San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 681
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 12/8/2009
WM. E. FERGUSSON
A veteran of the Civil War, Wm. E. Fergusson was born in Glengary County, Ontario, August 2, 1848, a son of Rev. Wm. E. and Jane (Mason) Fergusson, natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The father was a graduate of St. Andrews University with the degree of M.A. and was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church. Coming to Ontario he preached for many years until he accepted the position of inspector of schools for Dundas County until he retired. He and his wife died in Ontario.
Of their ten children William E. is the fifth oldest and was educated in the public school at Winchester. Living close to the U.S. line, his patriotism was stirred and when sixteen years of age he left his books and made his way across the line to enlist in Company K., 193rd New York Volunteer Infantry, March, 1865, was sent into the Shenandoah Valley where he served nearly a year, being mustered out at Harper's Ferry in the spring of 1866 and was honorably discharged in Albany, N.Y. He returned to his studies and then taught school in Ontario until 1870, when he came to Nevada and taught school in Reese River until he began mining, in which he met with fair success. In 1884 he came to Shasta County, Cal., where he followed farming.
In 1872 Mr. Fergusson made a trip back to Ontario and was married to Miss Elsie Neveu, a native of that province. She died in Shasta County in 1893 leaving six children. Foresta presides over her father's home; W.P. Fergusson, Kenneth T. Fergusson, D.D.S.; Franklin Fergusson, Mrs. Elsie Proctor and Wilbur, all of Stockton. For a time Mr. Fergusson was in the employ of a lumber company. Later he became manager of a store and was assistant postmaster for several years. Several of his children having located in Stockton he also came hither and for three years he engaged in the grocery business, since which time he has lived retired. In Shasta County he was a member of the school board. He was made a Mason in St. Johns Lodge in Ontario and is now a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 68 F. & A.M. and also a member of Rawlins Post No. 23 G.A.R. serving as adjutant for the last six years and is also a past commander of the Post. He is a trustee in the United Brethren Church and politically he is a stanch Republican.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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