Joseph Fergus

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 466-467:

Joseph Fergus

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 24, Post-office, Eldorado Springs)

   As a member of the first family to locate within the boundaries of Clear Creek township, Mr. Fergus is accorded a worthy and important place in the history of Vernon county.  A sketch of his parents and their children will be read with interest by the many to whom their name is familiar.  James Fergus, Joseph’s father, was born October 19, 1813, near Newburn, Va., as was also his wife, formerly Jemima Ingrum, her natal day being November 22, 1813; their marriage occurred November 5, 1835, immediately after which they started for Missouri, settling first in St. Clair county, for a year or so and then coming to Vernon, then a part of Bates county.  He (James) located where his son now resides, entering 440 acres of land upon his arrival in the fall of 1837, and at once commenced its improvement, putting up a cabin, etc., and tasting the bitter experiences of true pioneer life.  Here Mr. Fergus finally died October 13, 1859, sincerely mourned.  While this was a part of Bates county he was elected sheriff, and in 1859 he was re-elected, holding that position when he died.  The children of himself and wife besides Joseph were Virginia, who was the first child born in the township, born May 19, 1839; James I., born November 26, 1840; Margaret, born January 9, 1843; Elizabeth Ann, born October 20, 1845; Mary J., born October 3, 1848; and Edwin, born October 27, 1853.  Only an infant when brought to this county, Joseph grew up here and obtained such educational advantages as could be had, and during his father’s term as sheriff he acted as deputy.  In May, 1859, he took a trip to Colorado, but returned a week before his father’s death, after which, as the eldest of the family, he assumed charge of the home farm.  During the war he took part in the fight at Lexington though physical disability prevented his serving regularly, and owing to the destruction of almost all the property about home he removed the family to a place of safety, first in Cooper and then in Howard county, his mother having previously died March 30, 1862.  While in the former county he was captured by the Federal troops and held as a prisoner at Sedalia for five weeks, also being taken prisoner at Calhoun and robbed of his horse and started out on foot.  In the spring of 1864 Mr. Fergus went to Boise City, Idaho, engaged in mining, and in May, 1866, left for Montana, arriving at Helena on July 4, where he remained two years, part of the time being employed on a ranch and also in a butcher shop, with a very meager mining experience interspersed.  In the summer of 1868 he left for home and finally reached here in October, his marriage occurring sometime after.  Miss Margaret E. Broom then became his wife, her birth having taken place in North Carolina July 25, 1849.  Her parents, Noah and Louisa Broom, nee Steigall, who were married in 1846, were also natives of North Carolina.  Mr. and Mrs. F. have had two children:  Ida May, born September 8, 1871, died March 5, 1875, and Charlie Quantrell, born May 24, 1874.  In politics Mr. Fergus is a Democrat.  He is a good citizen and a man well respected.

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