FERGUSON, Jared, 1794-1895, War of 1812 Veteran

FERGUSON, BRACE, PARKER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/31/2012 at 15:56:51

Decorah, IA., Oct. 4 - Jared Ferguson, aged 101 years and 8 months, died in Decorah Wednesday evening. He was born in Bolton, Conn., February 1, 1794 and was one of the very few surviving pensioners of the war of 1812. Last year, when he attained his century mark, a celebration was held, and the old gentleman danced to the music of a fife played by a 72-year-old nephew.

~Postville Graphic, October 10, 1895

Added by Joy Moore March 24, 2021

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 17, 1895 P 1 C 4

As He was at the Age of One Hundred Years.
BORN FEBRUARY 11th, A. D. 1784
Dies in Decorah, October 2d, 1895, aged 101 years, 7 months and 21 days.
The death of a person over one hundred years old is an event of very rare occurrence, and is to be commemorated so far as printers ink can make the record. Above we present a portrait of such a person. It is a likeness of Jared Ferguson, drawn from a photograph made by Mr. Reynolds, of the Star Gallery, February 11th, 1894, the day the subject rounded out his century of life. This the REPUBLICAN has had reproduced in the above form, in order to make a record of his death which occurred on the 2d of October, l895, when Mr. Ferguson was aged one hundred and one years, seven months and twenty-one days.
Jared Ferguson was born in Bolton, Tolland Co., Conn., Feb. 11th, 1794. He was always a man of humble living, and the events of his career were none of them of marked character. The most prominent fact is that he was a soldier of the war of 1812. A few years ago some newspaper set afloat an item to the effect that the last pensioner of that war had passed away, and the records of the government as to that war had closed. A correction speedily followed, but it then transpired that the number of such pensioners was very few, and that Mr. Ferguson was one of these very few. He enlisted in 1813 for one year, then re-enlisted for three months as a sergeant, and continued in the army until the war ceased, which was in 1814. He then returned home to Connecticut, and in 1816 married Miss Annie Brace. Shortly afterwards they removed to Whitesboro, Oneida Co., N. Y., subsequently going to Oswego. In 1857 he came west, by wagon, occupying six weeks in the trip, and settled in Burr Oak township, this county. There he continued to reside until a little less than four years ago, when he came to Decorah and has since lived with his granddaughter, Mrs. E. E. Parker.
The attainment to one hundred years was made the occasion of a local celebration, in which nearly two score participated. It was keenly enjoyed by the aged veteran, for he has been blessed with well-retained faculties and a sprightliness remarkable for one of his years. It is one of the items in the record made at that time that he could not resist the temptation to dance to the music made on a fife by a 72-year- old nephew!
Reflecting upon the extended period this life time covers we can add nothing to what was said in recording this centennial celebration. It was then remarked:—“Born during the presidency of George Washington he has lived through the administration of every president since the United States became a republic. He has seen all of the principal inventions which to-day make this country the wonder of the world. He was thirty years old when steam was first utilized as a motive power in propelling a boat, and it was not until ten years later that the same agency was employed on the steam cars. The development of electricity except for curious experimental purposes, has taken place, and numerous other inventions have made the period such a one as a man born in this day may not reasonably expect to see should he live to the ripe old age of Mr. Ferguson. He has also seen many of the exciting events which mark the pages of our history, in one of which he was an active participant.
Three children survive him. Major Ferguson, (aged 79) lives in Texas; Calvin Ferguson, (aged 75) lives in Burr Oak, and Miss Fanny Ferguson lived with him and the granddaughter. The mother of Mrs. Parker—the eldest daughter—died in New York 34 years ago.
The funeral was held from the residence of Mrs. Parker last Saturday morning, and the remains were taken to Burr Oak for burial beside those of his wife who died about twenty-two years ago. Col. Hughes Post, G. A. R. participated and accompanied the cortege to the city limits in proper honor and respect to the memory of one who was a veteran of the veterans.

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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