The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1907-07-12
In Memoridm

tlaHAS AbA-44nS lIOul lI1t ShdN VI ILLS
all potent king"
Mr.. James Donald Ferguson paid
the ransom of life ten minutes to
nine O'Clock on the 9th day of May.
1907. after an illness extending over
five months. When realizing his all
ment was unusual he went to the
John hopkins hospital at Baltimore,
Nd. for Irea -uent. After an eXami-
nation by The physicians he was told
nothing could be done for him On
his return be- consulted a specialist at
Tampa whose verdict was too late"
Then il occurred TO him that the en-
inent and successful physician al Mi
canopy might relieve him. He de-
plOTed nor being consulted al the be
ginning uf ne growth of tumor. but
earnesfly and most skillfully combat
ted the disease and checked il. The
system could not assimilaIe nOUriSh-
ment sufficient to sustain the body at
the turning point for health and the
result eliminated on the foregoing
date. No martyr Of old bore with
more fortiJUdc the cross OF suffering
and brealhai more resignedly the
prayer Thy viii he done" He was
born al Emathla, Old Town. Marion
county, Florida, on the 18th day of
December, l>G3, and was the third
son OF the late Mir. Neil Ferguson
and Mrs. Nancy Brooks Ferguson,
who survives him. The youngest
BARN of the home. bereft of his father
at the age of eight years. grew TO
manhood unspoiled by the loving in
diligence Of Mother sisters and broth
ers, retaining through life the win
ming, gentle and kindly disposition
which endoared him to so many.
On the 18th day of November. 1887.
he was married TO Miss Mary Nola
Sistrunk, second daughter Of Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas J. Sistrunk. OF Eel
lowship. Fla, the Rev. ]. ROulac Off
ciating They made their home on
his inherited part of the Emathla |
plantation, endeared from earliest re-
membranes. and in which. after
twenty ideally happy welded years. |
he was privileged to enter into the /
life of eternity, blessing by his
presence and loving counsel this /
home for wife and sons. Donald Neil |
and Van Hood, whom together with /
his mother. Mrs. Neil Ferguson. sis
tiers. Mrs. l. l.. MOnthOlen Atkinson /
and Mrs Braatley A. WeatheTs, and /
brother, Mr.. Robert W. Ferguson, |
and many dear relatives cherish and |
revere the memory of true and no /
bic life, faithful 10 every duty. He
united 10y baptism with the Fellowship 1
Baptist church in 1898, and his up
right life makes doubly sure the as
snrance that He who loves the Lord |
shall inherit the kingdom of God"
He desired the Rev. Z. A. CTumptOn to
officiate at his burial. but he being alb /
sent and beyond reach of telegram.
he was laid To rest beside his first son. /
Thomas Orville Ferguson, in the Eel |
iowship Baptist church cemetery on
the morning of the 2Sth OF May. 1907, I!
with the solemn and impressive bur |
ial service of the Episcopal church. /
in the presence OF his dearest loved |
ones. many friends and associates
known throughout life. Beautiful |
and choice floral tributes testified 10 /
the remembrance by his friends OF
his hove for these fair gifts of the |
Creator. covering over the mound /
made sacred by the repOse of his
body.
The most admirable of his anceS- /
trail Scotch English and French traits |
of character were beautifully blended |
in his personality: his musical taste
with violin. guitar and banjo. accom-
panied by wife or son on piano filled !
many happy hours and soothed many |
hours of suffering. Wood carving and ,
cabinet work was almost a hobby, /
and his moments of "whittling" pro-
duced many presents which are cher
ished souvenirs. Being we'll read. .
close observer possessing the gift Of
narrative in Il most interesting de
gree. the fund of recollection of his .
visits 10 noted cities and amidst the
fairrst sections of the South land. .
yielded untold pleasure to many.
In 1882 h. was appointed notary
public for he state al large by Gov
Francis = Fleming. and reappoinred .
successive,y h- Governors BloNham
Mitchell. Nm :. Jennings ana y. b.
Browarj ami was appointed superyjS-
or of registration in the county of
Marion IN 1."I. by Governor VIM :.
Jeuuin1s. and r4arpOinted in 1905 10y
Governor Broward, leaving an UueN- I.
pired term.
Poor health alone prevented him
from taking an active part II the ser
vice Of his county and state, which
taste and ability eminently fitted him
for His life was brief as measured