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BENJAMIN B. FERRELL.
It is a safe presumption that Benjamin B. Ferrell, a well-known agriculturist of Union county, who is also identifled with some of Anna's leading business interests, is an example of self-made manhood that is worthy of the most persistent and conseientious 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. From a lad with but few advantages and only humble prospects his rise has incessantly been in the ascendancy. Benjamin B. Ferrell was borh 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
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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.