BIOGRAPHY: Frank U. FERGUSON, M.D., Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann Olsen. Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty Mirovich and Sharon Ringler. USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ ____________________________________________________________ From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 315-6 ____________________________________________________________ FRANK U. FERGUSON, M.D., a graduate of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, and a physician of standing and practice at Gallitzin, is a son of John and Sabilla (Kells) Ferguson, and was born near Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1864. The Ferguson family is of Scotch lineage, and in residence in Pennsylvania dates back to colonial days. Dr. Ferguson's paternal grandfather, James Ferguson, was a son of the founder of the family in Indiana county, this State. James Ferguson was born and reared on his father's farm, where he passed his life, and was engaged in farming and blacksmithing. He was a noted fox and deer hunter, and married and reared a family of nine sons and three daughters. Of his sons, one was John Ferguson, whose life was passed on the old-homestead farm; he was a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen, who enjoyed company and was noted for his open-handed hospitality. Mr. Ferguson was a whig, and subsequently a republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist church. He was born in May, 1828, and died suddenly of heart failure May 22, 1895. The county press commented on his death, and one paper, in an extended notice said: "The deceased was one of the old and highly respected citizens of that community. He was an exemplary citizen, and fulfilled well the various duties of life. He belonged to a sturdy stock, and his death removes another of those robust figures that in this day are becoming only too rare. We extend to the bereaved ones the assurance of our deepest sympathy. His remains were interred in Hopewell Cemetery, Indiana county, but the memory of such a husband and father will live in unfading greenness in the hearts of wife and children. "Mr. Ferguson married Sabilla Kells, whose father, Robert Kells, came with his parents from Ireland, and was a noted boat-builder in the days of the old canal." Mrs. Ferguson, who still resides on the home-farm, was born at Livermore, Westmoreland county, in 1844, and is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. And Mrs. Ferguson reared a family of seven children: Dr. Frank U., Charles D., Mary, Jennie, George, Rebecca, and James. Dr. Frank U. Ferguson was reared on the old family homestead-farm in Indiana county, received his education in public schools and Blairsville academy, and then became a clerk in the drug stores of Milton C. Kerr, of Blairsville, and Hetrick Brothers, of Indiana, and remained with them up to 1884, in which year he established his present drug house at Gallitzin (changed to Ferguson & Reed in 1891). They have a handsome and well arranged establishment, carry a large and carefully-selected stock of fresh and pure drugs, and have a fine patronage. He passed the State Board of Pharmacy in 1889. Beginning the study of medicine in 1887 he entered the Medico-Chirurgical college of Philadelphia, from which he graduated in the class of 1890, receiving favorable mention in all of his branches, ranking third on general average. He was elected president of his class, receiving every vote, and returned to Gallitzin, where he formed a partnership in the practice of medicine with Dr. E. T. Bradley, which existed until the autumn of 1892. Since that time he has been practicing by himself. On June 28, 1887, Dr. Ferguson married Margaret Bradley, a daughter of Thomas Bradley, of Gallitzin. They have two children living: Paul H. and Arthur A. Dr. Ferguson and his wife are both members of the Catholic church. In politics Dr. Ferguson supports the principles of the Republican party, but devotes his time largely to his profession and his business affairs. After practicing for five years he returned to Philadelphia in 1895, and took a polyclinic course, in order to keep abreast of the times in medical progress and advancement. Dr. Ferguson is one of the leading physicians in the eastern part of the county, and has built up a practice of large proportions. He is a courteous gentleman and useful citizen, is a member of the Cambria County and the Pennsylvania State Medical societies, and well read in his profession, where he has already met with such flattering success. At the October meeting of the Cambria County Medical Society in 1896 Dr. Ferguson was nominated for the presidency for 1897.