JAMES SIMMON AND ANNA ELIZABETH TESTER FERRIS

James Simmon Ferris was born in September of 1845 in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Francis and Diana Vines Ferris.  James married Anna Elizabeth Tester in July 26, 1865 in Walsingham, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Henry and Emily Bristow Tester.  Anna was born March 27, 1850 near Leamington,Ontario, Canada. Her brothers and sisters were Henry (Harry), who died in Canada; Emily Tester Bastedo, George, William, Tom, Frank and Charles Tester; her sisters, Eliza Jane Tester Wingrove and Mary Isobel Tester Manery who stayed in Canada.

James, Anna and their family came to the United States in 1883 from Canada. Their children were:

1. Clara Ferris was born in Canada around 1867. She married Nelson Woolman. Clara died October 23, 1910 in Brandon, Oakland County, Michigan

2. Jesse Henry Ferris was born on February 13, 1969 in Walsingham, Ontario, Canada. Jesse married Bertha Gardi on May 30, 1902. Jesse owned and operated the family farm after his parents passed away. Jesse died on April 9, 1943 and is buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

3. Euphemia “Adelle” Ferris was born February 6, 1879 in Essex County, Mersea, Canada. She married Francis Webb. Adelle died on December 9, 1937 and Francis died on October 19, 1947, they are both buried in Lakefield Township Cemetery.

4. Ethel Mae Ferris was born April 6, 1883 in Essex County,  Mersea, Canada. She married Albert G. Mayer on April 16, 1899. Ethel died on October 2, 1954 and Albert died on June 24, 1948, they are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

James and Anna lived on a 40 acre farm in Section 14 on the east side of Merrill Road between Roosevelt and Lakefield Roads. Their neighbors in 1896 were Thomas Tester, Abner Graham, Dan Morden, Gilbert Bastedo, William Button, and Joseph Rittenour.

James served the  Lakefield Township following offices:

Constable in 1889

Highway Overseer - Road District #6 in 1889, 1892 and 1893 

Treasurer 1890

Constable 1890

Drain Commissioner 1892

Constable 1892

and Inspector, Board of Elections on April 4, 1898.

Anna Elizabeth died on April 12, 1909 and James died on February 16, 1916. They are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: family record of Ethel Mae Webb; 1896 and 1916 Lakefield Plat maps; Lakefield Township Records; James amd Anna Ferris's marriage record; Ethel and Jesse Ferris's birth records; James Ferris death record and obituary; Anna Tester Ferris death record; Ethel Mayer's obituary, Jesse H. Ferris and Adelle Webb's Canadian birth record, death records and obituary and Clara Woolman's death record; Find A Grave