra- cious influence over my daily conduct. In the following autumn I attended a teachers' institute at Waverly, N. Y. This institute was conducted by Dr. john French, author of French's Arithmetics. He, was an enthusiastic instructor.- His broad knowledge of human nature, his appreciation of practical things induced me to become one of his ardent admirers. During the week the candidates for teaching were examined. On the last hour of the last day the County School Superintendent, Mr. A. 1. Lange, discovered that I had passed the examination. I at once, through my old schoolmate, Edward E. Snyder, be- gan my search for a rural school. Six or seven miles from Candor, N. Y. and fourteen or fifteen miles from my home I found a school district called Fairfield. I persuaded the school officers to give me a trial. I offered to teach a week, and in the event of a failure I would make no charges. I Uboarded roundu and for my services I received S28 per month. I made few rules, visited every home, assisted the weak and lazy, restrained the careless and tried to inspire all of the children. The following spring I entered the Owego Academy at Owego, Tioga County, N. Y., the county seat, situated eighteen miles from my home. Wliile attending the Acad- emy I had for a roommate and classmate Minor Watkiiis, a young man I had met some years before while attending what was then called the VVest Candor CRuralj School. W'e boarded ourselves. At the Academy I became acquainted with three or four young men who exercised a wholesome infiuence over my conduct. At this writing I am unable to describe them with defmiteness. In the Academy I main- tained a good reputation as a student. In fact, I succeeded in passing the state examination for Regents Certificate. This certificate would, at that time, have admitted me to Cornell University without examination.