|
a.
|
Note: ley Ferguson was born on a farm near Ossian, Indiana, on December 23, 1891.
My childhood was uneventful with the exception of nearly drowning in a swollen creek; almost picked to death by a big old rooster; getting caught by my little dress on the horns of our cow (Old White); having a heavy wheel of a binder fall on my foot and breaking the bones; the upright on the hay wagon fell and dented my head; a toy cannon exploded in my face and to this day grains of powder are still visible; jumping from the top of a barn with a homemade parachute which did not open. Oh yes, I did all these things and many more too numerous to mention.
I began working at the Ossian Drug Company when I was nine years old. I cleaned, swept, packed ice cream, just a flunkie all for the big sum of 50¢ per week, and I was supposed to trade that out. A little later I was given the job of sleeping in the store and tending a telephone switchboard at night and delivering the Fort Wayne evening papers in addition to my other duties. I did this until I completed the Ossian High School. In high school I played basketball, was in the band, and sang in the quartette.
I went to Winona College for teacher's training. I taught school and continued my education at Indiana University and Central Normal until I got my A.B. degree. I continued to teach until 1936 during which time I served as principal or superintendent of schools (for 17 years).
On August 16, 1916, Arnold Plummer and I came home from college. That afternoon I saw him downtown and he said, "Fergie, there's a new girl in town and is she a good looker - and she lives just across the street from my girl." I suggested that he call Phoebe and have her arrange a blind date for me. In a short time it was all arranged and that night we drove our new car to Fort Wayne. I liked what I saw, and in a short time we were going steady. We were married October 31, 1917, and went to Indianapolis to teacher's convention for our honeymoon.
We started housekeeping on South Jefferson Street in Ossian, May 1«sup»st«/sup» saw us breaking up our little home. Georgiana went to live with her parents and I went into military service. She eventually came to be near me at Fort Thomas, then Camp Gordon, and Camp Greene. Since we had no money, she had a very rough time trying to live on the $30.00 a month from Uncle Sam and the money she earned as a press operator. After my commission as an officer, she had a little more money.
After my discharge, we returned to Ossian and again I started teaching, and we again set up housekeeping. On April 4, 1921, a little red-headed boy arrived and we liked him so much we decided to keep him. On September 8, 1923, a little golden-haired girl came to be his playmate. This completes our little family.
In 1930 we moved to Fort Wayne where I continued to teach until 1936. We have had our ups and down; served in one war, had a son and son-in-law in another, and now have a grandson in another. Through these conditions we have been able to be very happy and stay together for almost fifty years.
Note: I, Dale James Ferguson, the son of Albert C. and Nellie Dai
|
