Dexter Mason Ferry was the son of wagonmaker Joseph Northrop and Lucy Dexter (Mason) Ferry Crippen. He was the husband of Adeline "Addie" Elizabeth (Miller) Ferry. They were married October 1, 1867. Adeline died November 2, 1906.

University of Michigan
Bentley Historical Library
Ferry Family (Dexter Ferry) Papers 1758-1989 (Bulk 1855-1959)
Abstract: A pioneer Detroit, Michigan family, established the Ferry Seed company and other business enterprises, active in civic and cultural affairs. Papers document the family and its business, cultural, political and philanthropic activities.

Obituary
The New York Times
November 12, 1907
Dexter M. Ferry Dead; Head Of Big Seed Firm Is Found Lifeless In Bed
Detroit, Mich.-Nov. 11
FERRY.--Dexter M. Ferry, head of one of the greatest seed firms in the United States which bore his name, and prominent in local business enterprises, was found dead in bed at his home here today. He retired last night in apparently good health, and died from heart disease during the night. Mr. Ferry was born at Lowville, New York August 8, 1833. His boyhood was spent working on a farm and attending the district school in the winter. He went to Rochester in his eighteenth year and obtained employment with a kinsman. Mr. Ferry went to Detroit in 1852 and got a job as a porter in a bookbinding store. His salary amounted to about $18.00 a month, and out of this it is said he saved about one-half. In four years Mr. Ferry had enough money to start in the seed business with M. T. Gardner. In 1867 he left Gardner and founded the big seedhouse of Ferry & Company. The new firm progressed rapidly. Mr. Ferry soon became interested in other enterprises and became a director of the First National Bank of Detroit, Union Trust Company and several other corporations. Mr. Ferry was chairman of the Republican State Central Committee for two years and a delegate-at-large to the National Republican Convention which nominated McKinley for President. He was also a candidate for Governor of Michigan, but was unsuccessful.

Victory Horticultural Library - Fostering Historical Research
Seedsmen Hall of Fame - Honoring Horticulturalists
Ferry, Dexter Mason
"He is credited with inventing the "commission box," which is a seed rack for retail display. He was also one of the first to utilize brightly colored seed packets."

American Profile - Celebrating the American Spirit
March 21-27, 2010, Pgs. 4, 10
Stuart Englert, Senior Editor
American Roots
Guaranteed To Grow - Packaging Seeds For Seven Generations Of Gardeners
"With roots dating back to 1856, Ferry-Morse is among the oldest seed companies in the nation. Founded in Detroit by Dexter Mason Ferry, the company is credited with being the first to offer an assortment of individually packaged vegetables and flower seeds to retail stores. By discarding unsold packets at the end of each growing season, the company also was the first to guarantee its seeds would grow. Ferry-Morse has experienced a growth spurt in recent years as more Americans plant vegetable gardens to save money, improve their health and protect the environment."

Dexter Mason Ferry was the son of wagonmaker Joseph Northrop and Lucy Dexter (Mason) Ferry Crippen. He was the husband of Adeline "Addie" Elizabeth (Miller) Ferry. They were married October 1, 1867. Adeline died November 2, 1906.

University of Michigan
Bentley Historical Library
Ferry Family (Dexter Ferry) Papers 1758-1989 (Bulk 1855-1959)
Abstract: A pioneer Detroit, Michigan family, established the Ferry Seed company and other business enterprises, active in civic and cultural affairs. Papers document the family and its business, cultural, political and philanthropic activities.

Obituary
The New York Times
November 12, 1907
Dexter M. Ferry Dead; Head Of Big Seed Firm Is Found Lifeless In Bed
Detroit, Mich.-Nov. 11
FERRY.--Dexter M. Ferry, head of one of the greatest seed firms in the United States which bore his name, and prominent in local business enterprises, was found dead in bed at his home here today. He retired last night in apparently good health, and died from heart disease during the night. Mr. Ferry was born at Lowville, New York August 8, 1833. His boyhood was spent working on a farm and attending the district school in the winter. He went to Rochester in his eighteenth year and obtained employment with a kinsman. Mr. Ferry went to Detroit in 1852 and got a job as a porter in a bookbinding store. His salary amounted to about $18.00 a month, and out of this it is said he saved about one-half. In four years Mr. Ferry had enough money to start in the seed business with M. T. Gardner. In 1867 he left Gardner and founded the big seedhouse of Ferry & Company. The new firm progressed rapidly. Mr. Ferry soon became interested in other enterprises and became a director of the First National Bank of Detroit, Union Trust Company and several other corporations. Mr. Ferry was chairman of the Republican State Central Committee for two years and a delegate-at-large to the National Republican Convention which nominated McKinley for President. He was also a candidate for Governor of Michigan, but was unsuccessful.

Victory Horticultural Library - Fostering Historical Research
Seedsmen Hall of Fame - Honoring Horticulturalists
Ferry, Dexter Mason
"He is credited with inventing the "commission box," which is a seed rack for retail display. He was also one of the first to utilize brightly colored seed packets."

American Profile - Celebrating the American Spirit
March 21-27, 2010, Pgs. 4, 10
Stuart Englert, Senior Editor
American Roots
Guaranteed To Grow - Packaging Seeds For Seven Generations Of Gardeners
"With roots dating back to 1856, Ferry-Morse is among the oldest seed companies in the nation. Founded in Detroit by Dexter Mason Ferry, the company is credited with being the first to offer an assortment of individually packaged vegetables and flower seeds to retail stores. By discarding unsold packets at the end of each growing season, the company also was the first to guarantee its seeds would grow. Ferry-Morse has experienced a growth spurt in recent years as more Americans plant vegetable gardens to save money, improve their health and protect the environment."

Bio by: MaryJane Haight-Eckert