BIOGRAPHY: Frank U. FERGUSON, M.D., Cambria County, PA
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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 315-6
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FRANK U. FERGUSON, M.D., a graduate of the Medico-Chirurgical College of
Philadelphia, and a physician of standing and practice at Gallitzin, is a son of
John and Sabilla (Kells) Ferguson, and was born near Blairsville, Indiana
county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1864. The Ferguson family is of Scotch
lineage, and in residence in Pennsylvania dates back to colonial days. Dr.
Ferguson's paternal grandfather, James Ferguson, was a son of the founder of the
family in Indiana county, this State.
James Ferguson was born and reared on his father's farm, where he passed
his life, and was engaged in farming and blacksmithing. He was a noted fox and
deer hunter, and married and reared a family of nine sons and three daughters.
Of his sons, one was John Ferguson, whose life was passed on the old-homestead
farm; he was a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen, who enjoyed company
and was noted for his open-handed hospitality.
Mr. Ferguson was a whig, and subsequently a republican in politics, and a
member of the Methodist church. He was born in May, 1828, and died suddenly of
heart failure May 22, 1895. The county press commented on his death, and one
paper, in an extended notice said: "The deceased was one of the old and highly
respected citizens of that community. He was an exemplary citizen, and fulfilled
well the various duties of life. He belonged to a sturdy stock, and his death
removes another of those robust figures that in this day are becoming only too
rare. We extend to the bereaved ones the assurance of our deepest sympathy. His
remains were interred in Hopewell Cemetery, Indiana county, but the memory of
such a husband and father will live in unfading greenness in the hearts of wife
and children.
"Mr. Ferguson married Sabilla Kells, whose father, Robert Kells, came with
his parents from Ireland, and was a noted boat-builder in the days of the old
canal."
Mrs. Ferguson, who still resides on the home-farm, was born at Livermore,
Westmoreland county, in 1844, and is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. And
Mrs. Ferguson reared a family of seven children: Dr. Frank U., Charles D., Mary,
Jennie, George, Rebecca, and James.
Dr. Frank U. Ferguson was reared on the old family homestead-farm in
Indiana county, received his education in public schools and Blairsville
academy, and then became a clerk in the drug stores of Milton C. Kerr, of
Blairsville, and Hetrick Brothers, of Indiana, and remained with them up to
1884, in which year he established his present drug house at Gallitzin (changed
to Ferguson & Reed in 1891). They have a handsome and well arranged
establishment, carry a large and carefully-selected stock of fresh and pure
drugs, and have a fine patronage.
He passed the State Board of Pharmacy in 1889. Beginning the study of
medicine in 1887 he entered the Medico-Chirurgical college of Philadelphia, from
which he graduated in the class of 1890, receiving favorable mention in all of
his branches, ranking third on general average.
He was elected president of his class, receiving every vote, and returned
to Gallitzin, where he formed a partnership in the practice of medicine with Dr.
E. T. Bradley, which existed until the autumn of 1892. Since that time he has
been practicing by himself.
On June 28, 1887, Dr. Ferguson married Margaret Bradley, a daughter of
Thomas Bradley, of Gallitzin. They have two children living: Paul H. and Arthur
A. Dr. Ferguson and his wife are both members of the Catholic church.
In politics Dr. Ferguson supports the principles of the Republican party,
but devotes his time largely to his profession and his business affairs. After
practicing for five years he returned to Philadelphia in 1895, and took a
polyclinic course, in order to keep abreast of the times in medical progress and
advancement.
Dr. Ferguson is one of the leading physicians in the eastern part of the
county, and has built up a practice of large proportions. He is a courteous
gentleman and useful citizen, is a member of the Cambria County and the
Pennsylvania State Medical societies, and well read in his profession, where he
has already met with such flattering success.
At the October meeting of the Cambria County Medical Society in 1896 Dr.
Ferguson was nominated for the presidency for 1897.