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JOHN H. FERGUSON, postmaster
at Germano, Harrison County, is a son of Vincent and Maryh (Amspoker)
Ferguson. Vincent was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Johnson)
Ferguson; Henry was a son of Henry, Sr., a native of Scotland, who
came to Indiana County, Penn., among the early settlers. He was the father
of five children, viz.: Samuel, John, Henry, Thomas and Joseph.
In 1802 Henry, Sr., came to Harrison County, Ohio, and settled in Green
Township, one mile west of Hopedale, where he entered quite a large tract of
land. Here he built a small log cabin, where he lived for a number of
years. Gradually the forests gave way to the strong, steady stroke of our
brave pioneer, till there appeared in their place fine meadow lands and green
pastures, and in course of time the primitive log cabin was replaced with a fine
brick residence. Henry, the younger, was born in Indiana County,
Penn., in 1788, and received his education in Indiana County, Penn., and in
Harrison County, Ohio. He grew to manhood on the farm in Ohio, where he
took an active part in clearing the land. In 1812 he served in the war
against Great Britain. About 1810 he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson,
and to this union were born six children, viz.: Vincent, deceased;
Samuel, deceased, John, who resides in Kansas; Isabelle,
deceased; Mary, deceased, and Eliza A. Hines, in Archer Township,
Harrison Co., Ohio. Henry Ferguson died at his home in Green
Township, Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1863, his wife having preceded him to the grave
in September, 1856; both were members of the Presbyterian Church for many years.
Vincent Ferguson was born in Green Township,
Harrison Co., Ohio, July 12, 1812, and was reared to manhood on the old farm,
receiving his education at the subscription schools of Green Township. On
Mar. 198, 1835, he married Mary Amspoker, who was born Dec. 21, 1816, a
daughter of Samuel and Mary (Norris) Amspoker, who came to Harrison
County, Ohio, in 1803, and settled five miles north of Cadiz. Samuel
Amspoker and his wife were parents of nine children: John,
Alexander, Samuel, Elizabeth, Susan, Mary, Sarah, Charles N. and James.
Vincent Ferguson was a tanner by trade, which he learned in Hopedale,
Ohio. Soon after his marriage he removed to Germano, where he engaged in
the tanning business, which he followed as long as his health would permit.
He was a member of the Seceder Church for a number of years, or till the union
in 1858, when he joined the United Presbyterian Church. He departed this
life May 20, 1876, and his widow is still living at the old home in Germano, in
the enjoyment of peace and comfort. To Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Ferguson
were born twelve children, viz.: Amelia, deceased; John H.,
our subject; Elizabeth, wife of Martin Overholt, residing in
Custer County, Neb.; Samuel J., Mary Jane and Rebecca A., all
deceased; Susan P., wife of Henry Redman, residing in Iowa;
Henry W., in Colorado; Sarah C., deceased; Etta R., living
with her mother.
Our subject was born in Germano, Harrison Co., Ohio,
Jan. 20, 1838, and received a Practical business education in Germano, learning
the trade of tanner under his father, at which he worked till the call for more
soldiers, Aug. 8, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and
Twenty-sixth Regiment, O. V. I.; in November, 1863, he was promoted to sergeant,
and was honorably discharged June 25, 1865. He then returned home and
bought one-half of the old tannery, but in 1881 this tannery was destroyed by
fire, since which time he has been engaged in buying and selling hides and
leather. On Oct. 6, 1881, Mr. Ferguson married Addie Plummer
who was born July 18, 1849, in Washington Co., Ohio, a daughter of Robert L.
and Charlotte (Faires) Plummer, and they have one child, J. Dorris,
born Mar. 30, 1890. In May, 1889, our subject was appointed postmaster at
Germano. He is a member of C. L. Duffield Post, G. A. R., No. 339, of
Germano, and he and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian Church.
Source:
Commemorative
Biographical Record of the Counties of Harrison and Carroll, Ohio
- Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. - 1891 - Page 129 |
