ROBERT FERGUSON, a well-known pioneer of Waddams Township, is now a retired farmer residing in Lena. He is the son of Samuel and Phoebe (Leonard) Ferguson, and was born in Summit County, Ohio, Oct. 20, 1822. His grandfather, who was of Scottish parentage, was a pioneer of Washington County, Pa., where he cleared and improved a farm, and where his death occurred. Samuel Ferguson was born in that county, and about the year 1815 removed to Ohio. It was in the early days, and the journey was made by the slow and wearisome process of teams. On his arrival there he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land in Summit County, which he cleared of the dense forest by which it was covered, and after it was cultivated and improved, sold it and purchased another tract, which was partially cleared. After improving and cultivating this farm, he sold again in 1856 and came to Stephenson County, where he purchased 200 acres of land in West Point Township. Here he spent the closing years of his life, dying in 1857. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church when a young man, and was an Elder for thirty years prior to his death. He was twice married. Of the first marriage seven children were born, all of whom are now living. He was united in marriage the second time with Miss Julia Craven, who became the mother of one child, and her death occurred in West Point Township. The following is the family record: Robert; Caleb L. died in Ohio in 1886; Lydia, now Mrs. Hayes, is a resident of Lagrange County, Ind.; Sarah, Mrs. Hayes, is a resident of Hardy, Neb.; Polly, Mrs. Hefelman, is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; Louisa, Mrs. Rodebough, is a resident of Winslow; Elizabeth, Mrs. Hayes, is a resident of Akron, Ohio; Phoebe, Mrs. Daniels, is a resident of Lincoln, Neb.

Robert Ferguson, our subject, assisted his father in pioneer life, burning brush, rolling logs, and otherwise aiding in clearing and improving the land. He remained with his father, engaged with him in farming, until 1849, and in September of that year started for the West, accompanied by his wife and two children. They made the journey with a wagon and four horses, and at night Mr. Ferguson usually found shelter for his wife and children at some farm house, while he slept in the wagon. After a long and fatiguing journey of eighteen days they arrived in Stephenson County, and purchased a tract of land in Waddams Township of W. W. Robey at $4 per acre. Forty acres of this was broken, but was neither fenced nor supplied with any kind of dwelling, not even a log cabin. He rented a house in the vicinity for a few months, and then built one on his own place in primitive fashion, and furnished it partly with home-made furniture, in the construction of which various barrels and boxes, which contained their household goods, were converted into marvelously comfortable arm-chairs, sofas, bureaus and beds. He remained here cultivating and improving his place, and when a good opportunity offered, sold it and purchased another tract, containing 160 acres, on section 10 of the same township. There was a small house already located on this place, and five acres were broken. He brought this entire tract to a high state of cultivation, erected excellent frame buildings, and adorned the grounds surrounding his house with fruit and shade trees. Desiring relief from the care and responsibility of the farm, he rented it out in 1884 and purchased his pleasantly situated residence in Lena.

Our subject's marriage to Miss Mary Kerr took place in May, 1846. She was a native of Washington County, Pa., and the following is a record of the children born of this union: Julia became the wife of Andy Kerr, and resides in Craighead County, Ark; Myra became the wife of Henry Garman, and resides in Hardy, Neb.; Sarah E. became the wife of J. Barker, and resides in Jo Daviess County, Ill.; Levi lives on the old homestead; James resides in Merrick County, Neb; William lives at home; George resides in Craighead County, Neb., and Franklin and Mary are both living at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson are highly esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ferguson is a Republican in politics.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 671