California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 JAMES GORDON FERGUSON was the first settler of the now thriving town of Clovis. Coming here with 
the Fresno Flume and Irrigation Company in 1894, he found nothing but vacant fields, and where now 
stands a town of fifteen hundred people there was not a single house. Soon after his arrival he 
erected a residence, which was the first one built here. Thus it was that a native of old England 
became the pioneer of one of the thriving towns in the San Joaquin valley. At an early age he started 
out in life by entering one of the greatest financial institutions in the world, the Bank of Liverpool. 
Subsequently he lived in Australia and for several years has been prominently identified with the 
lumber industry of our own state. 

Born in England, James Gordon Ferguson first saw the light of day in the city of Liverpool, on May 31. 
1861. His father, Capt. James Ferguson, was a native of Scotland and as a boy went to sea. As time 
passed he was promoted from one position to another until finally he was made captain of one of the 
large vessels owned by the famous Cunard line. Practically his entire life was spent as a sailor in the 
trans-Atlantic trade. His death occurred in Liverpool. In young manhood he was united in marriage 
with Helen Kerr Fead, also a native of Scotland, and who is also deceased. 

The early life of Mr. Ferguson was spent in the city of his birth. His common school education was 
supplemented by a course in the Liverpool College, from which institution he was graduated in 1876. 
Soon after he secured a position in the counting room of the Bank of Liverpool. By industry and a strict 
attention. to his duties he was finally promoted, and in 1883 when he resigned he was one of the 
tellers, a very responsible position. Following his resignation, Mr. Ferguson immigrated to Australia, 
where he engaged in the shipping and forwarding business, being located in the city of Sydney. While 
living there he was united in marriage with Miss Ada Florence Bond, a native of the same city, whose 
father, Thomas Bond, was born in England. After his emigration to Australia he entered the mines, 
which occupation he followed for several years, or until his death. 

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Ferguson disposed of his interests in Australia and with his bride came to 
California, arriving in San Francisco July 8, 1886. His first position was with Harpst & Spring, prominent 
lumber dealers in Humboldt county. Not long after he was offered a position in San Diego as head 
bookkeeper with the Russ Lumber Company, which he accepted. There he remained until 1S89, when 
he returned to San Francisco and entered the employ of Pope & Talbot as cashier and office manager. 
Three years later he resigned to accept a position in Fresno with the San Joaquin Lumber Company, 
with whom he continued as head bookkeeper and cashier until the organization of the Fresno Flume 
and Irrigation Company. This was the position that brought him to Clovis, and since then he has 
continued in their employ, being head bookkeeper and cashier. 

In addition to his regular duties Mr. Ferguson has taken an active part in political matters and was 
postmaster of Clovis for two terms. He has also served as a member of the board of school trustees 
since its organization and was responsible for the erection of the first grammar school building. As a 
member of the county central committee he is influential in county politics, being considered one of 
the leading representatives of his party. Quite prominent in fraternal circles, he is a member of the 
Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Brotherhood, the Ancient Order United Workmen and 
the St. Andrew's Society. Mr. Ferguson has made a splendid success of his life. Obstacles have been 
met and overcome with a determination that would withstand no opposition. He has not only made 
for himself a comfortable competence, but has gained a position in the world of which he may well 
feel proud. It is a pleasure for us to present our readers with the review of such men's lives, as there is 
much written here that is worthy of emulation.