The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-10-17

with the current number succeeding the organi-
cation of the Pioneer Association of Montana, the
New NORTH WEST presented the following sketch
Of James Fergus who was elected as the first Presi-
dent thereof. The edition having become exhausted
and receiving orders for more than we could supply
II is reproduced this week, and with 1t the portrait
Of Mr.. Fergus.-Ep. N. N.-W.I
The Pioneer Association made an eminent
" wise selection in placing at the head OF the
organization the man Of patriot heart and
patriarchal appearance, Hon. James Fergus,
of Meagher. The honor, for so he estesms
1t, and so it is to be the first President Of the
Pioneer Association Of Montana, was most
worthily bestowed. From one familiar with
his career, we have obtained the following
sketch of his life, and present it a. worthy at
any time a place in Montana history, and
especially en- his election to aposition which
crowns the ambitious of a busy and useful
life:
James Fergus was born in the parish Of
Glassford, Lancashire Scotland, on the 9Th
day of October, 1918. His parents were we'll
TODD farmers, owning some real estate; his
father rigid Presbyterian, his mother rather
liberal. After receiving very common
school education, mostly of a rslig GUS char
acter, he spent his time on the farm, noted
only for doing everything we'll and fond
ness for books, until he was nineteen, when,
seeing little chance in that country for
Young man to rise in the world, and longing
for less restraint and more liberty and equal
ity, lie sailed for the nited States by way OF
Canada, where he spent three years in
Quaker settlement and learned tho trade Of q
millwright. Getting involved in some polit-
ical trouble just before the Canadian rebel
lion, he left for the United States; spent one
summer on a public work at Green Bay,
Wisconsin, a few weeks at Milwaukee-then
an embryo town of a thousand inhabitants
1886; passed through Chicago, where he was
offered i60 acres of land, now in the center of
the city, at So an acre, on time; spent the
winter of 36 and ~ at Buffalo Grove, near
Dixon's Ferry; from there went into central
Iewa-then known as the "Blackhawk Pur-
chase" making his home at what is now Sa-
bula; built and superintended powder mills
at Savanna, Illinois; engaged in the foundry
business at Moline, first in company with ID.
b. Sears, then at the same place and at Rock
Island with General n. B. Buford, being the
acting and practical partner. Ill heath COM
peling him to quit the business, he was for
some time Of the firm Of Wheelock & Fergus,
paper manufacturers, Moline. Finally he
msved to Minnesota, in 1851. In company
with VIM Sturgis and Calvin A. futile, he
laid ont the town of Little Falls, on the Mis-
sissippi river, a hundred miles above st. An
thony Falls; helped to build dam and
bridge across the Mississippi at that place;
owned the town of Fergus Falls, failed, went
to Colorado, thence to Montana by way Of
Minnesota and the James L. Fisk expedi-
ton of 1862, driving his own team from Little
Falls to Bannack. He acted as the first Re-
corder Of Alder Gulch &C Virginia City, was
the first County Commissioner appointed in
the Territory, for Madison county; was for
many years a citizen of Lewis q Clarke
county, where he served nearly two terms as
Commissioner, one term in the Legislature,
and is now n citizen of Meagher county with
his home north of Fort Maglpnis, where he
is engaged in raising cattle horses and sheep.
He was member Of the Constitutional Con-
ventiea this year from that county; is a Re-
publican in politics, and liberal in religious
belief His main characteristics are natu-
raj aptitude for mechanical enterprises, .
sturdy independence of thought, strict in
tegrity Of purpose and love of study and
good books.
He was married to Parmelia Dillin, FORM
erly from Jefferson county, New York, at
Moline, Ills, March IL, 1915. They have
three daughters and one son. One daughter
is married to Mr. Il. S. Hamilton, Helena, one
to s. c. Fitzpatrick, Sheriff Of Lewis and
Clarke county, and one to Frank III. Maury,
now living with Mr.. and Mrs. Fergus. The
son Is unmarried.
Mr.. Fergus is a thoroughly honest man
the noblest wsrk of God-in every sense Of
the word. His character is as sturdy as the
mountains of his chosen home, and his life as
pure as the SHOWS that tip their submits.
With his children and children's children
near them, he and his good Old wife, typical
and most estimable pioneers, still live in the
mellow light of century, respected and
loved by all who know them. May James
Fergus be hailed in fellowship at many sue
ceeding convocations Of the Pioneers.