Ferguson, John P. 1893-1919

FERGUSON, ASHTON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/19/2014 at 12:18:20

Note: His mother's maiden name was Ashton.

John P. Ferguson Obituary

John P. Ferguson was born at Le Mars, Ia., June 1, 1893, died at Camp Devens, Pittsfield, Mass., June 22, 1919, having recently returned from overseas service. He was wounded twice while fighting in some of the war's greatest battles. His last wound was received in the Argonne Forest fighting just a few days before the armistice was signed, and from which wound he never fully recovered. In the breakdown tubercular complications set in, which were too much for his weakened condition and was the final cause of his death.

John lived in Le Mars all of his life. He was employed by Peter Mullong on a farm nine miles from town when his country called him to be a soldier. He was glad to go and waived all exemptions. He left Le Mars from Camp Dodge April 27, of last year, and the 22nd day of June, less than two months from the time he left home, he landed with the 90th division in France, and was soon in the trenches in actual warfare with the enemy. Four times he went over the top, fighting in the St. Mihiel, the Meuse and the Argonne Forest battles.

He was entitled to two service and two wound chevrons and a honorable discharge. The last of which was only delayed because of his illness and death, but will be conferred at the time of the grand review by the God of all battles. His relatives and friends may be justly proud of his record. His heroism was no small contribution toward the ennobling of universal society. When freedom becomes world wide, the parents of such sons will be able to say in their declining years, "Our boys were on the banks of the Marne, they fought at Chauteau Thierry, they stood fast in the Argonne Forest, they languishd in an army hospital, we gave a boy and gained a star in a southern camp. All this we suffered in the war for universal freedom." The battlefield was a sanctuary and death a holy sacrament.

John leaves the following close relatives to mourn his departure, besides his father and mother, five sisters, Mrs. Fred Helen, Mrs. Roy Jennings, Mrs. Arnold Coppock, Celia and Nettie Ferguson, all of Le Mars, Ia.; two half brothers, Alfred J. Smith, of Hecla, S. D., William C. Smith, of Le Mars; a half sister, Mrs. John Lanon, of Chicago, Ill.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, July 4, 1919
Le Mars, Ia.