Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Ferguson, Robert ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 6, 2007, 2:52 pm Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890 ROBERT FERGUSON, deceased, was a pioneer of Will County, and as one who materially contributed to develop its rich agricultural resources, and as an early settler of Plainfield Township, where he built up for himself and family a desirable home, he is well worthy of representation in this Biographical Album. County Derry, Ireland, was the birthplace of our subject, and also of his father, who bore the same name, he being of Scotch antecedents. The latter was a trader, dealer in linen fabrics, and in 1840 he emigrated to this country and located in Easton, Pa. He resided there for two years and then came to Will County, and spent the remainder of his life at the home of our subject, dying in March, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy McDougall, preceded him in death many years, dying in Easton, Pa., in 1852. They had but one son, our subject, and one daughter, Mary A., who married John W. Johnson and lives in Will County. Robert Ferguson was reared in his native land until he was eighteen years of age, when he came to America and located at Easton, was employed in a wire manufactory and resided there until 1852. Then in the vigor and prime of manhood, he came to this county intending to devote himself to farming. He first purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land on section 35, Plainfield Township, paying therefor $5 an acre. He immediately set about its improvement, preparing the land for cultivation and erecting a temporary building for the shelter of his family, which he replaced some years later by a frame house. He was much prospered in his undertakings and was subsequently enabled to buy one hundred and sixty acres more land in the same section, upon which he erected a fine set of frame buildings, replete with all conveniences, and here his useful life was brought to a close by his untimely death, May 31, 1888. Mr. Ferguson was greatly indebted for the position he attained, to the help he received by his worthy wife to whom he was united in marriage in 1841. She still occupies the old homestead, the farm being ably managed by her son James. Mrs. Ferguson's maiden name was Nancy McDougall, and she is also with her husband, a native of County Derry, Ireland. Her father, Edward McDougall, is supposed to have been a native of the same county, where he carried on the occupation of farming. Later in life he came to America to join his children, and resided for a time in New York, his last years were spent in this county. The maiden name of his wife was Mollie Smith, and she too was born in County Derry, her father, Jacob Smith, being also a native of Ireland, where he carried on farming and spent his entire life. She died in New York. Mrs. Ferguson's only brother, James died in New York. She had three sisters, Mollie, who married a Mr. McClanahan and is now deceased; Sallie, who married Thomas Leggett and is now deceased; Eleanor, who married Joseph McClintock and lives in Joliet. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson had seven children all of whom are living: Robert M., John J., Joseph M., Eleanor, James, Mary and Jennie. Mr. Ferguson possessed in a large degree the qualities necessary for success in a farmer's calling, and as we have seen attained it, placing himself among the solid well-to-do citizens of the township. His inherent traits of character won him a good name and a good standing in the community, and as a pioneer his memory will ever be respected in Plainfield. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church but after coming here, identified themselves with the Congregational Church and Mrs. Ferguson is still a faithful attendant. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/ferguson1351nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb