5.7.3. Robert James Ferguson (1884-1912)

Robert James Ferguson (1884 ~ 1912)

5.7.3. Third child of Sarah Adams and Samuel Ferguson, Robert James Ferguson, was born May 16, 1884, W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario.

He married Mary Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Charles Metcalfe Smith and Annie McLenaghan Ramsbottom, December 23, 1908, Arthur Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario and had two children:

(5.7.3.1) Robert Nelson (1911 ~ 1949)
(5.7.3.2) Samuel James (1912 ~ 1983)

Robert J. Ferguson died August 30, 1912, aged 28 years in W. Luther Twp., Ontario and Mary E. Smith Ferguson Moore died February 28, 1977, aged 89 years in Harriston, Ontario, and are interred at Mount Forest Cemetery.

----- MARRIAGE -----

Ferguson—Smith

A very pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith, 1st concession of Arthur, on Wednesday, December 23, 1908, when their daughter, Mary, was married to Mr. Robert Ferguson of the 18th concession of Luther. A large company assembled to witness the ceremony which was preformed by Rev. David Smith, of Conn. The bride’s dress was cream silk trimmed with white Liberty satin and over lace and carried a bouquet of white carnations and maiden hair fern. The bridesmaid was Miss Maggie Ferguson, sister of the groom, and wore a pretty dress made of cream figured lustre trimmed with white ribbon and over lace. After the ceremony solos were rendered by Mr. Ernest Jackson, a visitor from Winnipeg. A very large company sat down to a well spread supper. Mount Forest Confederate, Jan. 7, 1909.

----- OBITUARIES -----

Robert J. Ferguson

The death of Mr. Robert Ferguson, which took place at his father’s residence on Friday, August 30, 1912, came as a sudden shock to this community, as he was hale and hearty up till Tuesday previous when he was attached with inflammation of the bowels. Three doctors were in attendance, with trained nurses, to no avail and he passed peacefully away on Friday evening at 8 o’clock. He leaves behind him his wife and one child, a lad of about 2 years also his parents and 4 sisters and 5 brothers. He was highly respected by all who knew him a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. His pastor, Rev. S. H. Moyer conducted the services at both the house and the grave. His funeral took place Monday to the Mount Forest cemetery followed by upwards of one hundred vehicles, showing the esteem in which he was held by all those who knew him. The pallbearers who lowered his body to its last resting place were, Andrew Morrison, Fred Gear, William Adams, George McFarlane, Albert Harbottle, Minor Donald. We extend our sympathy unto those who are left behind to mourn the loss of one whom they held so dear.

A dear husband, brother, and father has been called away

Those who are left behind him, feel sorrowful and sad;

But what a consolation, that he trod the narrow way,

And now he is only waiting to welcome and make glad. Mount Forest Confederate, Sept. 12, 1912.

Mary E. Smith Ferguson Moore

December 2, 1887 ~ February 28, 1977

Mrs. Mary E. Moore passed away February 28, 1977, in the Geri-Care Nursing Home, Harriston. Born in Lanark County in 1887, she was the former Mary Elizabeth Smith, daughter of the late Annie Ramsbottom and Charles Smith. She was a member of the United Church.

In 1908 she married Robert James Ferguson who predeceased her in 1912. She was predeceased by one son, R. Nelson in 1949 and by three brothers and three sisters: John, Bob and Tom; Clara (Mrs. Dan Eccles), Bertha (Mrs. Duncan Keith) and Pearl in infancy. Surviving are one son, S. James Ferguson, Mount Forest; three grandsons, Robert J. (Eddie), Leverne and Larry and 13 great-grandchildren.

In 1930 she married Charles G. Moore who predeceased her in 1958. Surviving her also are two step-children, Nelson Moore and Ruby (Mrs. Harold Rachar), six step-grandchildren and 19 step great-grandchildren.

The funeral and commital were held at Hendrick Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. Rev. George Wright officiated.

Honourary pallbearers were George Ferguson, Wilfred Renwick, James Feairs, Donald Ferguson, Norman Rachar and Vernon Smith. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 10, 1977.

Charles M. Smith

January 5, 1848 ~ October 5, 1924

There passed away after an illness of three weeks at his home near Conn on the evening of October 5, 1924, Mr. Charles Smith.

Mr. Smith was born in Lanark, Lanark Co., near Clayton, 77 years ago. In 1883 he married Annie Ramsbottom, of Lanark. They settled on a farm near Rosetta, moving to Arthur some years later, where they had lived ever since.

A family of seven children were born to them of whom six survive: John and Robert, of Luther; Mrs. Mary Ferguson, at home; Thomas on the homestead; Clara, Mrs. Dan Eccles of Luther; Bertha, Mrs. Duncan Keith, Owen Sound Road, Arthur; and Pearl, deceased.

In politics he was a Conservative and a member of the Orange Order. In religion he was a Presbyterian.

The funeral took place from his late residence to Mount Forest Cemetery, Rev. Mr. Walker, officiating.

Those from a distance attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Dave Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Rev. Mr. Lewin, all of Brussels; Rev. and Mrs. Treanor, of Arthur; Mrs. James Eccles, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Eccles of Holstein.

The floral offerings were: The Broken Circle, from the family; Gates ajar, from the nephews at Brussels; Sprays from the grandchildren, and Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Allan.

The pallbearers were his three sons, two sons-in-law, and brother-in-law. Mount Forest Confederate, Oct. 16, 1924.

Annie M. Ramsbottom Smith

November 13, 1860 ~ June 26, 1928

On Tuesday evening, June 26, 1928, after a long and trying illness there passed away a very highly respected resident of this place in the person of Mrs. C. M. Smith. The late Mrs. Smith was born in the Township of Lanark on November 13, 1860, and was therefore 67 years, 9 months and 13 days old. In December of the year 1883 she was married to Mr. C. M. Smith, also of Lanark, where they lived for a number of years before moving to Arthur Township in the year 1894, where Mr. Smith died three years ago last October. Seven children were born to the union, all of whom survive except the youngest (Pearl) who died in infancy. The late Mrs. Smith was a woman of sterling qualities and a true homemaker and the happiest hours of her life were spent on occasions when she could have her family all gathered around her in the old home. In religion Mrs. Smith was a Presbyterian and the funeral service on Friday was conducted by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Mercer, both at the home and at the grave. The remains were interred in the Mount Forest Cemetery. Many and beautiful were the floral tributes which were borne by seven of the grandchildren of the deceased. The children who are left to mourn the loss of a most kind and devoted mother are: John, Robert and Clara (Mrs. D. Eccles) all of West Luther; Thomas and Mary (Mrs. Ferguson) at home; and Bertha (Mrs. Duncan Keith) of Arthur Tp. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Mr. and Mrs. David Smith and son, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith, all of Brussels; John and Finlayson Ramsbottom of Lanark, brothers of deceased; Mr. Cochrane, of Waterloo; Mrs. Anderson and Miss Elsie Black, of Kitchener. The pallbearers were three brothers, John, William and Finlayson Ramsbottom, and three nephews, David, Robert and Joseph Smith. Mount Forest Confederate, July 5, 1928.

James Smith

1787 ~ May 19, 1882

Nearly a Centenarian. On Friday, May 19, 1882, at the residence of his son, on the 10th Concession, Lanark, Mr. James Smith, died aged 95 years.

The deceased was born in County Carlow, Ireland in the year 1787 and was old enough to recollect many of the memorable scenes and events of the close of the eighteen and commencement of the nineteen century.

Mr. Smith at the age of 31 immigrated to Prescott, where he married in the year 1820 and his widow is now 86 years of age. In the same year the couple moved to the farm on which the patriarch died and on which he has lived over sixty years and in cultivation and improvements of which he spent the strength and vigour of manhood, being one of the first settlers in the township.

The deceased was an adherent of the English church, a Conservative in politics and was respected by his neighbours and was followed to the grave by a large number of friends and aquaintenances on Sunday last.

Though for the last few years the deceased has been very feeble, yet he was able to walk around, never knowing a days sickness, until he was too old to work.

The aged son of toil, kept about until Saturday, May 13th, when he took to his bed and just one week from that day, he died.

His widow is a sister of George and Robert Tennant Esquires of the Township of Lanark and mother of fourteen children – eight boys and six girls all of whom are living. Almonte Gazette, May 26, 1882.

Eliza Tennant Smith

September 15, 1799 ~ April 30, 1899

In Lanark Twp., April 30, 1899, Mrs. Eliza Smith, in her 100th year. She was born in County Carlow, Ireland, September 15, 1799, Eliza Tennant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tennant, who came to Canada in 1820. They resided continuously in Lanark Twp. when she married to James Smith, who died seventeen years ago, the closest clergyman was in Ogdensburg, N.Y., whither they went to have the ceremony performed. They had fourteen of a family, of whom the following survive: Joseph, James, Thomas, and Charles, and Mrs. Anthony Woods, Mrs. Charles Finlayson, Mrs. Robert Watchorn, and Miss Frances Smith. She leaves 59 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. Notwithstanding her age she could read without glasses and had the use of her facilities to a surprising degree. The funeral was on Tuesday from the residence of her son, Thomas to the Tennant Cemetery. Perth Courier, May 18, 1899.