Alvah Charles Ferrin, a retired contractor and builder of Concord, who served in the United States Navy during the Civil War, was born in Plymouth, N.H., August 13, 1835, son of Daniel E. and Mary Jane (Durgin) Ferrin. His father was a native of Hebron, N.H.; and his mother was born in Buxton, Me. On the father’s side he is a descendant of Revolutionary patriots. His education, which was begun in the public schools of Lowell, Mass., where 1841, was completed when he was about sixteen years old in Hebron, N.H., to which they went in 1842. He started in life as a farmer. After following that occupation for a short time, he went, in 1853, to Boston, Mass., where he obtained employment as an expressman. Five years later he returned to his native State, and, settling in Concord, learned the mason’s trade. At this he worked as a journeyman until he became a member of the firm of Gately & Ferrin, contractors and builders, with whom he was associated until he undertook to serve in the Civil War. This event occurred August 19, 1864, when he entered the United States Navy at Portsmouth, N.H. In January, 1865, he sailed from the Kittery navy yard on board the United States steamer “Albatross” for Mobile Bay, where the vessel joined the West Gulf squadron, under the command of Commodore Thatcher, and subsequently cruised therewith until the close of the war. After he was mustered out at Charlestown, Mass., he returned home. In 1867 he formed a partnership with R. M. Ordway, under the firm name of Ordway & Ferrin. This firm carried on a large and prosperous business as masons and contractors until the death of Mr. Ordway, which occurred in 1885. Mr. Ferrin had been in business alone for about two years after that event when he formed, with D. C. Woodman, a copartnership that lasted for two years. He subsequently remained in business until September, 1895, at which time he relinquished active pursuits. He is now living in retirement in Concord. During his busy career he erected some of the finest buildings now standing in this city and vicinity, which are excellent testimony of his skill as a master builder.
On May 14, 1859, Mr. Ferrin was united in marriage with Hannah McDuffee, a native of Candia, N.H. Their only child died some time ago. In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Ferrin has reached the thirty-second degree. He is connected with Eureka Lodge, No. 70; Trinity Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, Mount Horeb Commandery, Knights Templar; and with Edward A. Raymond Consistory of Nashua. He is also a member of Rumford Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F., and Tohanto Encampment; and a comrade of E. E. Sturtevant Post, No. 2, G. A. R. In politics Mr. Ferrin is a Republican.