George C. Ferguson
Unusual determination, natural ability, industry and good
judgment have leg George C. Ferguson to attain the substantial
position which he now occupies in the farming fraternity of
Linton township, Allamakee county, where he owns three hundred
and thirty-three acres of valuable land. He was born in Monona
township, Clayton county, this state, on December 28, 1860, a son
of William and Mary (Blair) Ferguson. The father was born near
London, Ontario, Canada, on December 3, 1832, and after a life
rich in labors, but also rich in rewards, passed away October 6,
1909, in his seventy-seventh year. The mother, a native of York,
Pennsylvania, was born May 6, 1837, her death occurring many
years before that of her husband, on November 27, 1875. The
father was educated and reared on a farm in Canada and crossed
the border to the United States in 1852, coming directly to Iowa,
where he located in Monona township, Clayton county, one mile
from Monona. He continued there until the ‘70s, when he
removed to Franklin township, where he bought land on which he
resided for many years. He subsequently made his home with a
daughter in Clayton county for about five years and then joined
the household of Mr. Ferguson of this review, with whom he made
his home until his demise. He was highly respected and esteemed
by all who knew him and on various occasions was offered public
office, which he, however, always steadfastly refused.
George c. Ferguson was the second in a family of five children.,
He attended school in district No,. 1, Monona township, Clayton
county, and upon his father’s farm near that city passed his
boyhood, remaining at home until twenty years of age, when he
began his independent career by working for others, accepting any
work that came to hand until twenty-four years of age, when by
strict economy and thrift he had accumulated sufficient means to
buy one hundred acres of land, which is part of his present farm.
For two or three years he also operated his father’s farm
and then built on his own land and moved thereon in 1894. He has
since resided here, has put up substantial and well equipped
buildings and brought his land to a high state of cultivation.
When he arrived here all of his land was in a wild state but now
his property, comprising three hundred and thirty-three acres, is
one of the most valuable in the county. He engages in general
farming, giving attention to grain raising and also live stock.
Moreover, he has a ginseng garden which he planted about fifteen
years ago and from which he derives a handsome income. He is a
stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and also in the
Shipping Association of that city and holds stock in the Monona
State Bank.
On March 5, 1889, Mr. Ferguson married Miss Hortense M. Haworth,
who was born in Pennsylvania, on December 11, 1872, and died
September 5, 1891, after only about three years of happy married
life. She was a daughter of John and Frances (Randall) Haworth,
the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New York.
John Haworth served during the Civil war for four years in the
volunteer army, with Company I, Twenty-seventh Iowa Cavalry, as a
private. He never received a wound during all that time, although
he was in the hottest of fighting, and never was confined to a
hospital. He later became a resident of Clayton county, owning a
residence in Monona, where he died. There his wife still makes
her home today. To Mr. Ferguson was born one child by his first
wife, Walter, whose birth occurred on November 22, 1890, and who
died on October 5, 1891. On September 14, 1892, Mr. Ferguson
married Miss Chlista Jenkins, a native of Franklin township,
where she was born near Lansing on April 9. 1874. She is a
daughter of George and Mary (Kascel) Jenkins, both natives of
Virginia. They came to Iowa about 1852, locating first at
Lansing, Allamakee county, where they remained about a year. They
then removed to Franklin township, this county, settling on the
Yellow river, where the father engaged in farming and became a
prosperous landowner. He passed away in Franklin township on his
homestead. The mother now resides in Monona. Mr. Jenkins was held
in high esteem by all who knew him and was publicly active in
various positions, having been honored with election to a number
of township offices. Mrs. Ferguson was the oldest of four
children born to this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson also have
four children: Robert A., born June 4, 1893; Walter A., whose
birth occurred July 29, 1895; William, whose date of birth was
May 12, 1902; and Sidney Reid, born February 1, 1907.
Politically Mr. Ferguson is a republican, giving his stalwart
support to the measures and candidates of that party. He has
always devoted his attention to improving his valuable farm
property, having never found time to actively participate in
political affairs. He is however, public-spirited and progressive
and gives helpful support to all measures undertaken in the
interest of the township or county. He is a member of the Masonic
lodge, No., 70, at Monona and a trustee therein, and since 1903
has belonged to Northern Light Lodge, No., 156, I.O.O.F., in
which he has served in all the chairs. Mr. Ferguson enjoys in
full measure the confidence and high regard of his fellow
citizens and has gained in life not only a substantial position
but the friendship of many who esteem him for those qualities of
his character which make for the highest citizenship.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index