The Ferguson Family of Black Hawk County, Iowa

GEORGE S. FERGUSON.

It is an unusual thing that four brothers of a family should continue in business together, for conditions and individual tastes usually separate them. However, in the Ferguson family, which has been represented in this county since 1868, there are four brothers who are partners in the ownership of the business conducted under the name of the Ferguson Manufacturing Company. One of these brothers is he whose name introduces this review and who throughout the greater period of his active business life has been connected with industrial pursuits. He was born m Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, a son of Edward and Isabelle (Cummings) Ferguson, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Albert R. Ferguson. The family arrived in this county in 1868, when George S. Ferguson was but a little lad, and their home was established on a farm eight miles northeast of Waterloo.

George S. Ferguson attended the district schools of Bennington township and afterward became a student in the Prairie Home Seminary. He worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he went to South Dakota, where he took up a claim and in connection with its development operated a well drilling machine for one year. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa, where he engaged in the creamery business for about three years. He next purchased a drilling machine and devoted the succeeding five years to drilling wells. At the end of that time he was employed as a traveling salesman by the Kelley & Tannehill Company and represented that house upon the road for about fifteen years, his long continued connection with the business indicating his capability and his faithfulness to the trust reposed in him by his employers. Others of the family were also in the employ of the firm, to whom the name of Ferguson stood as a synonym for reliability and capability. On leaving the road George S. Ferguson joined his brothers in the organization of the Ferguson Manufacturing Company and has since been general manager of the business, which is that of manufacturing well drilling machinery and supplies. His early experience in well drilling stands him in good stead in this connection, having brought to him a practical knowledge of the work to be done by the machinery which his company now manufactures. He concentrates his energies upon this business and his close application and keen insight have been factors in its growing success.

On the 23d of December, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Lemper, who was born in Galena, Illinois, a daughter of Paul and Anna (Cawthorn) Lemper, both of whom were natives of Illinois, whence they came to Iowa when Waterloo was a village and gave little promise of ever reaching its present metropolitan size and conditions. However, they took up their above in Waterloo and the father engaged in the hardware business, in which he continued until a few years prior to his death, which occurred in the latter '80s. His widow still resides in Waterloo, occupying the old home on Franklin street. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one son, Paul L., who is now a high-school pupil. They occupy an attractive residence at No. 302 Mobile street which Mr. Ferguson owns, together with other real estate in this city.

He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He usually votes the democratic ticket although he is independent in his political views and actions. At one time he served as township clerk of Bennington township, but he cares little for public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon other interests. He belongs to Grace Methodist Episcopal church and high and honorable principles guide him in all life's relations.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

STEPHEN E. FERGUSON.

The name of Ferguson is well known in connection with industrial enterprise in Waterloo and Stephen E. Ferguson is one of four brothers, who in a partnership are conducting a growing and profitable business in the manufacture of well drilling machinery and supplies under the name of the Ferguson Manufacturing Comi)any. This is one of the more recently established industrial concerns of Waterloo but already has attained substantial success.

Stephen E. Ferguson was born in New York state, May 26, 1866, and was less than a year of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. An account of their removal and a more extended mention of the father and mother is to be found on another page of this volume, in connection with the life history of Albert R. Ferguson.

Reared upon the old homestead farm in Bennington township, this county, Stephen E. Ferguson early became familiar r with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. During the school sessions he pursued his studies in one of the district schools of Bennington township and afterward enjoyed the advantage of further instruction in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls and also in Cornell College. In early manhood he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the rural schools for a number of years and then turned his attention from professional to commercial pursuits by entering the employ of the Hurst & Corson Grocery Company in the capacity of bookkeeper. Later he engaged in the insurance business for a number of years, carrying on that business until he joined his brothers in organizing the Ferguson Manufacturing Company and establishing the factory which they, now operate. He represents the firm upon the road as traveling salesman and like his brothers devotes his entire time to the business. He has secured for the company many substantial patrons and has contributed in large measure to the continuous growth of the undertaking.

Mr. Ferguson also owns desirable real estate in Waterloo and farm lands in Texas. He resides at No. 154 Harrison street. His name is on the membership rolls of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Court of Honor and of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. For almost a half century he has resided in this county and has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred and the work that has been wrought in bringing the county from pioneer conditions to its present state of development and progress.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT R. FERGUSON.

Albert R. Ferguson, partner in the F"ergu5on Manufacturing Company, which manufactures all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies at No. 118 Rath street. Waterloo, was born in Black Hawk county, October 21, 1868, his parents being Edward and Isabelle ( Cummings ) Ferguson, who at an early period in the development of this section of Iowa came from Pennsylvania and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Black Hawk county, establishing their home eight miles northeast of Waterloo, where the father began farming. His remaining days were devoted to the further development and cultivation of that place and his death occurred in 1874. The mother continued to reside upon the home farm with her family until about 1894, when they came to Waterloo, where Mrs. Ferguson still makes her home. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: George C. who is interested in the Ferguson Manufacturing Company; Robert, in business alone in Waterloo; Albert R., of this review; Stephen, who resides in Waterloo and acts as salesman for the Ferguson Manufacturing Company; Charles, who is also connected with the firm; and iona, the wife of J. W. Noble, who is assistant postmaster at Manitou. Colorado.

Albert R. Ferguson attended the district schools near his boyhood home until nineteen years of age and afterward pursued a commercial course in

Waterloo. Through the periods of vacation his attention was given to the work of the farm and at the age of twenty-one years he rented the old homestead and continued the further cultivation and improvement of the farm for about two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Waterloo and entered the employ of the Kelley & Tannehill Company, with whom he continued for about six or seven years, during which time he gained a comprehensive knowledge of and training in mechanical pursuits and developed his latent powers, thus greatly increasing his ability. At the end of that time he, with his three brothers, organized the Ferguson Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of all kinds of well drilling machinery and supplies. They have a well equipped factory supplied with the latest improved machinery necessary to their line at No. ii8 Rath street. Mr. Ferguson is secretary of the company, with three of his brothers as partners, and he devotes his entire time to the factory. He now owns valuable real estate in Waterloo, including an attractive residence property at No. 150 Harrison street.

On the loth of October, 1894, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Rodifer, who was born in Waterloo in a house which then stood on the site of the present Ellis Hotel, at which time her father owned the entire block. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Harrod) Rodifer, who were among the early and highly respected residents of the county. The father here engaged in the building business as a contractor and both he and his wife died in Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have three children. Ruby Lucille, Leila Maud and Donald E., all at home.

Mr. Ferguson holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the rules which govern his conduct are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Walnut Street Baptist church, to the teachings of which he consistently adheres. In politics he is independent, nor has he ever aspired to public office. He has always given his undivided attention to his business affairs and it is well known that he has never been afraid of hard work. Energy and close application have been the salient features in his success and he has advanced step by step, proving his worth and ability in concentrated and intelligently directed effort.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES A. FERGUSON.

Charles A. Ferguson is one of the native sons of Black Hawk county who has proven his worth in business circles, being now a partner in the Ferguson Manufacturing Company of Waterloo. He was born upon a farm eight miles northwest of the city, on which his parents settled when they took up their above in this county in 1868. Much of his education was acquired in the district schools of Bennmgton township, supplemented by a course in the Waterloo Business College. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth and almost as soon as old enough to handle a plow he began to work in the fields, assisting also in the planting and harvesting as the years went on. He lived with his mother upon the old homestead until the family came to Waterloo, after which he attended school in this city for about a year.

Mr. Ferguson then entered the factory of the Kelley & Tannehill Company and there remained for about twelve years, working as a machinist and advancing to the position of shop foreman. His skill and ability gradually increased until he was given a position of large responsibility. After twelve years' connection with the house, years in which he enjoyed the full confidence and goodwill of his employers, he resigned his position and joined his brothers in organizing the Ferguson Manufacturing Company for the purpose of manufacturing well drilling machinery and supplies. Charles A. Ferguson is acting as superintendent of the factory, in which they employ about twenty men, and he devotes his entire time to this business. The plant is well supplied with modern machinery needed in their line and Mr. Ferguson's practical experience enables him to carefully direct the labors of those in his employ.

On the 30Lh of June, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ferguson and Miss Alice Cary, who was born in this county, a daughter of Anthony and Julia (Sheller) Cary, who came to Iowa at an early period in the development of the central section of the state and settled in East Waterloo township, Black Hawk county. The father secured a tract of land and engaged in farming, makmg his home upon the farm until his life's labors were ended in death. His widowafterward removed with her family to W'waterloo, where she passed away in the winter of 191 3. Mr. Cary held various local offices and served on the board of county supervisors. He was well known as a respected and worthy citizen and both he and his wife had many friends in the county.

In politics Mr. Ferguson is an independent democrat. He does not feel that he is bound by party ties and votes as his judgment dictates. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now the owner of good city property in Waterloo, including his present residence at No. 1714 Franklin street, where he and his wife delight in extending the hospitality of their home to many friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.