Joseph Kundek, OSB and was named after the Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

[4] The town was settled by mostly German-speaking people from central Europe.

Just prior to World War II the Civilian Conservation Corps created the Ferdinand State Forest.

The Monastery Immaculate Conception and Dr. Alois Wollenmann House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[10] As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 2,157 people, 823 households, and 566 families residing in the town.

There were 866 housing units at an average density of 381.5 per square mile (147.3/km2).

27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.