Brown Family Research - Paternal Ancestors - Segment 3

 

James Alexander Ferguson and Virginia Brownlowe Reynolds

Page -1-

Early Years

James Alexander Ferguson was the second child and first son of William Alexander 'Tobias' Ferguson and Rachel Jones Ferguson. Tobias had enlisted in the 11^th KY Infantry Regiment during 1861 at the outset of the Civil War. In early 1862, he contracted measles, was admitted to the Army hospital, and then was sent home to Butler Co. to recover. About a year later, on January 5, 1863, James was born in their home near the community of Aberdeen. The nation was at war with itself. War was a condition that would permeate much of James’ life. At the time of James’ birth, Aberdeen was a thriving community of coal mining and railroad crosstie production.[1]

Tobias (Tobe) was at death’s door when he first came home from the service. For a time, he lived with the local Doctor. When he was able to return home and be with the heavily pregnant Rachel (with James) and 1-year old Margaret, he could do little physical work. Sometime after the end of the War, Tobe would learn that the Army had lost the record of his discharge and had characterized his absence as desertion. Though his health temporarily improved so that he could return to farming, the accusation hung over him like a dark cloud. By the early 1870s, as Tobe’s health began to steadily decline, he began the process of attempting to clear his name so he could draw a pension as an invalid and so that Rachel and the five kids would have the right to a survivor's pension. James, age 7 in 1870, was witness to both the suffering and the indignation. Perhaps James felt the sting of shame at being the son of an accused deserter. As his Dad weakened, Rachel took up the fight, hoping to let Tobe die at peace, but it was not to be. On February 4, 1873, the 10-year-old James watched his father die, and his mother grieve. Her grief did not deter her in the struggle with government bureaucracy. She retained a lawyer and tracked down friends and comrades, securing an affidavit from each regarding Tobe’s health before and after his service.

Move from Butler to Ohio Co. The brothers also moved.

In June 1873, just months after Tobe breathed his last, the news that they had longed for arrived. Tobe’s name was cleared, and his honorable discharge was restored, retroactive to March 1862. The relief must have been overwhelming.

Virginia (Jennie) Brownlowe Reynolds was born on September 25, 1867, also in Butler Co. She was the third child and second daughter of Dennis Reynolds and Elizabeth Oliver Reynolds.

For reasons that are not clear, the Reynolds also moved to Ohio Co. in the 1870s.

---

[1] Aberdeen was a boom town from about 1850 until 1910 because of these two industries. Coal production was dominated by the Aberdeen Coal and Mining Company and the West Aberdeen Coal Company. Several manufacturers collectively produced between 2 and 4 million crossties annually. As railroad expansion slowed, so did these industries. 

Page -2-

Family

The young couple married December 20, 1884, in Ohio Co., KY.[2] Jennie was 17. James was 21. Children came steadily. The first daughter, Viola Mae, was born on February 26, 1885. Like all the children, she was born in Ohio Co. Their next girl, Naomi Gertrude, was born September 13, 1886.

By the late 1880s, James had two small children. His mother had somehow managed to see her children to adulthood, sometimes taking in paupers for the County to make ends meet. Her fight to secure a Widow's Pension had never ceased. Incredibly, after 14 years, the government finally awarded Widows and Minors Pensions. Blessedly, these were retroactive to Tobe’s death in early 1873. Even the local paper took note of the long-awaited vindication.[3]

James and Jennie welcomed their first son, Arthur Alano on February 7, 1890. Their third daughter, Lida B., was born February 5, 1894. Lida only lived eight days, dying on February 13^th. Another daughter, Cliffie Delilah, was born on June 24, 1895. The last child born in the old century was Norma L. She entered the world on February 5, 1899. Her birth was noted in the Hartford Republican.[4] The 1900 census indicated that one other child had been born over the last sixteen years but had died. The name of that child is unknown at this time.

The 1900 census also revealed that James never attended school, nor did he put much stock in schooling for his family. Viola (xx) and Naomi (xx) both stopped after just four years. Both were able to read and write; at this time they were the only ones in their family that could. Ten-year-old Authur had never been to school, could not read or write, and was already working as a farm laborer. The family was living on a farm in the Cromwell district, one that they owned free of any mortgage. James’ Mom, Rachel, was living in Beaver Dam, just a mile or two north on what is now US 231.

At some point in the latter years of the 1800s, James donated land for the Cool Springs Baptist Church and a one-room schoolhouse across the road from the Church.

With the new century came joy, loss, and more joy. William Sylvester brought the first joy when he was born on October 20, 1900. Then little Norma L. died on June 3, 1901. She was just 2-1/2. A boy, whose name is not known, arrived in 1902 but lived only briefly. Finally, Edna Leona was born January 20, 1903.

When the 1910 census was taken, James and Jennie were still in Cromwell. The three youngest children were at home. With the exodus of the older children, space had been rented out to their farm hand and his two pre-teen children.

The Depression and Another War

Jennie died on February 20, 1934, at her home in Ohio Co., KY.[5] She was buried the next day at Cool Springs Baptist Church.[6] Her tombstone simply reads, Jennie B. According to oral tradition, James

---

[2] Marriage bond, James A Furguson and Jennie Reynolds, Ohio Co., KY.

[3] The Hartford Herald, July 20, 1887, page 3.

[4] Hartford Republican, February 24, 1899, page 2.

[5] Death certificate, Jennie B. Ferguson, February 20, 1934, volume 21, #10295.

[6] Ohio Co. Messenger, March 2, 1934, page 1. Mrs. James Ferguson Dies at Cool Springs, Mrs. James A. Ferguson, age 67, died at her home at Cool Springs Tuesday, February 20 after a long illness. Mrs. Ferguson was a native of Ohio Co. and spent most of her life here. Besides her husband, she is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Andy Oller, Prentiss; Mrs. F. Evans, Beaver Dam R.1; Mrs. Bruce Miller, Maceo, Mrs. Willis Brown, Cool Springs; and two sons, Willie and Arthur of Cool Springs, one sister, Mrs. James Robinson of McHenry, twenty-two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted February 21st at the Cool Springs Baptist Church, the Rev. Fuqua of Hartford officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Page -3-

shared his mother’s brusque disposition. It was said that he was particularly insensitive in his interactions with Jennie. His grandson, Adril Brown, loved to be at the Ferguson home because he adored his grandmother. However, as the boy grew older, he came to thoroughly resent his grandfather for his poor treatment of his wife. So, when Jennie died, Adril was inconsolable. The rift between Adril and his grandfather would never heal.[7]

James remarried less than five weeks later (on March 25^th) to the widow, Eunice Southards.[8] According to oral tradition, the remarriage, so quickly after Jennie’s death, unsettled some in the family and loosened tongues in the community.

Loss of a grandson noted in the paper, December 1934.[9]

Decline and Death

James died in Ohio Co., KY on July 16, 1954.[10] He was 91. He was buried beside Jennie at the Cool Springs Baptist Church on July 17th.[11]

Whispered stories of what happened to his wealth brought some split in the family

Eunice died on January 20, 1971, in Hartford.[12] She was 86.

End Notes and References

1. 1870 Butler Co., KY, census, page 295b, Brooklyn P.O. district.
   
   

---

[7] That resentment did not extend to James’ kids, or their children. Trips to see Adril’s Mom (Cliffie Ferguson) in the 1950s and 19060s almost always involved a visit to or from one of the other Fergusons.

[8] Marriage bond, James A. Ferguson and Eunice Southards, March 25, 1935, Ohio Co., KY, volume 51, page 116.

[9] Ohio County Messenger, Fri, December 28, 1934, page 1.

[10] Death certificate, James A. Ferguson, July 16, 1954, volume 30, #14616.

[11] The Ohio Co. News, Hartford, KY, July 30, 1954, page 3. Note that his middle name is spelled wrong.

James A. Ferguson Is Claimed by Death, James Alexandra Ferguson, 91, of the Cool Springs community of Route 1, Beaver Dam, succumbed at 8:20 am Friday, July 16, at his residence after an illness of five and one-half months. The Rev. Adams, pastor of the Cool Springs Baptist Church, conducted the funeral at 2:30 pm, July 17, at the Cool Springs Church. Burial was in the church cemetery. Grandsons were pallbearers. The son of the late Tobe and Rachel Jones Ferguson, he was born January 25, 1863, in Butler Co. He was a member of the church where his funeral was held. Mr. Ferguson was first married to Virginia Reynolds, deceased, and then to Eunice Southard, who survives. Other relatives surviving are: four daughters, Mrs. Andy Oller, Mrs. Finis Evans and Mrs. Will Brown, all of Route 1, Beaver Dam, and Mrs. Bruce Miller of Owensboro. Two sons, Aurthur and Willie Ferguson of Route 1, Beaver Dam; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Casebier Funeral Home made final arrangements.

[12] The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Friday, January 22, 1971, page 4.

Page -4-

Name	Age	Remarks
Dennis Reynolds	45	farmer, cannot read or write, born KY
Elizabeth	27	keeping house
Sylvester	7
Betsy	6
Virginia	3
Mary	1

            2.     880 Ohio Co, KY census, page 578, Stewartville precinct. Tim Ferguson lives next door. He is 33, a laborer. He has been unemployed for 2 months during the last year. He cannot write.

Name	Age	Remarks
Dennis Reynolds	55	farmer, cannot read or write, born KY, parents born KY
Elizabeth	38	born KY, parents born KY
Sylvester	17	laborer, in school
Elizabeth	16	in school
Jane	13	in school
Mary T.	9	in school
Louisa	7	in school
America	2

            3. Family of Virginia Brownlowe Reynolds (children of Dennis and Elizabeth Reynolds):

·         Sylvester, born in KY in about 1863.

·         Elizabeth (also called Betsy in the census) Jane, born in 1864 in KY. Married Timothy V. Ferguson on June 6, 1880. 

·         Virginia Brownlowe, born September 25, 1867, in Butler Co., KY, married James A. Ferguson, December 30, 1884. She died February 20, 1934.

·         Mary T., born in KY in about 1869, married James Robinson.

·         Louisa, born in about 1873.

·         America, born in about 1878.

·         Will T., born October 27, 1881. He married a Musa P. and died May 13, 1958.

4. 1900 Ohio Co. KY census, page 76, Cromwell precinct. All indicate that they were born in KY and that their dads and moms were born in KY. James is a farmer. Arthur is a farm laborer; he owns his home and farm free and clear. Their farm is number 198 on the farm schedule. The couple has been married 17 years, has had seven children, and five are still alive.

Name	Relationship	Birthdate	Age	Can Read	Can Write	In School
James A. Ferguson	head	Jan 1863	37	Yes	yes
Jane B.	wife	Sept 1867	32	No	no
Viola	daughter	Feb 1885	15	Yes	yes	yes

Page -5-

Oma	daughter	Sept 1886	13	Yes	yes	yes
Arthur	Son	April 1890	10	No	no	no
Cliffie	daughter	June 1895	4
Norma	daughter	Feb 1899	1

5. 1910 Ohio Co., KY census, page 85. They own their own house with no mortgage and have been married 26 years. Jennie has had 10 children; six are living. They live on Prentiss Road. All entrants list their place of birth as KY, their dad's place of birth as KY, and their mom's place of birth as KY.

Name	Age	Relationship	Occupation
James	47		farmer
Jennie B.	43	Wife
Cliffie D.	14	Daughter
William S.	7	Son
Edney	6	Daughter
Nealy Burden	57	farm hand	laborer
Lottie B.	9	Daughter
Richard J.	3	Son

            6. 1920 Ohio Co., KY census, page 67. They own their own home, all can read and write, none are in school. James is a self-employed farmer.

Name	Age	State of Birth	Dad's State of Birth	Mom's State of Birth
James A. Ferguson	55	KY	KY	KY
Jennie	52	KY	KY	KY
Willie	19	KY	KY	KY
Edna	16	KY	KY	KY

            7.  Children of James A. and Jennie B. Ferguson

·         Viola Mae February 26, 1886

·         Arthur Alono born February 7, 1890

·         Cliffie Delilah June 24, 1895

·         Naomi February 1897

·         William Sylvester, 1900

·         Edna Leona, January 20, 1903

8.  Ohio Co., KY deed book 17, page 355.

James Alexander Ferguson and Virginia Brownlowe Reynolds

James Alexander Ferguson and two of his daughters

James Alexander Ferguson