Albert C. Ferguson, b. 18 Jun 1837

WALTON, COTTER, DIFFIN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/18/2004 at 08:17:23

The mercantile interests of Sterling and vicinity are amply represented by the subject of this notice, who is also a prominent Democrat of Iowa Township, and a general favorite in social and business circles. He may be properly classed as a self-made man, and one who has had his full share of reverses, but he has been enabled to maintain his courage and successfully out-ride the storm. He is at present occupied in general merchandising, dealing in dry-goods, groceries, and the commodities usually belonging to the well-regulated general store.

Mr. Ferguson first opened his eyes to the light, in the West, having been born in Oakland County, Mich., June 18, 1837. He is the offspring of a good family, being the son of Chauncey S. and Olive (Walton) Ferguson, who were natives of Tioga County, N.Y., whence they emigrated to Michigan during its pioneer days, and from there came to this county in 1837, before the town of Sabula was laid out. The year following, the father of our subject purchased land in the vicinity of Sabula, and while carrying on its improvement and cultivation, still pursued his trade of a carpenter and cabinet-maker. In 1847 he removed with his family to a farm in the vicinity of Sterling, our subject being then a lad ten years of age. Here the latter has since made his home. He was the only child of his parents, who lived to be quite well advanced in years, the father dying Sept. 19, 1875, and the mother May 10, 1883.

The father of our subject was a man of such force of character and good business capacities. He platted the town of Sterling in the fall of 1851, and established the first store in the place that same winter. He also conducted a hotel, and for some years thereafter was concerned in the erection of most of the houses, both dwellings and other buildings. He took an active part in every enterprise calculated to advance the interests of the place, and held many offices of trust and responsibility, serving as Postmaster from the establishment of the office until March 15, 1861, and was Justice of the Peace many years. He also operated a wagon-shop, doing a thriving business. He was a man upright and honest in his transactions, and enjoyed the universal respect of his fellow-citizens.

Our subject began his mercantile experience in the store of his father at Sterling when a mere boy, and also assisted the latter in the wagon-shop and otherwise, as his services were required. He thus gained an excellent idea of general business, and at the age of twenty-three years, started out for himself, establishing the store with which he has since been connected, and which he has managed so successfully. He carries a stock of about $2,000, and during the period of nearly thirty years, in which he has been thus engaged, has made for himself an enviable reputation as a business man and a citizen. He enjoys a good patronage, and although like most men, having at times his misfortunes and reverses, is comfortably situated with sufficient means to defend him against want in his old age. He occupies a pleasant home in the central part of the town, and his family consists of his wife and two children, only one of whom, however, a son, Pearly Milton, is at home. The other, a son, Chauncey S., married Miss Maggie A. Cotter, and is occupied at railroading at Savanna, Ill.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married Aug. 23, 1857, was in her girlhood Miss Frances E. Diffin, a native of Canada, and born on the 13th of November, 1842. Her parents were Samuel and Mary A. Diffin, who were natives of New York, and the father now deceased, died Sept. 26, 1877; the mother is now living in Sabula. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson there were born three children, one of whom died young, at the age of two years and five months. Mr. Ferguson has been Postmaster of Sterling since October, 1885. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he stands high, having taken the 32nd degree including the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the A.O.U.W. Our subject spent over two years traveling through the Territories, and among the Indians.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)