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MRS NELSON FERRIS IS 100 YEARS OLD
The South Bend Tribune
March 20, 1912, page 18
Mishawaka Woman In Good Health Though Centenarian
A Reception is Given
Mrs W E Roe Entertains Over 100 Ladies Complimentry To Grandmother---Congradulations Received
Mrs Nelson Ferris, of 109 East Fourth Street, Mishawaka, possibly the oldest woman in St Joseph
County, if not in the midwest is 100 years old today. She is the widow of the late Nelson Ferris, sheriff of this county in the early sixties, and one of the best known women in this vacinity.
In celebration of the anniversary, Mrs Walter E Roe, of 109 East Fourth Street, granddaughter of
Mrs Ferris, gave Mrs Ferris a reception this afternoon from 2 to 6, about 125 ladies being present from Mishawaka, South Bend, Elkhart, Laporte and Chicago. Mrs Ferris thoroughly enjoyed the
pleasant event in which she was showered with congradulations during the afternoon. Music
was contributed by a trio composed of Miss Violet Shay, Mishawaka, violinist; Miss Nellie
Wollman, South Bend, cellest; and Miss Mildred Babcock, South Bend, pianist. Refreshments
were served.
Among those from out of the city attending the reception were Mrs A L Osborne and son
Lawrence Osborne, daughter and grandson of Mrs Ferris, Laporte; Mrs J K Gore, daughter of
Mrs Ferris, Elkhart; Mrs C F Tuttle and daughter Mrs Reynolds of Chicago; Mrs Sarah Stephens,
Miss Stephens, Mrs W L Gilmore, Mrs Mary E Nichols, Mrs Inez H Jay, Elkhart; and many from
South Bend.
BORN IN WATERTOWN, NY
Mrs Ferris was formerly Miss Sarah Weeks. She was born in Watertown NY March 20, 1812, the same year that war with England was declared and four years before Indiana was admitted to statehood. She was then one of six children and the only one surviving. One sister lived to be 90 years old and all the others lived to be 70.
She came here in 1843, and has lived in this vacinity for 69 years. She was married January 1,
1840 to Nelson Ferris, who died October __, 1899. She made the trip to Mishawaka by the great
lakes to Detroit, Mich., and from there to this city on the overland trail.
Mrs Ferris has two daughters, Mrs A L Osborne of Laporte, and Mrs J K Gore of Elkhart, two
grandchildren, Mrs W E Roe of Mishawaka; and Lawrence Osborne of Laporte.
She is in what might be termed perfect health, having no organic disease, and is in possession
of nearly all her faculties. Her brain is clear and her memory excellent and she is abreast
of the times, wanting to know all the political and general news of the day. She remembers all
the Presidents of her younger days to the present time. She is a great admirer of Theodore
Roosevelt and likes to talk about him. She has seen this great country improve; has seen
the old trail give way to railroads, the old wagon to street cars, the sailboats to fast
steam ships, and has seen South Bend and Mishawaka grow from small towns or villages into
large prosperous manufacturing cities.
Mrs Ferris has been a member of St Paul's Episcopal Church ever since she came to Mishawaka.
POSES FOR PICTURE ON BIRTHDAY
Mrs Ferris sat for a photograph in her home when she celebrated her 99th birthday. Mrs Ferris
dresses herself and enjoys life like a person much younger. Jovial in spirit, she enjoys a
good laugh, and her laughter is often heard about the house. It is a real pleasure to see her smile. A representative of the Tribune called on Mrs Ferris Sunday and she gave him a cordial greeting. She said that several years ago a relative came to see her and expected to find her a "dried up old woman", and then she gave a mirthful laugh, one that would do credit to a woman of 50. She is far from being a "dried up old woman" , and the indications are that she will celebrate many more birthdays. She modestly said that people had been reading about her in the papers for so long they would get tired of it.
Mrs Ferris is a remarkable woman, in age, in vitality, and in memory. She is what might be
termed 100 years young in spirit.
OBITUARY
South Bend Tribune
December 2, 1912
MRS NELSON FERRIS AGED 100 IS DEAD
Centenarian Passes Away at Home of Granddaughter
Was Remarkable Woman
Born in Watertown, NY in 1812--Lived in this Vacinity nearly 70 years--Ill but Five Days and Bed
Fast Three.
Mrs Nelson Weeks Ferris, aged over 100 years, possibly the oldest woman in St Joseph County, and
one of the oldest in the United States died this morning at 7 o'clock. Death came peacefully
at the home of her grand daughter, Mrs Walter E Roe, 913 Second Street, as a result of old age.
She was ill but four days and bedfast but three days. She retained nearly all of her faculties
up to the time of her last illness. On March 20 last, she celebrated her 100th birthday
anniversary and a reception was given for her by her grand daughter, Mrs Roe. The aged woman
thoroughly enjoyed the affair and received 114 ladies from this city, South Bend, Elkhart,
Chicago and Indianapolis.
She has seen this great country improve, has seen the old trail give way to railroads, the old
wagons to street cars, and the sail boats to fast steamships, and has seen South Bend and
Mishawaka grow from small towns or villages into large prosperous manufacturing cities.
Mrs Ferris has been a member of St Paul's Episcopal Church ever since she came to Mishawaka.
Mrs Ferris was formerly Miss Sarah Weeks. She was born in Watertown, NY, March 20, 1812, the
same year that war with England was declared and four years before Indiana was admitted to
statehood. She was then one of a family of six children and is the last one to pass away.
One sister lived to be 90 years old and all the others lived to be 70.
She came here in 1842 and had lived in this vacinity for 69 years. She was married January 1,
1840, to the late Nelson Ferris. They made the trip to Mishawaka via the great lakes to Detroit,
Mich., and from there to this city on the overland trail. In 1890, Mr and Mrs Ferris celebrated
their golden wedding anniversary. Mr Ferris passed away on October 26, 1899. Mrs Ferris had
lived in Mishawaka and South Bend the past 69 years.
Four children were born to them and but two daughters survive, Mrs James K Gore, of Elkhart, and
Mrs Andrew L Osborne, Jr., of Laporte.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed but it will be held from the house Wednesday afternoon.
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