Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 1. Death of Mrs. William M. Ferry. ------------------------------- Our readers have doubtless ere this heard the sad tidings of the death of Mrs. WILLIAM M. FERRY. Her loss is deeply felt, and the funeral on Sun- day, Jan. 1st, was largely attended -- hundreds being unable to obtain even standing room in the church. We have not room to publish a full account of the services, but condense from the report of the Grand Haven Herald, the following sketch of her life, written by her pastor, Rev. J. M. Cross: Mrs. AMANDA FERRY, before her marriage, Miss AMANDA WHITE, was born in Whately, Mass., on the 20th day of August, 1797. About the year 1821 she publicly pro- fessed her faith in Christ, and united with the church. On the 8th day of July, 1823, she was joined in marriage with the Rev. Wm. M. FERRY, and immediately after, left her native State with her husband to en- gage with him in missionary work among the Indians at Mackinaw, where he had been laboring the previous year. For 12 years they labored together in that great and glorious work. In the year 1834, the family removed to Grand Haven, being the first white family that settled in Ottawa county. From that date until the time of her death, this was her permanent home. Here she spent her best days, and here exerted her best influ- ence. Twice during her latter years the hand of death was laid upon dear ones of her own home. A beloved son fell on the bat- tle field while bravely fighting for his coun- try. And just three years to a day previ- ous to her own death, her husband closed his earthly toils, and entered into the joy of his Lord. Mrs. Ferry was endowed by her Maker with strong mental powers, an evenly balanced mind, and it would be difficult to say, per- haps, which was the most prominent - her strength of intellect, power of will, or depth of affection. She had combined with these a strong physical constitution, and a happy temperament. Such endowments, when properly guided, give firmness and decision of character, evenness of disposition, clear- ness of judgement, perseverance in labor, and wealth or generous sympathy, all of which Mrs. F. possessed in an eminent degree. In early life she enjoyed ample opportu- nities for religious instruction and literary culture. Blessed with a pious parentage, from infancy she was familiar with the words of Jesus, bowed daily with loved ones around the family altar, revered the Sabbath, and learned to prize the privileges of the sanctuary. In her literary training, she was peculi- arly fortunate in being placed under the in- struction and guidance of eminent and ap- proved teachers. It may be of interest to state in this connection, that she was an in- timate friend and schoolmate of MARY LYON, who, afterwards did so much for the cause of female education in this country. When Mrs. FERRY left the schools, to en- ter upon the toils of active life, - to assume the cares of a family, and to endure the pri- vations and hardships of a western home, she did not quench her early thirst for knowledge, nor suffer her scholastic attain- ments to become dim through neglect. During all these years of toil and anxious care, she found time for intellectual pur- suits. She studied the best authors, and read extensively the leading periodicals of the times, carefully noting the prominent events transpiring both in her own coun- try and the countries of the old world. These multifarious readings, which were held fast in the firm grasp of a strong memory, served greatly to enliven and add a charm to her social intercourse. Added to her strong mental powers, and literary attainments and culture, was her faith in the Redeemer of the world. Her type of piety was that of the "beloved dis- ciple," rather than that of the bold and im- pulsive Peter. Her love to Christ filled her heart, and from a full fountain, was quietly poured into her outer and daily life, finding expression in devotions, example, deeds of charity, and words of encourage- ment and counsel. She would not boast of her spiritual attainments, nor would she be egotistical; for all her powers and at- tainments, she traced up to the everlasting love which planned them before the worlds were made. She looked up to Jehovah as a Sovereign, and trembled before Him. She bowed with an awe at the foot of the throne, which, resting on its own strength, is firm, changeless and unmoveable. She repeated with marked reverence the name of her Lord and Saviour, and walked softly before the God who knows the secret pur- poses of the heart. There is something exceedingly beau- tiful in the marriage relation, when sancti- fied by the religion of Christ. Forty-seven years ago the Rev. Wm. M. FERRY and Miss AMANDA WHITE were joined in holy wed- lock. Together they prayed, together they fought life's battles and won life's victo- ries. For a season they were separated. On Saturday last, through the loving kind- ness of their God, they met again. And though they neither marry nor are given in marriage in that world, yet they were made one in Christ, and it must be that the mem- ories of earth, will effect their converse and communion there. One brief hour, and all that was mortal of the two will sleep in the same grave and be one dust until the res- urrection morn. Thrice, in different ways, united. ===========================================================================