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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [239-240]

           HARRY D. FERRIS, is keeper of the United States Life-Saving
        Station at Point aux Barques.  The post was established in 1876,
        and is situated on the point of the Huron Peninsula.  The first
        keeper, CAPT. WILLIAM CROUCH, remained in charge from its found-
        ing until the spring of 1877, and was succeeded by CAPT. CHARLES
        McDONALD.  In the fall of 1878 CAPT. J. G. KIAH assumed control
        and continued to manage the affairs of the station until June,
        1880.  On the 23d of April, during his administration, a crew of
        six men lost their lives while attempting the rescue of the "J. H.
        McGruder."  Their boat capsized in the breakers and the crew per-
        ished from cold, CAPTAIN KIAH being the only one saved.  Under his
        management it is claimed that 40 persons were rescued from the pro-
        peller "Bertschey."  CAPTAIN GILL succeeded to the position and re-
        mained 15 months, vacating the post in the month of October.
        CAPTAIN MORGAN succeeded CAPTAIN GILL, and he was succeeded, after
        conducting the affairs of the station two years, by the present
        keeper.
           The conductors of the life-saving stations are subjected to
        careful examination and must be qualified in common educational
        branches.  The duties of the patrolmen of the various districts are
        uniform and identical.  Two men are always on the patrol from each
        station, one moving to the right and one to the left, proceeding to
        the extremity of their routes. Each man carries a lime detector on
        his shoulder like a soldier's haversack. The instrument has a dial
        of paper similar to that of a watch, which is pierced by a key at
        the end of his beat, and also a signal light to show that aid is at
        hand. The station is equipped with a life and surf boat, and a
        mortar and cannon. The latter are for the purpose of firing ropes
        over the wrecks when needed, or in saving life. The life-boat is so
        constructed that it will bail and adjust itself if capsized and
        filled with water. The force includes eight men. The most perilous
        time of the year is in the month of November, because of the cold,
        the gales not being the chief danger.
           MR. FERRIS was born Aug. 1, 1855, at Lockport, N.Y., and is the
        son of RENSSELAER and MARIA C. (WHEELER) FERRIS, both of whom are
        living at Lockport. He began life as a sailor in 18—, in which he
        continued until 1874, when he went to Alpena and engaged in fish-
        ing. He went thence in 1878 to District No. 9, on Thunder Bay
        Island, and entered the life-saving service. His next transfer was
        to Sand Beach, and spent nearly two seasons, coming thence in Sep-
        tember, 1883, to District No. 10, Life-Saving Service, at Point aux
        Barques.
           MR. FERRIS was married Dec. 18, 1883, to MARY FRANK, daughter of
        WILLIAM and CATHERINE (DOERR) FRANK.  The parents reside in Ubly,
        Huron County.

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