Hiram F. Ferguson was a brave soldier when the dissolution of the republic was threatened with Civil War and during his active life was one of the most progressive citizens of the county, but is now living retired at Nevada, IA.

A son of Hiram and Ethelinda D. (Dewey) Ferguson, Hiram was one of six children: he had 4 older brothers and a younger sister. His father was also a native of Oswego county, New York. His grandfather was born in Scotland, coming to this country and settling in New York state, where he was living at the time of the Revolutionary war. His father was a millwright by trade, came to Iowa in 1854 and readily found employment. After 2 years in Iowa he went back to bring the rest of the family and settled in Steamboat Rock, Hardin county. He built a gristmill and in the fall of 1858 moved his family to Nevada in order that the children might have the advantages of school during the winter. In the spring of 1859, having bought 160 acres of land in Howard township, he took up his residence there, the mother of the family died the following year. In 1862 his father located at Clemons Grove, Marshall county, and he died while living at that place, July 14. 1863, at the age of 55yrs.

In August, 1861, Hiram enlisted at Nevada in Co. B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, and served in the Civil War until Sept. 19, 1865, mustered out at Selma, Alabama, as sergeant of his company. He took part in the siege of Corinth, during which a charge was made by his regiment, which stands out prominently in the history of the Army of the West. He was also in the battle of Booneville, Miss., where Sheridan won his spurs as brigadier general. His regiment during Hood's advance and retreat was for 64 days almost continuously under fire.

After the war Mr. Ferguson engaged in farming on the old homestead and on other places in Howard township for many years, finally removing to Story City, where he lived retired for seven years. On March 15, 1866, he married to Martha Jane Ballard, who was born in Will County, Illinois, Dec. 31, 1845. and was a daughter of Moses R. and Eliza (Beecher) Ballard. Martha was one of eleven children. Her older brother Samuel lived with them for decades.
They had three children:
1. Jason D. who wed Angie Elder and has 4 children, farmed in South Dakota
2. Addie R., wed E. W. Kimble, has 3 children, in the 1940s in Alameda County, CA.
3. Mabel Celeste, b. 12 Sept. 1878, wed Delbert Leroy Sowers in 1898, has 5 children, of Oakland, CA.

Source in the public domain: "History of Story County, Iowa" by W. O. Payne, Published 1911, pages 390-394.

Hiram F. Ferguson was a brave soldier when the dissolution of the republic was threatened with Civil War and during his active life was one of the most progressive citizens of the county, but is now living retired at Nevada, IA.

A son of Hiram and Ethelinda D. (Dewey) Ferguson, Hiram was one of six children: he had 4 older brothers and a younger sister. His father was also a native of Oswego county, New York. His grandfather was born in Scotland, coming to this country and settling in New York state, where he was living at the time of the Revolutionary war. His father was a millwright by trade, came to Iowa in 1854 and readily found employment. After 2 years in Iowa he went back to bring the rest of the family and settled in Steamboat Rock, Hardin county. He built a gristmill and in the fall of 1858 moved his family to Nevada in order that the children might have the advantages of school during the winter. In the spring of 1859, having bought 160 acres of land in Howard township, he took up his residence there, the mother of the family died the following year. In 1862 his father located at Clemons Grove, Marshall county, and he died while living at that place, July 14. 1863, at the age of 55yrs.

In August, 1861, Hiram enlisted at Nevada in Co. B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, and served in the Civil War until Sept. 19, 1865, mustered out at Selma, Alabama, as sergeant of his company. He took part in the siege of Corinth, during which a charge was made by his regiment, which stands out prominently in the history of the Army of the West. He was also in the battle of Booneville, Miss., where Sheridan won his spurs as brigadier general. His regiment during Hood's advance and retreat was for 64 days almost continuously under fire.

After the war Mr. Ferguson engaged in farming on the old homestead and on other places in Howard township for many years, finally removing to Story City, where he lived retired for seven years. On March 15, 1866, he married to Martha Jane Ballard, who was born in Will County, Illinois, Dec. 31, 1845. and was a daughter of Moses R. and Eliza (Beecher) Ballard. Martha was one of eleven children. Her older brother Samuel lived with them for decades.
They had three children:
1. Jason D. who wed Angie Elder and has 4 children, farmed in South Dakota
2. Addie R., wed E. W. Kimble, has 3 children, in the 1940s in Alameda County, CA.
3. Mabel Celeste, b. 12 Sept. 1878, wed Delbert Leroy Sowers in 1898, has 5 children, of Oakland, CA.

Source in the public domain: "History of Story County, Iowa" by W. O. Payne, Published 1911, pages 390-394.