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 R. O. W. FERGUSON, who for many years has been prominent among the intelligent and progressive farmers of Mattoon Township, is the proprietor of a fine estate including 320 acres of land, embellished with handsome and substantial buildings, and supplied with all the requirements of a modern country home. The Doctor, who is still a young man, is a native of this county, and was born six miles south of Mattoon, on the 19th of August, 1859. He is the third of four children, the offspring of Myron J. and Martha (Williams) Ferguson. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this State with his parents in about 1830. He settled in the southern part of Coles County, and not long after ward was united in marriage with Miss Martha Williams, and established himself with his young wife, upon a tract of land, where he continued farming the greater part of his life. He dealt extensively in stock of all kinds, but, while having upon his mind and hands large business interests, kept in mind at the same time the welfare of his children, and finally removed to the city of Mattoon in order to give them the benefit of a good education. His death occurred there in 1876, at which time he was interested in the Mattoon Bank, and when it became necessary to settle the estate, the crippled condition of that institution swept away all the property which he had accumulated. Our subject completed his education in the city schools of Mattoon, and at an early age entered Bellevue College Hospital, in New York City, and at the age of twenty-one secured his degree of M. D. He commenced practice in partnership with Dr. J. W. Dora, of Mattoon, with whom he had formerly studied, and continued until 1880. He then moved to the country upon the farm which he occupied until the fall of 1887, when he again resumed practice in the city, his office being on the corner of First street and Broadway. The marriage of Dr. O. W. Ferguson and Miss Jennie Joseph, was celebrated at the home of the bride’s parents on the 17th of May, 1882. Mrs. F. is the eldest child of Harrison and Vashti (Hamrick) Joseph. Her father was a native of Ohio, where his -daughter, Jennie, was born in 1860. He now carries on the trade of a jeweler in Mattoon, Ill. The one child of Dr. and Mrs. Ferguson is a daughter, Vesta, born June 8, 1883. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Doctor uniformly votes with the Republican party. He purchased his farm six years ago, and has superintended its operations since, while at the same time practicing moderately, although not endeavoring to extend his territory. |
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