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Silvanus Ferris
Birth 	5 Mar 1773
Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
Death 	13 Jun 1861 (aged 88)
Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA
Burial 	
Hope Cemetery
Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA
Memorial ID 	5636971 · View Source

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".

Family Members
Parents

    Sylvanus Ferris
    1737–1824

    Mary Mead Ferris
    1744–1822

Spouses

    Sarah Maria Olmsted Ferris
    1779–1845 (m. 1798)

    Sarah Warner Stevens Ferris
    1800–1881 (m. 1846)

Siblings

    Sarah Ferris Morgan
    unknown–1857

    Henry Ferris
    1763–1808

    Mary Ann Ferris Hayes
    1766–1840

    Hannah Ferris Raymond
    1768–1846

    Gideon Ferris
    1780–1854

Children

    Silvanus Western Ferris
    1799–1887

    Nathan Olmsted Ferris
    1801–1850

    Nathan Olmsted Ferris
    1801–1850

    Timothy Harvey Ferris
    1805–1891

    William Mead Ferris
    1807–1883

    Henry Ferris
    1809–1891

    Laura Ferris
    1811–1831

    Harriet Newell Ferris Bunce
    1816–1851

    George Washington Gale Ferris
    1818–1895

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