Imperial-San Diego-Los Angeles County CA Archives Biographies.....Ferguson, Allen R. 1867 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 16, 2006, 12:36 pm Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918) ALLEN R. FERGUSON.—Allen Robert Ferguson is a splendid example of the men of courage and enterprising spirit. In 1907 the present site of Seeley was not even under cultivation, and in 1912 it had risen to the rank of a third-class postoffice. This remarkable growth was largely due to the foresight of Mr. Ferguson, who saw the necessity of a town somewhere near the present site of Seeley. He divided his holdings into town lots and laid off streets and sold most of the lots in the townsite. Mr. Ferguson's birth occurred in Wayne County, West Virginia, December 14, 1867, a son of Jefferson and Cornelia (Smith) Ferguson. His father was a native of West Virginia, and his mother was born in Virginia. In the parents' family were ten children. He was reared and acquired his education in his native state. At the age of twenty-two he came to California and engaged in the horticultural business in San Diego, where he remained for a period of fifteen years. In 1907 Mr. Ferguson came to Imperial County and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land and put on the townsite of Seeley. In 1911 the Seeley postoffice was established, through Mr. Ferguson's efforts, and in one year it was rated as a third-class office. Mr. Ferguson served as the first postmaster. The town was laid out on a generous plan, all streets being eighty feet wide. Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Olive Peters, daughter of John N. and Nancy R. (Harris) Peters, her father being a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Virginia. Mrs. Ferguson was born in Wayne County, West Virginia, and was a teacher in the public schools previous to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been born five children, four of whom are deceased. Their daughter, Olivia Roberta, was born July 21, 1913. Fraternally Mr. Ferguson is identified with the Masonic Lodge of El Centro, and is a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Shrine of San Diego. Mr. Ferguson has attained success, and through his efforts and by the co-operation of his wife he has attained a place among the representative men of Imperial County. He stands today an excellent example of what may be termed a self-made man. Mr. Ferguson has financial interests and maintains a fine summer home in Burbank, California. Additional Comments: From: THE HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY CALIFORNIA EDITED BY F. C. FARR IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED Published by ELMS AND FRANKS BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918 Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/ferguson751nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb