Biography of Walter M. Ferguson - McDowell Co. VA


The History of West Virginia, Old and New 
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., 
Chicago and New York, Volume II, 
pg. 524-525 


WALTER M. FERGUSON started out in life with a strong 
ambition to be a merchant, and merchandising has con- 
stituted his active career so far. He is still a comparatively 
young man, and is one of the highly respected business 
men of Bluefield, owning a high class grocery establish- 
ment at 406 Bland Street.
He was born on a farm near New Hope in Mercer County, 
May 25, 1884, son of William Riley and Mary Jane (Carr) 
Ferguson. His father was born in Franklin County and his 
mother in Montgomery County, Virginia. William Riley 
Ferguson was a child when his mother brought him to 
Mercer County, and they located on the farm where Walter 
Ferguson was born and where William Riley spent his active 
career as a substantial farmer. He died in September, 1918, 
at the age of seventy-three. He was a youthful Confederate 
soldier and was on guard duty at Richmond at the close of 
the war. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, having been about sixty years of age when he 
joined this order, and on account of his popularity and his 
influence, was accepted at that age. Mrs. Ferguson died 
December 4, 1918, at the age of sixty-eight. Her family 
consisted of three sons and three daughters, all living, 
Walter being the fourth in age.
Walter Ferguson attended school at New Hope, and was 
on the farm until he was twenty years of age. The first 
accumulation of capital he was able to make came from 
his work as a teamster. After getting about $100 he started 
a little store on Peck Street in Bluefleld in 1905. He was 
in business there about two years, and after that had charge 
of the grocery department of H. A. Lilly & Company until 
1915. In that year he again entered business for himself as 
a grocery merchant, at Jones and Bland streets, buying his 
store on credit from Mr. Lilly, the arrangement being that 
he was to pay $50 a month on the stock and equipment. He 
had a successful trade there, but sold out after five years, 
and then for a few months conducted a business at Mulling. 
In October, 1920, Mr. Ferguson resumed his business rela- 
tions with Bluefleld and at his present location. Owing to 
his many friends and wide acquaintance he was successful 
with the business from the very beginning. He has always 
insisted on a square deal, and his integrity as a merchant 
has brought him an honored place both in business and in 
civic circles.
In 1908 he married Miss Ocie Perdue, daughter of 
J. O. Perdue, of Brush Fork. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson 
have a son, Walter M., Jr., and their only daughter, Marie, 
died at the age of five years. They are members of the 
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Fergu- 
son is on its board of stewards. He is affiliated with the 
Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, is a democrat and a member of the Chamber of 
Commerce.

 
Submitted by Valerie F. Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net> 

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