William A. Ferguson, who is now living retired in Tipton, has spent his entire life in Cedar county, his birth occurring January 21, 1860, on a farm in Red Oak township which his father entered from the government in the winter of 1837, and he is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of this section of the state, being a son of John and Jeannette (Fairchild) Ferguson. His father was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, October 31, 1804, and was a typical Highlander, talking the Gaelic language. He grew to manhood in his native land and in early life was a cattle and sheep raiser. It was in 1831 that he crossed the ocean to New York and for three years made his home in the empire state, working upon a farm. He then removed to Indiana and in company with John Safley and Charles Dallas started for Iowa with ox-teams in 1836, crossing the Mississippi river at Rockingham about the 10th of September of that year. On reaching the grove about two miles below Moscow they stopped for the winter, where all were taken ill with the exception of Mr. Ferguson and his wife. While there he cut hay for his cattle, but this was all destroyed by the prairie fires which occurred later.
They then returned to Illinois and passed the winter at Hendersonville, but in January, 1837, Mr. Ferguson again came to Iowa and, after stopping at his first location for a short time, proceeded to Red Oak township, Cedar county, where he located three claims, on his way back paying twenty-five cents each to have them recorded. There was only one settler in the township at that time. In 1837 in company with Mr. Safley and Mr. Dallas he again came to the county and located upon his claim, being the first foreigner to settle in this county. The family experienced all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and before a mill was established ground their own corn in a coffee mill, Mr. Ferguson securing the first grist that came from a mill in Cedar county. Later a mill was erected by him and William Coutts. Mr. Ferguson raised hogs and during the winter carried the dressed pork to market in Dubuque, a distance of seventy-five miles, through the wilderness where no roads had been laid out and crossing rivers where no bridges had been erected. At one time his wagon stuck in a stream with a load of grist and he had to carry the entire amount out on his back, wading in cold water. At one time, on one of these trips, he passed a pack of wolves, numbering over fifty, but none of the party were attacked. Indians often visited his home in those early days and wild game of all kinds was plentiful.
John Ferguson married Miss Isabella Starak, also a native of Scotland, who died in 1847. By the union there were four children, namely: Hugh, who died several years ago in Louisiana, leaving a wife and large estate; Mrs. Anna Rogers, who died in the state of Washington; Mrs. Mary Davidson, a resident of that state; and Mrs. Margaret Greig, of Clarence, Iowa. For his second wife Mr. Ferguson wedded Jeannette Fairchild, the mother of our subject. She was also born in Scotland and died in Tipton. Their union was blessed with eight children, as follows: John, who died in middle life, was a druggist of Tipton for a number of years, carrying on business where the City National Bank is now located, the building having been erected by his father. He married Ella Culbertson, who passed away before his death. She was a daughter of John Culbertson, one of the pioneer merchants of Tipton and a very prominent man of Cedar county. Mrs. C. E. Jones, the second of the family, was educated at Lenox College and the Valparaiso (Ind.) State Normal. She was for many years a successful teacher in the graded schools of Tipton and is now following the same profession in Chicago. Mrs. Nellie J. Woods is a resident of Cedar Rapids. Isabelle is the wife of James Albright, of Lake Andes, South Dakota. James D., a farmer, died in 1898, leaving a widow and three children. Mrs. Alice Ely is also a teacher in Chicago. She was educated in the Morrison (Ill.) high school and at Mount Carroll Seminary in that state. Clara, the youngest of the family, was graduated from the Mount Carroll Seminary and pursued a medical course in Chicago, continuing her preparation for the profession at Vienna, Austria. For several years she was connected with the Cook County Institution at Dunning but is now engaged in the general practice of medicine in Chicago.
The father was a large and powerful man, of fine physique, and in his younger years was considered the strongest man in his community. He was also regarded as the leader of the Scotch settlement in Red Oak township, which has made its presence ever felt throughout the county. These Scotchmen have always been extremely honest and industrious and there has never been a criminal or pauper come from Red Oak township. Mr. Ferguson was very active in political affairs and exerted a wide felt influence for good. He was an earnest and faithful member of the Scotch Presbyterian church and was held in the greatest respect by all who knew him. He was honored with several local offices and it is needless to say that any trust reposed in him was always faithfully fulfilled. He was a great lover of music and was the first violinist on this side of the Mississippi river, bringing his violin from Scotland and playing all of the popular old Scotch airs. He played remarkably well, even when passed the age of seventy years. His useful and well spent life was ended in September, 1884, and his death was widely and deeply mourned.
William A. Ferguson was reared to agricultural pursuits and on starting out in life for himself chose farming as the occupation to which he would devote his energies. He is still the owner of the old homestead in Red Oak township, which he successfully operated for many years, but in1903 removed to Tipton, where he now makes his home. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Williams, whose birth occurred in Red Oak township in 1865. Her parents were Theodore and Susan (Lindsay) Williams, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Scotland. They were married after coming to this county and spent much of their lives in Red Oak township, though both died in Tipton. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one son, John, now eighteen years of age, who is attending the high school here.
Mr. Ferguson, like his father, is a stalwart supporter of the republican party and a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. His father was one of the organizers of the first church of that denomination in Cedar county, it being located in Red Oak township but is now extant. For many years the family has been one of prominence here and no history of Cedar county would be complete without their record.
