In December 1874, he married Helen Frances Gillespie, whom he met at Oswego, and who taught at the academy in Spencer while he was principal.

[2] The couple had three sons: Carleton Gillespie (1876–1961), Clifford Wendell (1881, died just after three months), and Phelps Fitch (1889–1935).

[3] Ferris served as president of the school until his death, and became so identified with it that he was nicknamed "The Big Rapids Schoolmaster".

[3] During the Panic of 1893, Ferris experienced financial setbacks and his school was on the verge of closing, but several former students loaned him the money to continue.

[5] Over time, it expanded to include several well-regarded departments, among them English, business, pharmacy, civil service, elocution, music, and college preparatory.

[3] During his tenure, several reforms were introduced,[6] including a farm colony for epileptics and the Central Michigan Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

[8] After a sustained period of violence between striking miners and a combination of strikebreakers and supporters of the mine owners, Ferris deployed the National Guard, which stayed in the area for more than a year, an action that provoked confrontations between strikers and troops.

[10] Ferris's successful governorship and his easy to recognize appearance—tall, with a full head of silver-gray hair—led to the nickname the "Good Gray Governor".

[14] In 1924, Ferris was again a delegate to the Democratic National Convention;[15] he was Michigan's favorite son candidate for president, and received 30 votes on the first ballot.