Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-04-11
MIR. Fergus Died Last Friday Morn
ing After Several Months of
iii Health.
WAS WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED
By His Attractive and HoSpitable
Personality lie had Gained
Many Friends.

William Fergus died at three O'Clock
last Friday morning at his home on
Box Elder after several months grad
ual decline of the vital powers brought
on by old age. Mr.. Fergus was y
years Of age at the time Of his death
and has been since 1882 identified with
the history Of Fergus county.
He was the brother Of the Hon.
James Fergus and is of scotch decent,
being born in Lanarkshire in Scotland,
where for many years he made liv-
ing by farming leased lands. His
parents were Andrew and Christine
Fergus, branch of the Fergus fam
lily who were so prominent in Scotch
history during the latter end of the
sixteenth century.
In 1862 Mr.. Fergus Married Miss
Helen Hamilton in Lanarkshire and
she helped him build up his fortunes
in Montana by her practical assistance
and sympathy until her death in 1892.
There are eight children, four sons
and fours daughters, left to mourn the
death Of parent whose kindness of
heart was proverbial; they are: Mar
garet, Mrs. John B. Rauch: Christine
H., Mrs. David Hilger: Agnes P, Mrs.
L. Landru, Mrs. Nellie Romanstead;
William, Robert, James and Andrew.
The children we're born in Scotland
and it was in 1882 that Mr.. Fergus ac-
companied by his entire family, sailed
from Glasgow for the unknown reg
ions of the great western states of
Americr. After pleasant voyage
they journeyed to Bismarck and from
thence to Claggett. The latter part
of this trip was made on a river boat
on the Missouri and on their arrival
they were welcomed by James Fergus
who had already achieved good stprt
in the section of the country which
now bears his name. The location of
the present family residence on Box
Elder was secured by purchasing the
Improvements from one Nelse Streyer
who relinquished his rights for "a NOM
inal sum. The family worked tOgeth-
er harmoniously and by dint of hard
work and steady application, built up
what is today a magnificent property,
consisting of, in the neighborhood of
10000 acres.
The ranch of William Fergus &
Sons, on Box Elder, Dog creek and
Armells is one Of the largest stock
ranches in the state of Montana. In
the neighborhood of 10000 sheep, 400
head Of horses and six hundred head
of cattle are run on the many thous-
ands of acres owned by the company
and the success which has attended
Mr.. Fergus from his first arrival in
Fergus county is the direct result OF
his business acumen and vigorous per-
sonality.
Mr.. Fergus was known to every old
timer in the county and state and
his death is deplored by many friends
who knew the value of his friendship
and personal worth. With true
Scotch hospitality his doors were open
to his friends and his liberality in
personal and church matters is to
we'll known to need comment.
Though not actively interested in poll
tics Mr.. Fergus always had the Inter-
ests of the county and state at heart
and has lent valuable aid in the build
ing up of the county especially in the
section in which he lived.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Fergus were
members of the Presbyterian church
faom early childhood and the funeral
services were conducted at the home
of the family on Box Elder. The
Rev. Quickenden, pastor of the Pres
byterian church of Lewistown con
Quoted the services and the morta
remains of Mr.. Fergus were inferred
in the family cemetery.
In the neighborhood of sevent.
people attended the funeral ceremon
les at Box Elder on Sunday afternoon
including all the children of the de
ceased with the exception of Mrs
Landru who is now in Florida. Tn
entire neighborhood turned out t.
pay the last respects to William Fer
gus who was generally beloved b.
those with whom he came in contact