FERRIN, Elmer V. - 1914

FERRIN, JEFFERIES, WOODALL, HYNDMAN, LODGE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:04:01

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

ELMER V. FERRIN.

Probably no man is better known in Tilden township as a successful farmer and stockraiser than Elmer V. Ferrin, who for many years has been connected with agricultural interests here, founding success upon industry, business ability and enterprise. He was born in Mount Carroll, Illinois, September 21, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Jeffcries) Ferrin, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father went to Illinois at a very early date, making the journey to Chicago with ox teams and settled in the vicinity of Mount Carroll, where he operated a farm until 1880. He then moved to Cherokee county, Iowa, and bought a half section in Tilden township, later adding to this two hundred and eighty acres. This farm he improved and operated until 1893 and then retired from active life, moving into Cherokee, where he resided until his death, which occurred in August, 1898. His wife survived him some years, dying in October, 1909.

Elmer V. Ferrin was reared and educated in Illinois and came with his parents to Cherokee county in 1880. He remained at home until he was twenty one years of age and then purchased a farm in Tilden township, engaging in agricultural pursuits upon that property for three years thereafter. At the end of that time he went to Europe, where he remained for one year, and upon his return he settled in Marcus, where he operated a flour mill for four years. This venture proved unsuccessful. When he disposed of the mill he again turned his attention to farming, renting a property for some time, and in 1910 bought the old homestead. This comprises three hundred and twenty acres on section 30, Tilden township, and Mr. Ferrin has since carried on general farming and stock raising upon the property, having extensive interests along both lines. He makes a specialty of breeding Percheron horses, shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and ships many carloads of stock annually. His farm is well improved and in excellent condition and is accounted one of the most valuable and desirable properties in this vicinity.

In 1891 Mr. Ferrin married Miss Salina Woodall, a daughter of Thomas and Salina Woodall. Mrs. Ferrin passed away in 1892, leaving a son, Delbert S., now twentyone years of age. In March. 1898, Mr. Ferrin was again married, his second union being with Miss Mattie Hyndman, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Lodge) Hyndman, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Orange county, New York. The father came to Cherokee county, this state, in pioneer times and engaged in farming in Marcus township for many years. He died in 1910 and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Marcus township. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrin have five children: Frank, Beatrice, Ruth, Grace, and Velmont.

Mr. Ferrin is connected with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the consistory, and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is one of the present board of township trustees and discharges the duties of this office in a capable and farsighted way. He is a man of resolute will and unflagging energy and as a result of these qualities has gained a place among the substantial business men of the community.