It is a safe presumption that Benjamin B. Ferrell, a well-known
agriculturist of Union county, who is also identified with some of Anna's
leading business interests, is an example of self-made manhood that is
worthy of the most persistent and conscientious emulation. A native of this
county, Mr. Ferrell from the time of his arrival at maturity has marked his
career with unceasing toil and honorable occupation and transactions. Prom a
lad with but few advantages and only humble prospects his rise has
incessantly been in the ascendancy. Benjamin B. Ferrell was born in Union
county, Illinois, in 1872, and is a son of William and Mary C. (Tinsley)
Ferrell, the former a native of Tennessee who came to Union county in 1864,
and the latter born here.
Mr. Ferrell attended the district schools of Union county as a youth, but
most of his education was secured in the school of hard work, as he was
expected to do a full share of work on his father's farm. Reared to
agricultural pursuits, at the age of fifteen years he began farming on his
own account, sharing crops until he was able to purchase twenty-two acres of
land in 1905, on which he is carrying on gardening and truck farming, and he
is now the owner of the old homestead farm of three hundred and sixty acres,
a wheat and grain farm which is in a fine state of cultivation and yields
banner crops. Recently Mr. Ferrell has paid much attention to the
cultivation of strawberry plants, and he is gradually building up an
excellent business in this line, his product having been brought to a high
state of excellence through much study and constant experiment. Although he
had but a meager education when he started out in life, close observation
and self-teaching have made him a well-informed man, and he is fully abreast
of the times in all the live topics of the day. He is a stockholder in the
Anna Creamery. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Ferrell has been active in the
ranks of his party, and has served as street commissioner for two years, a
position which he ably fills at the present time. His fraternal connections
are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows.
On November 24, 1895, Mr. Ferrell was united in marriage with Miss Gusta
Jane Turner, who was born in Union county, daughter of Perry P. Turner, one
of the old settlers of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell have become the
parents of three children: Dorsie L., Bessie B. and Benjamin H., all
residing at home.
Extracted 13 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 3, pages 1527-1528.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
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Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
