Dewitt C. B. Ferris (August 8, 1830-May 20, 1897)
Annie Okey Covel (1841-1924)
He was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, New York. His parents were Warren Ferris and Catherine Murray. Anne Covel was born in England, daughter of John Covell and Mary Okey. Dewitt and Anne Married on July 5, 1858 and set up residence on a farm in the town of Royalton, Niagara County, NY. A short history of his life can be found in the newspaper obituary of 1897. Dewitt had seven brothers and six sisters. He and his wife had two sons and two daughters. They were George W. Ferris, 1859 to 1928 , married to Lomie May Lewis; Luilla M. Ferris, 1861-1932, married to Orin Enos; Emma May Ferris; and Francis A. Ferris, married to Elizabeth Reisner.
Luilla Ferris and Orin Enos had two sons and two daughters, Dewitt, Ford, Florence, and Lillian.
Francis A. Ferris and Elizabeth Reisner had four sons and a daughter. They were Charles, George, Frank, Dewitt, and Mary Anne. Mary Anne married Elton Jonas in New York and moved to California where they lived their final years.
Left: Dewitt C. B. Ferris, 1882
Right: Anne Okey Covel, 1896
Obituary of Dewitt C. B. Ferris from an unknown newspaper: "Dewitt C. Ferris was born in Cherry Valley, N.Y., August 8th, 1830, and died May 20th, 1897, at his home in Royalton, N.Y., after an illness of only a few hours. As he finished the days toil, and was about to open the door of his dwelling, he received a severe shock of paralysis, from which he never regained conciousness.
He was married to Anne D. Covell of Millport, N.Y. on July 5th , 1858. Four children blessed this union, George W., Luilla M., Emma, and Francis Ferris.
Converted early in life, brother Ferris walked with God for nearly thirty five years; most of this time he was a member of the United Brethern Church of Rapids, N.Y. For the past 31 years he has been a resident of Royalton, N.Y. During the last (unreadable) years most of this time, brother Ferris was a colabourer in the Masters vineyard with the members of the Royalton Church, to which place he transferred his church membership, because he believed his presence and influence could be used there by his Master for the greatest good.
He was a trustee, a member of the Board of Stewarts, a class leader, and Sunday School teacher, where his untiring efforts for good were always felt. His love for his church was manifest in the regularity of his attendance on the means of grace. His idea was, that conditions and circumstances that would not prevent him from going out into the town to attend any matter of business, should not prevent him from attending his church services. In the absence of a pastor on the charge, brother Ferris never neglected keeping up the prayer-meetings, even when there were only a few to help or encourage. In his testimony he always witnessed to the saving and helping power of God. His closing prayer was "pray that I with you may ever be found faithful, and that one day we may bask in the sunlight of the son of God, there to meet, to part no more."
The preparation that made him ready was not repentance, at the "eleventh hour", but the life of years. He was a true friend, a loyal citizen, an effectionate husband and father, and devout Christian. He was loved and admired by all for his consistent Godly life, and died leaving his descendants the priceless heritage of a stainless name. And although his bereaved family no longer see his beloved presence , nor hear the words of loving counsel, yet they feel the influence of the life they knew so well, and have in the recollection of their dear one a source of comfort and hope.
Two brothers, a sister, four children, and a wife with whom he had lived 39 years, mourn his departure.
The funeral service was conducted by his pastor, at the South Royalton M.E. Church, who preached the funeral sermon from the text Job 19.25, and 2 Thes. 2.17, which texts were generally the basis of his remarks to revival and other meetings.
His body was taken for interment to the cemetery at Dysinger, N.Y., there to sleep in sweet repose until the sounding of the trumpet or the resurrection morn."