Listed as a Junior, Galesburg High School, 1899.
Jim-I am not sure of all the places where Grant and Mabel lived, but Mildred was born in Delong, then Marie born in Fulton Co, so I would assume they moved and farmed there for awhile. Loreta, Elsie, and Garnet were born in Warren Co, (1910 census in Warren Co IL) so they must have moved again and I am sure Grandpa farmed there. Grant is listed in a Prairie Farmer's Reliable Directory of Farmers and Breeders, Warren and Henderson Counties, Illinois; undated but apparently 1918-19, because we know he was living in Orange Township, Knox Co in 1920 when their infant daughter died there. It lists Grant, Mabel, and the girls, Mildred, Marie, Loretta, Elsie and Garnet. Their address was RFD 6, Galesburg, but they lived on the Kelly farm, Section 35, 90 acres owned by Mrs. J. N. Townsend – this was in Warren County. This same directory says Grant owned a Ford automobile, but he is not listed as an owner of a tractor. They moved back to Delong (Orange Township) in 1919-20. Based on copies of farm leases I possess, I know Grant leased "the Doyle one hundred fifty four and a quarter acres, Section Twenty, Orange Township", Delong, Knox County IL from March 1, 1920 to March 1, 1925. He was listed as a farmer on his infant daughter's death certificate January 29, 1920. He may have leased this land longer, but I do not have any records of it. [According to Grandpa's obituary in The Galesburg Register Mail, June 13, 1957, he farmed northwest of Galesburg for 12 years and at Delong for 23 years. He later was employed by the Hutchcroft Implement Store in Galesburg and Goff Implement Store in Knoxville.](Jim - My recollections of Grandpa and Grandma Ferris are vivid, just like it was yesterday. Grandpa had retired from farming and they lived in the house on South Broad St. in Knoxville IL. Dad and Mom would round up us kids and we would go to Knoxville for Sunday dinner (that is the noon meal for you city folks who think otherwise) and when Grandma Ferris fixed Sunday dinner, it was a feast. I have a bowl of Grandma Ferris's and I can visualize the amount of mashed potatoes or vegetables it held in its lifetime. I can see Grandpa Ferris sitting in his rocker in the living room; always smiling, though quiet. 2001 – I recently was given a wood rocking chair that sat on the front porch of the Grandfolk's house in Knoxville. My cousin Connie (Way) Gray gave it to me – she has had it since apparently Grandma moved from the house after Grandpa's death. The rocking chair has ‘Jim' carved into one armrest. I do not remember doing this but it had to be done prior to 1957 when Grandpa died. Connie said she thought I should have it – thanks, Connie, I will cherish it!