Biography of Charles Walker Ferguson - Wayne Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923. The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York. Volume II Pg. 473 CHARLES WALKER FERGUSON, prosecuting attorney of Wayne County, is one of the able young attorneys of this section, and one who has a brilliant future before him. Coming of a long line of honorable ancestors, he has always felt obligated to live up to the best traditions of his family, and is an honor to his name and to Wayne. He is a veteran of the World war, in which he made an admirable record as an instructor, and in every respect he measures up to the highest standards of American citizenship. Mr. Ferguson was born in Wayne County, West Virginia, December 30, 1892, a son of Lucian and Fannie P. (Ferguson) Ferguson, both natives of Wayne County. Lucian Ferguson was a merchant and farmer, and one of the leading men of Wayne County. He belonged to one of the pioneer families of the South, all of the members of which served in the Confederate army, and, further back, some bearing the name were Revolutionary soldiers. The maternal grandfather of Attorney Ferguson was Lieut. Sam J. Ferguson, of Company K, Sixteenth Virginia Infantry; and Judge Jimison Ferguson, an uncle of Lucian Ferguson, was colonel of this same regiment of the Confederate army. Mrs. Lucian Ferguson had two uncles in the army. John Ferguson was one, and he was killed in the battle of Gettysburg, and Harvey Ferguson, who was the other, was killed in Tennessee, and both were in the Confederate service. The family of Ferguson came into this region immediately succeeding the termination of the American Revolution, or in 1787, having served throughout that conflict, and settled about one mile north of Wayne. One of the Fergusons, known as "Pothead" Jim Ferguson, lived south of Wayne. He was noted for being the best shoemaker in the county, and while making shoes, studied law, and in time became the leading lawyer of his state. He framed the first code of laws for the State of West Virginia, was a member of the first constitutional convention of the state, and also a member of the State Legislature. The paternal grandfather of Charles Walker Ferguson, Charles W. Ferguson, was also a member of the constitutional convention. "Pothead" Ferguson died at Charleston, West Virginia, where through his efforts the capitol of the state was located. Charles Walker Ferguson was educated in the public schools of Wayne County, Oakview Academy, a private school conducted by T. B. McClure, Marshall College for four years, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he secured his degree of Bachelor of Arts and his degree of Doctor or Laws, being graduated from the law department in 1915. Admitted to the bar at Morgantown that same year, he began the practice of his profession, and in the fall of 1916 was elected prosecuting attorney of Wayne County, to which office he was re-elected in 1920. In May, 1918, Mr. Ferguson enlisted in the United States army for service during the World war, and was sent to the Officers' Training Camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, Field Artillery, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. After six months at Camp Lee he was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, as an instructor of the Officers' Central Training Camp, and remained there until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in December, 1918. He is still a member of the Officers' Reserve Corps. Returning to Wayne, he resumed the practice of law and his official duties as prosecuting attorney. Although one of the youngest men in the state to hold so responsible an office, he is one of the most fearless, and those who appreciate his ability declare that he will be heard of in state affairs before long. In November, 1919, Mr. Ferguson married Miss Shirley Burgess, a daughter of J. B. and Eria (Garrett) Burgess. Mr. Burgess is a farmer and merchant. Mr. Ferguson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a Blue Lodge, Chapter, Knight Templar and Shriner Mason, and belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Junior Order United American Mechanics, subordinate order of Odd Fellows, and the Uniformed Order of Encampment of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion, the Wayne County Bar Association, the West Virginia State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, and is active in all of these organizations. Mr. Ferguson is very proud of his family, and takes pleasure in tracing back his ancestry, not only in this country but in the old world, for the Fergusons are of honorable descent, of Scotch-Irish origin. Possessed of a striking and pleasing personality, Mr. Ferguson possesses the ability to make warm friends and to hold them close. As a lawyer he is logical, competent and resourceful; as a public official he is brave, alert and upright; and as a citizen he is zealous in discharging his responsibilities, and aiding in furthering the best interests of his city, county, state and country. Submitted by Pat C. Johns **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 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