An early founder of the city. His business skill and financil commitment insured the success of Gale's plan for an educational colony.
According to family tradition, he was connected with the underground railroad, hiding slaves in the church belfry and his own home by day, and helping them on their way north by night by concealing them in loads of straw. Silvanus took an active interest in the affairs of Knox College and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 21 years (1837-58) until at the age of 85 he resigned. The motion to accept his resignation was amended so as to order a committee to prepare a resolution expressing the sentiments of the Board. The resolution follows: "Mr. Silvanus Ferris having tendered to this Board the resignation of his seat as member thereof, and the same having been accepted, it is hereby declared as the sense of the Board of Trustees of Knox College, and as a matter of history proper to be spread upon the records of their proceedings, that they recognize in their late associate, one of the earliest, most substantial and most faithful friends of the enterprise which resulted in the founding of Knox College, and that to his liberality and devoted labors the Institution is largely indebted for its present financial prosperity. Entertaining these views, this Board does hereby express their high regard for Mr. Ferris, and an earnest hope that health, peace, and happiness may attend his declining years".
According to family tradition, he was connected with the underground railroad, hiding slaves in the church belfry and his own home by day, and helping them on their way north by night by concealing them in loads of straw. Silvanus took an active interest in the affairs of Knox College and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 21 years (1837-58) until at the age of 85 he resigned. The motion to accept his resignation was amended so as to order a committee to prepare a resolution expressing the sentiments of the Board. The resolution follows: "Mr. Silvanus Ferris having tendered to this Board the resignation of his seat as member thereof, and the same having been accepted, it is hereby declared as the sense of the Board of Trustees of Knox College, and as a matter of history proper to be spread upon the records of their proceedings, that they recognize in their late associate, one of the earliest, most substantial and most faithful friends of the enterprise which resulted in the founding of Knox College, and that to his liberality and devoted labors the Institution is largely indebted for its present financial prosperity. Entertaining these views, this Board does hereby express their high regard for Mr. Ferris, and an earnest hope that health, peace, and happiness may attend his declining years".
An early founder of the city. His business skill and financil commitment insured the success of Gale's plan for an educational colony.
According to family tradition, he was connected with the underground railroad, hiding slaves in the church belfry and his own home by day, and helping them on their way north by night by concealing them in loads of straw. Silvanus took an active interest in the affairs of Knox College and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 21 years (1837-58) until at the age of 85 he resigned. The motion to accept his resignation was amended so as to order a committee to prepare a resolution expressing the sentiments of the Board. The resolution follows: "Mr. Silvanus Ferris having tendered to this Board the resignation of his seat as member thereof, and the same having been accepted, it is hereby declared as the sense of the Board of Trustees of Knox College, and as a matter of history proper to be spread upon the records of their proceedings, that they recognize in their late associate, one of the earliest, most substantial and most faithful friends of the enterprise which resulted in the founding of Knox College, and that to his liberality and devoted labors the Institution is largely indebted for its present financial prosperity. Entertaining these views, this Board does hereby express their high regard for Mr. Ferris, and an earnest hope that health, peace, and happiness may attend his declining years".
According to family tradition, he was connected with the underground railroad, hiding slaves in the church belfry and his own home by day, and helping them on their way north by night by concealing them in loads of straw. Silvanus took an active interest in the affairs of Knox College and was a member of the Board of Trustees for 21 years (1837-58) until at the age of 85 he resigned. The motion to accept his resignation was amended so as to order a committee to prepare a resolution expressing the sentiments of the Board. The resolution follows: "Mr. Silvanus Ferris having tendered to this Board the resignation of his seat as member thereof, and the same having been accepted, it is hereby declared as the sense of the Board of Trustees of Knox College, and as a matter of history proper to be spread upon the records of their proceedings, that they recognize in their late associate, one of the earliest, most substantial and most faithful friends of the enterprise which resulted in the founding of Knox College, and that to his liberality and devoted labors the Institution is largely indebted for its present financial prosperity. Entertaining these views, this Board does hereby express their high regard for Mr. Ferris, and an earnest hope that health, peace, and happiness may attend his declining years".
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