From: KENOSHA EVENING NEWS
KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1927
FRONT PAGE HEADLINE, WITH PICTURE:
JAMES C. FERRIS DIED IN CHICAGO
Pneumonia is Fatal for Former Leader in Kenosha Industry
James C. Ferris, Long a High Official of Simmons Company and Leader in Civic Life in Kenosha, Dies Friday Night in Chicago After Short Illness.
James C. Ferris, 54, for many years a high official of the Simmons Company and a leader in the industrial and civic life of Kenosha and more recently president of the Homossassa Land Development Company of Florida, died Friday just before midnight at his apartment at 539 Wellington Avenue in Chicago, according to a message reaching Kenosha this morning.
Death came as a result of an attack of pneumonia, with which Mr. Ferris was stricken less than ten days ago. Returning from a business trip to New York early last week, he had contracted a cold, which was not believed to be serious. Later pneumonia developed from which he was unable to rally.
Friday morning word reached his friends in Kenosha that his condition was most critical. He gradually grew weaker, dying at 11:30 Friday night.

ENTIRE CITY MOURNS
The news of his death cast a shadow over the entire city today and especially over Simmons Company where he was widely known among officials and employees of the company. In addition to his activities as a leader of industry in Kenosha, he had also been a leader in civic and fraternal life in this city and the word of his death brought sorrow to these other circles.
James C. Ferris born in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ferris on December 5th, 1872. He had lived his boyhood in that city, attending the schools there and working as a youngster in stores and industries of Galesburg. When he was twenty years of age he went to Chicago, where for three years he was employed in a factory there.
Rose from the Ranks
He came to Kenosha in 1895, being thrown out of employment in Chicago because of the industrial depression of that period. He first entered the employ of the Sterling Bicycle Works here, later entering Simmons company as a buffer in 1899.
At the Simmons company he rose from the ranks to one of the highest positions of the company, advancing from buffer to night foreman, foreman, assistant superintendent, superintendent and then to vice-president and director of the company.
By 1916 he had become superintendent of the Kenosha plant of the Simmons company and shortly after than became vice president in charge of production of all of the plants of the company. He directed the production of the Simmons company during the war period, when it established one of the best records in meeting war order demands of any industry in the entire nation.
Later Took Charge of Sales
On May 5, 1924, he was advanced to the position of vice-president and director in charge of sales, advertising and service of the Simmons company, which position he resigned two years ago in order to enter the Homossassa Land Development company, interested in large properties around Homossassa, Florida. He was president of that company. He had several other business interests with which he divided his time during the past few years.
As one of the high executives of Simmons company, he had been prominent in the development of welfare work for employees of the company. He had been one of the leading patrons of baseball and other civic welfare activities of that company. He had perfected the Round Table organization of that company, developing it into a more active factor in the industry.
In Kenosha he had been a leader in various civic and fraternal organizations. He was also widely known for his private philanthropies in aiding worthy movements and organizations.
Long a Resident Here
Mr. Ferris had long been a resident of Kenosha and despite the fact that for the past two years he had lived in the south, had never lost interest in Kenosha, which he still considered as his home. He had been a frequent visitor here, having been in Kenosha less than two weeks ago.
He was a member of the Kenosha Lodge of Elks, the Kenosha Knights of Pythias, the Kenosha Country Club and various other organizations here. He had been a leader in these organizations and his death will come as a great loss to them.
On January 2, 1897 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Swanson of Kenosha and for many years they resided at 673 Durkee Avenue in this city. They were divorced early this year.
Mr. Ferris is survived by his son, Lawrence Grant Ferris, of Kenosha, his former wife, Mrs. Anna Ferris, also of Kenosha and by several brothers and sisters, all residing near Galesburg, Ill.
He was taken to the Bentley funeral home at 2701 North Clark Street, Chicago, from which he will be brought to Kenosha on Sunday. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the Elk's home in Kenosha with the Kenosha Lodge of Elks in charge. The remains will then be taken to Galesburg, Illinois for burial in the family plot in the cemetery of that city.