THOMAS H. FERRY, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Pleasant Plains, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, May 3, 1818, son of Hugh and Fannie Ferry; father a native of Vermont, and mother of Connecticut. They were married in St. Lawrence county about 1812. By this union there were twelve children, five of whom lived to be adults, three of whom are living at the present time, viz: Henry, Louis, of Pleasant Plains, and Thomas H. In 1851, emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, and located in Island Grove township, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred July, 1864; mother died November, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Ferry were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ferry was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1844, married Miss Maria Lamphin. She was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 15, 1818. There were four children, three sons and one daughter, one of which is living, Orl E. Mrs. Mariah Ferry died in 1856. He again married Loreita Perrine, a daughter of Parley Perrine, of Royalston, Vermont. She was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, September 16, 1825. The fruits of this marriage was three children, two of whom are living, George P. and John T. In September, 1844, left his home in St. Lawrence county, New York, with teams, camping out, and made their journey in thirty days, arriving in Sangamon county, where he rented land for a few years. In 1849, he purchased land in Cartwright township where he has resided since. Mr. Ferry has a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, valued at fifty dollars per acre; raises one hundred and ten acres of corn; turns out one hundred head hogs and two car loads cattle yearly. Mr. Ferry came to the county when he was a young man. His only capital was a strong and powerful arm and a good will, and by hard work and good judgment has accumulated a fine property and home. Mr. and Mrs. Ferry are members of the Baptist Church.