W.F. Ferguson,of the firm of W.F. Ferguson & Co. a popular dry-goods firm in Sault Ste. Marie MI has been identified iwth this city since 1888. His training having been in the boot and shoe trade, he opened a stock in that line at 80 Ashmun street, and conducted that business until the organization of the present firm and the erection of its building. They carry a $25,000 stock. Their annual business is exceeded by only one dry-goods house in the Soo and their financial rating gilt-edged and among the best in the city.

Mr. Ferguson was born in Ontario, Nov. 10, 1866 a son of Adam Ferguson. He was educated in the Bay City schools, and at 16 began hismercantile career as clerk for F.J. Mariontate, a dry-goods, boot and shoe man at Bay City. Upon the failure of his employer and the purchase of hte stock by Burnham, Stoepell & Co. of Detroit, Mr. Ferguson was employed to manage the business and remained with them 3 years.

March 15, 1892 Mr. Ferguson married in Sault Ste. Marie to Gussie Adams, and they one child, Clarence N. aged 2 years.

Mrs. Fergusons father, R.N. Adams is a leading business man in this city, a real estate dealer and capitalist. He was born in Hastings County Ontario May 13, 1844 and was a farmer until he embarked in real estate here in 1888. He came to the U.S. in 1879 with some means, and bought a farm of 157 acres adjoining the town siteof Sault Ste. Marie, which land he improved and cultivated. He has dealt quite extensively in realty here, and is the holder of a large amount of property at present without the frequent attendant embarrassments following the collapse of a boom. He is interested with W.F> Ferguson & Co., is a stockholder in the First Natl. Bank here and a member of the School Board and a Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church. He takes a citizens interest in politics, fraternizes with the Republicans. His parents were John and Ann Newton) Adams, the former a native of Cheshire England and the latter of Sligo, Ireland. Mrs Ferguson's mother was Elizabeth Ann Carr a daughter of Rev. George Carr of Yorkshire England. Mr.a nd Mrs. Adams wer married June 19, 1868 and are the parents of the following children - George H., Mrs. Ferguson, John N.E. Gertrude, Clement L. and Lillian. They are members of the Methodit Episcopal Church.
Northern Pennisula 1895 Portraits & Biographical Pg 268