After completing college, he began working for his father, first as treasurer for the National Pin Company and then, in 1900, at a position at
D.M. Ferry & Co. In 1901, he was elected a director of the firm. In 1905, he became a director of the Standard Accident Insurance Company. In 1907, on the death of his father, the Ferry was appointed the executor of his estate. In 1900, Ferry was elected to the
Michigan State House of Representatives as a representative from
Wayne County, and served for two terms through 1904. He was president of the
Michigan State Board of Education from 1906 through 1912. In 1917, just before the United States joined in
World War I, Ferry joined the Army Quartermaster's Reserve Corps as a captain. He was later ordered to active duty at
Fort Sam Houston and then to the Motor Convoy Service in
Chicago. Ferry was honorably discharged in March 1919 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Ferry was president of Standard Accident Insurance Company, vice-president of the Standard Insurance Company, and president of the Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Co. He was director of the First National Savings Bank of Detroit, the Wayne County Savings Bank, the Security Trust Company of Detroit, and Michigan Savings Bank. == Personal life ==