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 YRON J. FERGUSON, deceased. The subject of the following narrative was a native
of Bradford County, Pa., born May. 7,
1828, and the youngest son of Stephen and
Mary (Atwood) Ferguson, who were born in the
same county. He was reared on a farm and educated principally in the common schools. When
he was ten years of age his parents removed from
the Keystone State to Illinois, settling on a farm in
Pleasant Grove Township, this county, where they
spent their declining years. Our subject was reared as a farmer’s boy, and after reaching his majority was seized with the California gold fever which, in 1850, was attracting many young men from the East to the Pacific Slope. Young Ferguson joined the caravan moving westward, and after reaching California engaged in mining, in which he was fairly successful. After some years he recrossed the Father of Waters and engaged in farming on the old homestead. The mountain air had greatly benefited his health, and he entered with vigor upon the duties which lay before him, having in view the establishment of a home and domestic ties. Soon after his return he was married, Dec. 20, 1853, to Miss Martha G., the youngest child of William L. and Catherine (Kellar) Williams. Her parents were natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, but after their marriage took up their abode in Kentucky, whence they removed to Illinois, locating in this county in the pioneer days. Their daughter, Martha G., was born April 24, 1835. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson continued on the old homestead for a period of thirteen years, and then Myron J. put up a dwelling for himself and family near by, and practically breaking loose from the active labors of the farm, began to deal in stock, and as a natural consequence required additional land. At the end of fifteen years, during which he had been remarkably prosperous, he found himself the owner of about 1,000 acres. This comprised a valuable and fertile tract and the large fields were alive with the finest of stock, embracing horses, cattle and hogs. In 1872, however, in order to carry on the education of his children he retired from the farm and moved to Mattoon. He had been already somewhat interested in business there, but continued the supervision of his farm and dealt in stock until failing health compelled him to set aside worldly interests. His death occurred on the 24th of May, 1876. He had purchased a fine residence property in Mattoon where his widow now resides, and is remembered as a wide-awake and enterprising citizen who contributed his full quota toward developing the resources of his adopted county. His straightforward business methods had secured him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and his genuine kindness of heart drew around him a large circle of warm friends. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, three are still living. Catherine is the wife of Joseph Glenn, an attorney of Mattoon; Oscar is a practicing physician in the latter-named place; Cyphora is the wife of Charles Lindley; Leroy died when four years of age, and an infant died unnamed. |
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