"Portrait and biographical album of Coles County, Illinois"
  
OSEPH M. FERGUSON is one of the prominent farmers and stock-growers of Pleasant Grove Township, and an honorable representative of one of the pioneer families of Illinois. He was born July 17, 1825, in Bradford County, Pa., and is the son of Stephen and Polly Ann (Atwood) Ferguson. His paternal grandfather, likewise Stephen Ferguson, was a native of England, and a member of the British army. He emigrated from the mother country at an early day, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Foster, who came from one of the Eastern States. His maternal grandfather, Myron Atwood, was a native of Wales, and served as a teamster in the Revolutionary War. His marriage took place in this country.
Stephen Ferguson, the father of our subject, passed his boyhood and youth on his father’s farm in Pennsylvania. His marriage to Miss Polly Ann Atwood took place there. She was likewise a native of that State. In 1836 he moved to Illinois, and settled in Coles County. He was an active, enterprising man, and carried on a large and successful business here during the remainder of his life. He was endowed with excellent mental abilities, possessed a vigorous physique, and lived to the advanced age of eighty years. His death occurred July 5, 1868. His widow survived him ten years, and died Feb. 19, 1878, at the age of eighty-three. They were actively interested in promoting the cause of religion on the Western frontier, and were prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Three children have been born to them, whose names are as follows: William, a resident of Washington Territory; Joseph M., and Myron, deceased.
Joseph Ferguson was eleven years of age when his family settled in Illinois. He was reared on his father’s farm, and gained much practical experience in assisting in the various branches of farm labor. He also attended school, making good use of the limited advantages afforded in the pioneer days. In 1849 he married Miss Phoebe Ann Brown, a native of Kentucky. Their married life was of short duration. She died within two years, leaving two children, Mary M. and Stephen, both of whom are deceased. On the 9th of March, 1852, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Sarah Alexander. Mrs. Ferguson was born May 30, 1832, in Coles County, and is the daughter of Robert and Jemima (Howard) Alexander. Robert Alexander was a native of Hardin County, Ky. His wife was likewise a native of that State, and their marriage took place there. They came to Illinois in the pioneer days and settled in Coles County in 1831, making their home here until 1854, and then moved to Sullivan County, Mo., where Mr. Ferguson’s death occurred in the autumn of the same year. His widow died Nov. 21, 1878. They had a family of ten children born to them, all of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Ferguson is the eldest child.
Mr. Ferguson located on his present farm in 1858, and in the meantime has given his attention exclusively to farming and stock-growing. He owns 170 acres of valuable land, and has given 200 acres to his children. Eleven children were born to him, only six of whom are now living, as follows: William A., Clarence A.; Clarissa, the wife of Hugh McFadden; Ettie, the wife of Charles Landers; Alice and Joseph W.
In early life Mr. Ferguson was a Whig, but became a Republican after the organization of that party. He does not aspire to political preferment, but is interested in educational affairs and has served as School Director. He is also active in promoting the cause of religion, and for twenty-five years has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Return To Contents
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated without consent.
All rights reserved. Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited.
The copyright (s) on this page must appear on all copied and/or printed material.

© 2024 by Coles County Administrator.