Major John W. McFerran
was born September 15, 1828, in Clermont County, Ohio. He was the architect of his own fortune—was dependent upon himself from childhood. He qualified himself to teach school and followed that occupation for several years. When a young man he ran a threshing machine in times of harvest. He came to West Union in about 1850, and began the study of law under the late Edward P. Evans. He maintained himself by teaching while a law student. He was admitted to the bar May 2, 1853, and began practice in West Union. That same fall he was a candidate for the nomination for prosecuting attorney before the Democratic primary and defeated J. K. Billings, who had had the office but one term, and by all precedents was entitled to his second term. McFerran, however, made an active canvass and being very popular secured the nomination. Before the people, E. M. DeBruin, now of Columbus, Ohio, was his opponent, but McFerran was elected. He was renominated and re-elected for a second term as prosecuting attorney. In the fall of 1857, he determined to contest with Captain Moses J. Patterson for the place of representative to the Legislature. Captain Patterson resided near Winchester. He was highly esteemed by every one and had but one term in the Legislature. McFerran, however, contested the nomination with him and won. McFerran had 679 votes and Patterson, 407. Before the people the Hon. George Collings was the Whig candidate. Mc Ferran had 1626 votes and Collings, 1282. Legislative honors did not please McFerran. He said it was well enough to go to Legislature once, but a man was a fool to go a second time. He declined a second term and Moses J. Patterson succeeded him. McFerran then devoted himself to the practice of law and was making a great success when the war broke out. He could make pleasing and effective arguments before a jury and he carried the old and young farmers of Adams County with him. He was of a fiery temper and disposition. Whatever he under took, he did with great enthusiasm. It was just as natural that he should be consumed by the war fever as that a duck should take to water. When the war broke out, he gave his entire soul to the Union cause. He aided in organizing the 70th O. V. I., and became its major, October 2, 1861. He was the idol of the men of his regiment and was willing to do anything for them. However, he fell a victim to the southern climate and died of a fever at Camp Pickering, near Memphis, Tennessee, October 6, 1862. His body was brought to Cairo, Illinois, and afterwards to West Union, and reinterred among the people who admired and loved him.
He was married to Miss Hannah A. Briggs, June 27, 1858, a most estimable woman, and there were two children of the marriage, Minnie, the wife of Dr. W. K. Coleman, of West Union; John W., who died at the age of four.
In the public offices he occupied, he faithfully and capably discharged their duties. He was public spirited and always ready to aid any worthy and good enterprise. In his private dealings, he was honest and liberal. For his soldiers, he always had kind words and pleasant greetings. There was nothing he would not do for them and they knew it and felt it. He had the respect and esteem of his fellow officers. He was always at his post, always cheerful and uncomplaining and ready to die at any time. He showed his bravery on the bloody field of Shiloh, at Corinth, Chewalla, Holly Springs and Memphis.
He was worthy of the cause he fought for and his patriotic career will be one which his descendants can look back to with pride and it will grow brighter as the years go by. It has been thirty-seven years since he gave his life to his country, but to those who knew him and loved him, and who survive, it seems but yesterday.
There were three officers of the Civil War who lost their lives in the service whom Adams County will always remember, and they were Major McFerran, Samuel E. Clark and Major Philip R. Rothrock.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900