David Sanford FERGUSON

                   Published in the Willow Springs, Mo, News Thursday, March 5, 1936

DAVID FERGUSON, 82, OZARKS PIONEER AND BUILDER, SUCCUMBS

Last Rites for Local Resident Held Yesterday.

Father of Charles Ferguson and Mrs. John Protiva of This City Died Monday.

David Sanford Ferguson, 82, the community's best loved pioneer and father of Charles Ferguson and Mrs. Tenny Protiva of Willow Springs, died at his home here Monday following ill health of several weeks.

Uncle Dave Ferguson had been a resident of this community since 1871, a period of sixty-six years, during which time he saw Willow Springs grow from a tiny hamlet.

Born at Little Chucky, Greene Co, Tennessee, May 13, 1853, son of  William M. and Elizabeth (Hogan) Ferguson, he came with his parents to Willow Springs driving one of the ox teams which brought members of the family to Howell county.

The family was among the first settlers of Willow Springs, and the elder Ferguson was the town's first postmaster, to be followed many years later by his grandson, Charles Ferguson, in that capacity.

Uncle Dave Ferguson was a farmer and fruit grower, owning a large farm west of the city, and for many years a leader in community life.  In early manhood he was married to Miss Belle Young, also a member of a Willow Springs pioneer family and to them were born two sons, Charles Ferguson of Willow Springs and Joe Ferguson of Pawnee, Oklahoma, and two daughters, Mrs. Tenny Protiva of Willow Springs and Mrs. Eula Morgan of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, all of whom were at his bedside when he succumbed.

Both of the son's complimented their parents by becoming active in public life. Charles Ferguson, local merchant and Republican leader, has served as postmaster, been a member of the Howell County Court, a member of the State Highway Commission and in other offices.  Joe Ferguson, Oklahoma editor and newspaperman, formerly was a member of the state senate and is a prominent member of the Republican party in that state.

Mrs. Belle Ferguson died in 1914 and in 1930 Dave Ferguson and Mrs. Avis Smith were married.  She survives him.  He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Susie Harris of Blanchard, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Lillie Byars of Kelso, Washington; twelve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a number of other relatives.

He was a member of the Congregational Methodist church for over seventy years, and a prominent member of the Republican party here for many year

Services were held here Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Protiva, and friends from all over the state gathered to pay their respects.  Rev. M. A. Prater, long-time friend of the family, was in charge.  Burial was in the City Cemetery under direction of T. R. Burns & Son of this city.

In tribute, business houses of the city were closed during the funeral.

Among those from out-of-town who were present at the last rites were Blaine Jennings, Leonard Manze, Judge Will H. D. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Little, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Endicott, Oscar Davis, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Clark and Mrs. R. S. Hogan, all of West Plains; Harry Griffith, Jefferson City and Henry Smith, Hutton Valley.
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