was for several years road supervisor and is now a member of the school board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the Lutheran church. He is one of the leading men of his community, his industry and progressive spirit making him one of the honored citizens of Richland township, whose success and substantial position is regarded as the rightful heritage of his many years of close application and unremitting activity.
HIRAM F. FERGUSON.
The name of Ferguson is well known in Story county. It has figured in the agricultural development of this portion of the state for many years and Hiram F. Ferguson is recognized as one whom lovers of the Union delight to honor. He was a brave soldier when the dissolution of the republic was threatened and during his active life was one of the most progressive citizens of the county, but is now living retired at Nevada.
He was born in Oswego county, New York, April 14, 1843, a son of Hiram and Ethelinda D. (Dewey) Ferguson. The father was a native of Oswego county, New York. His grandfather was born in Scotland, coming to this country and settling in New York state, where he was living at the time of the Revolutionary war. Hiram Ferguson, who was a millwright by trade, came to Iowa in 1854 and readily found employment in building a sawmill on the Iowa river, near Union in Hardin county. After completing this work he built a mill for John Miller on Skunk river, in Franklin township, and also for Darius Chandler, at Cambridge. He was of an inventive turn of mind and originated a water wheel principally for up and down sawmills, which was used quite extensively throughout the country for many years. After spending two years in Iowa he went east for his family and upon returning he lived for a time at Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, where he had overhauled a mill and put in one of his wheels. He built a gristmill and in the fall of 1858 moved his family to Nevada in order that the children might have the advantages of school during the winter. In the spring of 1859, having entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Howard township, he took up his residence there, the mother of the family passing away the following year. In 1862 Mr. Ferguson located at Clemons Grove, Marshall county, and he died while living at that place, July 14, 1863, at the age of fifty-five years. He was an active member of the Methodist church and while in the east was connected with the Sons of Temperance. Politically he was identified with the old line whig party and its successor, the republican party. Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Connecticut and was also a member of the Methodist church. She died May 27, 1860, at the age of fifty-three years. There were six children in the family. William D., now living retired in Oswego county, New York, is a machinist by trade and