Ferman Gilbert Pugh
donated Barbara Ziegenmeyer
Obit
Education Patron Succumbs at home. —Cumberland News Ferman Gilbert Pugh, 78, for over a half century identified with commercial, banking, civic and educational advancement in the city, died at 5 a. m. today. He was unmarried and made his home with his sister, Mrs.. Oliver S. Wilson, 15 south Liberty street. He attended a meeting of the directors of the Commercial Savings Bank last Friday night. Sunday he was taken ill and never rallied.
Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Maud P. Wilson, widow of Oliver S. Wilson, and Mrs. Florence P. Deetz, wife of William R. Deetz, this city.
A native of Hampshire county W. Va., Mr. Pugh came with his parents, Solomon J. and Margaret E. McDonald Pugh, to Cumberland in 1872. His father had served in the Confederate army.
Ferman G. Pugh as a young man became a clerk in the store of Lucius M. Shepherd, dry goods merchant, this city. Later, with Oliver S. Wilson, his brother-in-law, he established the wholesale hardware firm of Wilson & Pugh, South George street, which he continued to devote his time in the last forty five years, first as traveling salesman, and later as president and manager. He was identified with a number of local enterprises, including the Maryland Shoe Company, a wholesale firm until its dissolution. He was one of the organizers of the Commercial Savings Bank, served as a director, and later as president.
He never was a candidate for public office, but served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Education for several terms, being first appointed by Governor Emerson C. Harrington. He was always interested in the advancement of public education and offered awards for debating contests held annually in the county high schools.
In politics, he was a Democrat, and was a contributor to its party campaign funds.
Fraternally, he was a Thirty second Degree Mason. He was a member of Ohr Lodge, No. 131, A. F. & A. M., as well as other Masonic bodies, including Antioch Commandry, No. 6, Knights Templar, and Ali Ghan Temple, Mystic Shrine, Mr. Pugh was an official member of Centre Street Methodist Episcopal Church.