Obit: Ferguson, Harry #2 (1854 - 1918)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ferguson, Cornwell, Ogden, Rogers

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/19/1918

Ferguson, Harry/Henry F. (26 Dec 1854 – 14 Dec 1918)

Harry Ferguson died on Saturday at his home in Minneapolis and the remains were brought here on Tuesday and buried in the family lot. His death came as a shock to his friends here for he seemed to be in the best of health, but had recently been taken with a stroke of paralysis.

Henry F. Ferguson was born in Neillsville on Dec. 26, 1854. He bore the distinction of being the second white child born in Neillsville. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ferguson, he being the second white man to settle in Neillsville, and also was the first white man to take up land in Clark County. The son, therefore, came from pioneer stock and he was known to all the early settlers of the lower end of Clark County. He grew up here and when he arrived at young manhood he took up railroading as a life’s vocation. For 34 years he followed this occupation and at the time of his death was a passenger conductor on the main line of the Omaha. Deceased was a man of the very highest character and when he lived here was known for his great honesty and integrity. This reputation he maintained through life and he was loved and respected by all who knew him, especially the railroad men with whom he came in daily contact. Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Alice Cornwell in this city on May 5, 1877. Six children were born to them, three of whom with their mother, survive their father. The children are Anne Carrol Ferguson Ogden of Freeport, Ill.; Elsie Grace Ferguson Rogers of New Port, Wash.; Bernard H. Ferguson of New York City.

Mr. Ferguson was a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership at Merrillan, and on Monday a large Masonic funeral was held at Minneapolis. The remains were brought to this city on Tuesday afternoon and Masonic services were conducted at the cemetery by the Neillsville brethren from Merrillan. The remains were accompanied here by Mrs. Ferguson, her son and daughter, Mrs. Rogers.