JAMES H. FERGUSON, a representative farmer of South Strabane township, is a son of Harvey W. Ferguson, whose father was a native of County Down, Ireland. The latter came to America when a young man, and made a permanent home in Allegheny county, Penn., where he married and the following children were born to him: Mary, Elizabeth, Harriet, David, James, Harvey W., Robert and Hugh. Mr. Ferguson was an active member of the Federalist and Whig parties, and in religion was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Perrysville. Harvey W. Ferguson was born in 1820, on the home farm in Allegheny county, Penn., and received his education at the home schools. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Grisella, a daughter of Robert McElhany, a native of Scotland, whose family consisted of three daughters; he was an active member of the Whig party, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. The young couple settled on the McElhany farm, where they remained four years, thence removing to the home farm. In politics Mr. Ferguson is an active worker in the Republican party, and has been a school director many years. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Sharpsburgh, Allegheny Co., Penn., in which congregation he has been an elder twenty years. James H. Ferguson was born in Allegheny county, Penn., on the home farm still occupied by his father, and passed his earlier youth at home, attending the common schools. He afterward entered Newell's Institute, Pittsburgh, and remained there two years. On December 24, 1875, he was united in marriage with Ollie Newton, daughter of J. T. McDonald, of Allegheny county, Penn., and five children have been born to them: Frank (deceased ), Alice, Maggie, Travis and Hannah. After his marriage Mr. Ferguson remained in Allegheny county until 1879, when he came to his present farm, consisting of 118 acres of good land, and upon which he has made many improvements. His home is thirty-two feet square, and the barn is 60 by 40. He is engaged in farming and stock raising, and has recently embarked in the dairy business. In political opinion Mr. Ferguson is a Republican, and an active worker in that party. The family are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Washington.

Text taken from page 1120 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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