Ferris Forman

Ferris Foreman (August 24, 1808 - February 11, 1901) was a lawyer, politician, and American soldier during the Mexican American War, as well as a Colonel commanding a Volunteer Regiment and the District of Southern California during the American Civil War.

Born in Nichols, Tioga County, New York. In 1836 he was practicing law in Utica, New York. However the next year he was a clerk of the Illinois House of Representatives in Vandalia, Illinois.

He secured an appointment as U.S. Attorney for Illinois, from 1839 to 1841. In 1839, Ferris Foreman prosecuted the case of "The United States versus Gratiot," in a case arising under a lease, by the government of a portion of the lead mines of Galena. On January 11, 1844, Foreman was married, to Lucinda Boothe (died 1880) and they had one daughter, Ann, and a son, Sands William. He was a Democrat member of the Illinois Senate from 1845 to 1846.

During the Mexican American War he raised a company of volunteers in Vandalia, Fayette County, Illinois and was appointed Colonel commanding the 3rd Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. It was composed of ten companies and served in the war from July 1846 to May 1847. His 3rd Regiment with Colonel Foreman in command was attached to the Army of Invasion of General Winfield Scott, and played a part in the siege of Veracruz, and in the march on Mexico City, Col Foreman's 3d Ill fought under General Shields at the battle of Cerro Gordo the 3d and 4th Ill "carried a battery of the enemy's on his extreme left (Santa Anna's),gain the national road and cut off his retreat route" (History of Illinois, Illinois in the Mexican War). For this action he was awarded a cased sword by the State of Illinois. Colonel Foreman was especially commended in the report by General Scott.

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