William Milo FERGUSON

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On 8 October 1928, Thomas Jefferson Ferguson, age 79 and son of William Milo and Elizabeth HOGAN Ferguson and husband of Missouri Anne HARRIS Ferguson died at Willow Springs. A partial obituary from the Willow Springs Advocate is as follows:
:Immigrated with his parents to Missouri in the fall of 1871, and settled near the present site of Willow Springs.  He was united in marriage to Missouri Anna (sic) Harris April 11, 1875. To this union eight children were born, four of whom are living, three being present at time of death.
He is survived by his wife and four sons: Oscar, Claude and Carl of Willow Springs and Ollis who resides in El Paso, Texas. In addition to this immediate family he is survived by a brother, D.S. Ferguson of this place and two sisters, Mrs. J.M. Harris, Blanchard, Oklahoma and Mrs. Price Byers of Tacoma, Washington also numerous other relatives and friends.

The cause of death of Thomas Jefferson Ferguson was listed as Valvuler                on the Death Certificate which was signed by Dr. S.E. Haycraft.



Ferguson, Thomas J.    1 Nov. 1884                  Rec. Dec. 90
     Missouri Land Office: Ironton        Homestead F.C. 2472
     SW 1/4 SW 1/4 Sec. 25 and S 1/2 SE 1/4 and SE 1/4 SW 1/4 Se
     T27N R10W 5th PM
                  

                   [Ferguson-Young-Lovan-Myers-Knott.FTW]

On 28 February 1927, James Alexander Ferguson, age 74 and son of William Milo and Elizabeth HOGAN Ferguson and husband of Arenia Parthena FEATHERINGILL Ferguson, died at Willow Springs, Missouri. His obituary is as follows:

    "JAS. A. FERGUSON PIONEER CITIZEN PASSES AWAY

James A. Ferguson, age 74 years died at his home in Willow Springs, Monday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. Mr. Ferguson was a pioneer citizen of Willow Springs, having moved here from Tennessee in 1871. About 35 years ago he engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Ferguson, Lucas and Kennedy. Since that time he has been engaged in the insurance business. Besides a wife he is survived by two sons and two daughters, J. Bryant and Homer Ferguson of Willow Springs and Mrs. Lissie Gooch of Willow Springs  and Mrs. Myrtle Gaily of Quinter, Kansas. He is also survived by two brothers, D.S. and T.J. Ferguson of Willow Springs, and two sisters, Mrs. Lillie Byers of Washington, and Mrs. Susie Harris of Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at the home at 2:30 o'clock. A complete obituary will appear in next weeks issue
                  

                   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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                   On 14 August 1925, Emanuel Clark "Uncle Colonel" Ferguson, age 75 and son of William Milo and Elizabeth HOGAN Ferguson and husband of Bertha LOFTIS Ferguson, died at Willow Springs, Missouri. His obituary is as follows:
     "WILLOW SPRINGS PIONEER IS DEAD
     Emanuel Ferguson had lived here since 1871

"Colonel" Ferguson, as he is known to friends and relatives, died Friday morning at five o'clock at his residence one mile north of Willow Springs. He had been in poor health for several weeks, and his death was not a surprise to friends and relatives. His wife and son, J.W. Ferguson, who is employed with the Frisco Railway at Chaffee, Missouri, and his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Lutrell of Springfield, were at his bedside at the time of his death.

Mr. Ferguson is one of the old settlers, coming to Howell County from Tennessee in 1871 with his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W .M. Ferguson, who settled and resided in this community until their deaths.
Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Bertha Loftis in 1895 and only two children were born to this union. Besides his wife and children, he leaves three brothers, James A. Ferguson, T.J. Ferguson and Dave Ferguson, all of Willow Springs and two sisters, Mrs. S.E. Harris of Oklahoma and Mrs. S.E. Byers of Washington.

The old settlers are pretty well all gone and it has been quite interesting to know these four brothers, who have lived here practically all their lives and most of the time have enjoyed good health. We are sure we express the sentiments of the entire community in saying Mr. Ferguson will be missed very much by friends and relatives who knew him.