The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-09-19
JAMES FERGUS.
President or the Montana Ptopser.


81 would rather occupy this position tian be
President of the United States"
The Pioneer Association made an emf
nently wise selection In placing ut the head
Of the organization the man of patriot heart
and patriarchal appearance, Hon. James
Fergus, Of Meagher. The honor, for so he
esteens 1t, and SO IL is, TO be the first Presi-
dent 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
IL as worthy at any time q place in Montana
history, and especially on his election to a
position which crowns the ambitions 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
well-to-do farmers, owning some real estate,
his father a rigid Presbyterian, his mother
rather liberal. After receiving a very COM
mon school education, mostly of a religious
character, he spent his time on the farm,
noted only for doing everything we'll and a
fondness for books, until he va, 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 equality, be sailed for the United States,
by way of Canada, where he spent three
years in Quaker settlement and learned
rah n mil lturf nht nAtt
in some political trouble just before the Cana.
dian rebellion, he left for the United States /;
spent one summer on public work at Green
Bay, Wisconsin, few weeks at Milwaukee
then an embryo town of thousand inhabf-
tants 1850; passed through Chicago, where
he was offered 100 acres Of land, now in the
centre Of the city, at So an acre, on time
spent the winter of '36 and '37 at Buffalo
Grove, near Dixon's Ferry from there went
into central Iowa-then known as the
"Blackhawk purchase" making his home at
what Is ROW Sabula; built and superinteu-
ded powder mills at Savanna, Illinois; en-
gagged in the foundry business at Moline, first
in company with d. B. Sears, then at the
same place and AZ Rock Island with General
N. B. Buford, being the acting and practical
partner. Ill health compelling him to quit
this business, he was for some time of the
firm of Wheelock & Fergus, paper manufac-
turers, Meline. Finally he moved to Min
nesota, in 1854. In company with VIM.
Sturgis and Calvin A. futile, he laid out the
town Of Little Falls, on the Mississippi river,
q hundred miles above St. Anthony Falls 4;
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 expedition of 1862,
driving his own OF team from Little Falls TO
Bannack. He acted as the first Recorder of
Alder Gulch at Virginia City, was the first
County Commissioner appointed in the Ter
ritory, for Madison county; was for many
years citizen of Lewis and Clarke county,
where he served nearly two terms as Com
missioner, one term in the Legislature, and
is now . citizen of Meagher county, with his
home north Of Fort Maginnis, where he is
engaged In raising cattle, horses and sheep.
He was . member of the Constitutional Con.
vention this year from that county; is q Re.
publican in politics, and liberal in religious
belief. His main characteristics are a natu-
raj aptitude for mechanical enterprises, q
sturdy independence of thought, a strict In
tegrity Of purpose and lover Of study and
good books.
He was married TO Parmelia Dillin, for.
merly from Jefferson county, New York, at
Moline, Ills, March IS, 1916. They have
three daughters and one son. One daughter
Is married to Mr.. R. s. Hamilton, Helena,
one to S. G. Fitzpatrick, Sheriff Of Lewis and
Clarke county, and one to Frank II. Marry,
now living with Mr.. and Mrs. Fergus. The
am IL unmarried.
Mr.. Fergus is q thoroughly honest man-
the noblest work 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, be 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.