Butte County
Biographies
ROBERT J. FERGUSON
ROBERT J. FERGUSON.—The pioneers of Butte County
laid a solid foundation not only for its past but for its present prosperity.
Among the pioneers of 1857 is Robert James Ferguson. His father, John Ferguson,
was a farmer. Because of ill health he was advised to come to California. In
1857 a party was made up to cross the plains with ox teams. He joined this
party, accompanied by his wife and two sons. The hardships of the journey
proved too great for him. He died en route and was buried on the plains. An
uncle and aunt of Robert Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Sanders,
were also of the party. At a junction, after leaving Salt Lake, the train was
divided. James J. Sanders, who had crossed the plains in 1853,
insisted on traveling by what he deemed a better as well as a safer route, so
the train split, a part taking his advice and coming through with him as
captain. He was accompanied by his wife, his two nephews and their mother.
Captain Sanders’ judgment proved correct, as the others were among the
ill-fated party of the Mountain Meadow massacre.
The widow Ferguson, with her two sons,
Robert James, the elder, and his brother Jeremiah, came to Millville, Shasta
County, where she bought a ranch on Big Cow Creek. Two years later she married
William W. White, who was born in Benton County, Ark. The mother died
about 1867, leaving two children by her first husband and three by her last
marriage. Mr. Ferguson’s brother Jeremiah died at Centerville in 1875.
Bob Ferguson, as he is familiarly called,
attended school while in Shasta County. In 1871 he came to Dayton, Butte
County, where he attended school during the winter months, afterward being
employed at ranching. In 1880 he located a homestead two miles below
Centerville, in due time proving up his claim and securing a government deed to
it. An attempt was made by Freeman Martin to claim title to the homestead as
mineral land. The decision of the court being against Martin, he appealed to
the Secretary of the Interior, where Mr. Ferguson’s title was sustained. A
little later another party laid claim to it as mineral land, but Mr. Ferguson’s
title was again sustained. He planted an orchard and improved the property in
other ways, although his principal business was raising stock. He purchased an
additional eighty acres, the old Sanders homestead, which, together with twenty
acres of his original holding, he later on sold to a dredger company. About
eight years ago he sold the rest of his land to Jack Fields. He ran a
fruit-wagon through the Sierra Mountains to Honey Lake Valley for fourteen
seasons, bringing on his return trip honey, butter and cheese. This business
proved both pleasant and profitable. Fifteen years ago he discontinued the
fruit business and began teaming and was road overseer from Nimshew
to two miles below Centerville, also school trustee at Centervile
for eight years. On May 10, 1907, he located in Chico and began his
present business. He has a large barn and feed stable and conducts a successful
hay, grain and feed business. He owns about one acre on Little Chico, at Main
and Humboldt Streets, and has a store and other buildings which he rents.
Mr. Ferguson married Miss Bertha Hintz,
who was born at Centerville and is the daughter of an old pioneer. He is the
father of seven sons, six of whom are living: Harry Lee, who is clerking in
Chico; Walter Cleveland, who is in the employ of the Diamond Match Company;
Fred, who died at the age of eleven years; Charles, who is associated with his
father in business; Frank, Robert James, and Chester are members of
Company I, One Hundred Fifty-ninth California Infantry, stationed at Camp
Kearny.
Mr. Ferguson is a prominent member of the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; and in politics he is
a Democrat. During his residence in Chico he has made many warm friends. He is
a man of sterling integrity and is highly respected by the entire community.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
05 August 2009.
Source:
"History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 1228-1229, Historic Record Co, Los
Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2009 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies