ORRIS SANFORD FERRY

Background

Orris Sanford Ferry was born in Bethel, Connecticut, the son of Starr and Esther (Blackman) Ferry. A career in the business of his father, a substantial hat-manufacturer, had been contemplated for him, but after he had served a brief apprenticeship, it became apparent that his tastes lay elsewhere.

Education

With his father’s permission, he withdrew from the business to prepare for college.

A graduate of Yale College in the class of 1844, he achieved especial distinction in literary and forensic activities.

Career

During his last term in the Senate he was handicapped by a progressive spinal disease. He died on November 21, 1875, still in the prime of life.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Speech of Hon. O.S. Ferry, of Conn., delivered in the House of representatives, January 24, 1861

    (This reproduction was printed from a digital file created...)

  • Impartial suffrage: Speech of Orris S. Ferry, of Connecticut, in the Senate of the United States, February 4, 1869, on the Constitutional amendment imposing impartial suffrage

Religion

Save for a period of youthful skepticism he had been a devout Christian throughout his life. A leading member of the First Congregational Church of Norwalk, once he prepared and delivered a series of lectures on the validity of the Christian revelation.

Membership

He was a leading member of the First Congregational Church of Norwalk.

Connections

Father:

Starr Ferry

Mother:

Esther (Blackman) Ferry

Wife:

Charlotte Bissell