JOHN DAVIS FERGUSON REEVE OF  MONTAGUE

Newspaper Articles compiled by Grant McFarlane of Lanark.

Received from: Melanie Mason - [email protected]

Melanie will provide scanned copies of the newspaper item.


JOHN DAVIS FERGUSON REEVE OF  MONTAGUE

Who was on the 3rd of January last elected Reeve of The Township of Montague, is a son is of the late James Ferguson who served his township for over 20 years on Council Board being for many years Reeve. John D. was born in the house in which he now lives. The old Homestead in 1863 and has been a member of the Township of council for the past five years. He feels the responsibility of this office and has the Confidence of the electors and will no doubt be prominent man in county affairs in the near Future

Feb 7, 1928     

Mr. A. C. McPhail of Brandon, Man., a former resident of this vicinity, who left here over 45 years ago, visited today, with one of his boyhood friends, Mr. Davis Ferguson. He is superintendent of the Provincial Mental Hospital farm near Brandon

Jan 6th, 1910 - News Articles

There are but three changes in the personnel of the County Council for 1910, and two of the three are ex members. J. C. Ebbs returns as Drummond’s Reeve, John Drynan succeeds A. F. Shearn for Almonte, and J. D. Ferguson makes his entry in Council as Reeve of Montague.

also

Mr. Gordon Burns of McGregor, Man., arrived in town on Friday on a visit to his brothers, Messrs., J. E. Burns and T. G. Burns. This is Mr. Burn’s first visit east in seven years.

FINDS ORIOLE’S NEST NEWS ARTICLE   -   NO DATE

J. D. Ferguson brought to the Record-News office this week a maple branch bearing a golden oriole’s nest. The nest was discovered hanging on the end of the branch some 15 or 20 feet from the ground. The nest is a masterpiece of bird construction. Woven of grass, string and fragments of wool, it is held securely in position by string looped about other branches.

WARDEN IS PRESENTED CANE AND ADDRESS

WARDEN J.D. FERGUSON EXPRESSES REGRET AT RETIREMENT FROM MUNICIPAL LIFE AND HOPED PARTICULARLY FOR CONTINUANCE GOOD ROADS WORK.

As the final meeting of Lanark County Council came to a close last Saturday morning at 12 o’clock Warden J. D. Ferguson, who has very capably filled the chair during the year now drawing to a close, was presented with an address and gold headed cane by members of Council. The address was read by Reeve Foy and the cane presented by Reeve C. M. Forbes.

The Address.

The address was as follows: Perth, Nov. 29th, 1919. J. D. Ferguson, Esq., Warden of the County of Lanark, Perth Ont. Dear Mr. Ferguson: Last January, you were unanimously elected to the high and honorable position of Warden of the County of Lanark for the year 1919. Your election was due to the fact  that for many years you had given valuable service to the County as representative of the township of Montague, and your fellow councilors were impressed with 

MR. J. D. FERGUSON PICTURE

Sincerity of your purpose and your ability and fidelity asa councilor in all matters pertaining to County work.

During the past year you have presided over our meetings, and by your tact, courtesy and good judgment have so conducted matters that we may all look back upon the year of 1919 as one of the best and happiest in a municipal sense. As a mark of our regard and esteem, we ask that you accept this gold headed cane. May you be spared long to enjoy it, and may it serve to remind you of the pleasant associations connected with the County Council of 1919.

Council of 1919

JOHN LEE C.FORBES W. PATTIE, WM. WATTERS, JOHN SCOTT, T. B. DUFFY, N.M. RIDDELL J.H. BLAIR, P.J. WHITE, J.A. CRAIG, C.J. FOY, J.T. SOMERVILLE, J.H. DEVLIN, W.J. LIGHTBODY, JAMES G. SYME M. CONNERS. WM. AIKEN, JOS A. CODE.

The WARDEN’S REPLY

In replying to these felicitations Warden Ferguson said:

“Gentlemen of Council. After listening to it he man flattering remarks expressed in the address just read I feel to some degree that I am not worthy of such kind expressions, and I feel that you have been heaping honor upon honor, when you also presented me with this cane.

“These presentations will always be a token of remembrance of you as being first in courtesy and cordial­ity,” continued the Warden. “I am sure that the position accorded me at the beginning of the year, as your Warden, was indeed an office of pleasure, assistance with kindness being offered me on every hand. Many times I have noticed in my short career at this council board heated debates would arise testing the metal of the contestants; but as often have I noticed after all was over the victors and vanquished came togeth­er with expressions of friendship and goodwill,” said the Warden. “In my retirement from municipal work I feel as though family ties were being broken, and never will I forget the bonds of friendship engendered in this place, and in passing I can­not refrain from mentioning the name of our faithful and loyal hearted and kindest of officials, it the late John Lee.” Much might be said in connec­tion with the county work as a whole The management of the House of Industry, the service of promptness and accuracy exercised by the several officials and last but not least. the carrying out of the county road schemes, embracing the building of a large bridge at Ferguson’s Falls, and the placing of many permanent culverts, with miles of finished metal roadway. But suffice it to say, that we hope and trust that this good work may continue, and in conclusion I would again thank you for the kindness and goodwill proffered me today.”

The Warden’s remarks were greet­ed with hearty applause and the singing of “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow,” and three cheers and a tiger. Council then came to a close with the singing of the National An­them.

July 10th. 1909

Council met on above date, All members present. Jas. Chalmers, J.D. Ferguson That the Reeve and the treas. be and are hereby authorized to borrow such money as is necessary to carry on the business of the township until the taxes are collected for the coming year.  Jas. Chalmers, J. D. Ferguson. That a grant of $5.00 be made on request of Brouse, Hutton and others to build a wire fence on lot; 22, Con. 1 opposite an excavation on the public road in his (Hutton’s) road division, such excavation being a dangerous place in winter on account of drifts.  On motion of Jas. Chalmers and Jas. Buchanan the following accounts were ordered to be paid (viz). Jas. Chalmers: $44.00 commutation money in Wm. Johnston’s road division, Atironto for the year 1908 such money to be paid for lumber for sidewalks Wm. Jones: pathmaster $11.15 commutation money appearing against the Ont. and Que. Railway and others up to the year 1908. Geo. Code: $12.00 for crushing  100 rds. long 12 ˝ rds. wide opposite lot 26, Con. 9 certified to by  J. D. Ferguson, Com.  Alex Edwards: 75 cts. for shoved for good roads machinery. S. Flyn $10.00 for grading and building a culvert opposite lot 6, W. Campbell, Com. Daniel Bennett: $i5.00 for grad­ing done on Con. 9 opposite lot 6,  Wm. Campbell, Com. F. Reid: $1.25 for draining grades and the same be charged to, general road account. Perrin Plough Co: $1.25 for repairs for crusher. Thos. Morris $1.00 for 2 pieces of cedar for a culvert in his road’ division. The S. F. News: $15.00 part printing for present year. Freeman Hulburt: 15.00 for; building culvert opposite lot 6, Con. A. Sawyer & Massey: $4.50 for repairs for good road machinery. Jos. Stoddard: $6.25 for work on culvert on lot 22, Con. 9. J. D. Ferguson-J. 13. Lumsden That this Council do now adjourn, to meet Aug. 21st. unless sooner called

STEWART, HOPE & O’DONNELL

BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, & CO

JOHN A HOPE   HUGH A O’DONELL

PERTH ONTARIO

Dear Sir:­

On the direction of the congregation of Westminster Church, Smith’s Falls, and of the Presbytery of Lanark and Renfrew, We are today presenting to you for execution a conveyance of the properties which were formerly the church site and manse site of the St. Andrew’s Church, Smith’s Falls, to the Trustee of Westminster Church, in accordance with the resolution of the last named church and the basis of union.

In. doing so, we wish to advise you that our instructions are, that provided, you do not comply with our demand, as Trustee and execute this deed, we are to take the necessary proceedings to obtain from the Courts a vesting order, and we shall proceed to do so after the expiration of fourteen days from today and will ask for a direction that you and the Trustees who refuse to sign this conveyance be required to pay the costs entailed by the a application ion to the Courts which may be necessary In the event of your opposing such a motion,

JAH/RM.

Yours truly, signature O’Donnell

TWENTY YEARS AGO Tuesday, November 19th, 1907. The ordination of eight new elders recently

elected by the congregation, will take place in St. Andrew’s church at the morning service next  Sunday. ‘They are Messrs. J. D. Ferguson, Robt. Lyle, John McEwen, James Lyle, W. J. D. Canning,  Robt. H. Livingstone, Peter Hunter, Hugh McKenzie and J H. Stewart.

Special     Meeting

There was a splendid meeting of the congregation of Westminster church last night, which was opened with singing and prayer by Rev. Mr. Macarthur. Before a chairman was appointed, Mr. Macarthur said, that since the union of St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s churches there had been some. things done which were not  done legally and to get things right and proper was the reason of the calling of the present meeting which had been done in the proper manner, from the pulpit and through the press. Mr. Geo. G. Graham was then voted to the chair and briefly, outlined the program of the evening, which had to proceed along the lines advertised in the press. There were no, resignations from the trustees of either of the churches These would have to be procured or special legis­lation asked for, to permit the new Board functioning. Moved by Mr. Woodside and seconde by Mr. G. T. McGlaughlin that the Board of Trustees be constituted of Messrs. J. D. Ferguson, W. B. Shields, R. J. Brodie, John McWhorter and G. B. Frost Car.

    Moved by Mr. J. G. Quackenbush and seconded by Mr. H. MIcGillivray,  that the following be a Building com­mittee: Mrs. G. B. Swayne, Mrs. Harry Barker, Messrs. Dr. Patterson, J. H. Forbes, W. A. Woodside, C. S. Bootes, G. T. McGlaughlin and H. Sutton. Church treasurer  Mr. Roy Saun­ders. Congregational Sec’y Dr. C. A. Patterson.

Fin. Sec’y of Building Fund  Mr.  W.A. Woodside.  Treas. of Building Fund Mrs. Harry Barker. Moved by Dr. Patterson and seconded by Mr. McGlaughlin, that the trustees now elected after the properties have been transferred.


Posted: 12 March, 2005.