Wiley Anderson FERGUSON

The following bio was taken from page 199 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Gloria Freeman Riley

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

The Wiley Anderson Ferguson family was among the early settlers arriving here around 1880. He came first to Crims Chapel with his wife and children. Wiley married Leathayan Matilda Harris in Georgia. Her brother, Tyree Harris, came to Crims Chapel first about 1875. He married Ellen Cole of Crims Chapel. Tyree wrote for Wiley and his family to move to Texas. In early 1900 Wiley moved to Chalk Hill and bought land there and some around Stewart. He and Leathayan had ten children. Two boys, Marion and William, died as children. One child’s name was not recorded. Ida was born in Georgia, December 3, 1873. Other children were: Emma, Arthur, Lourainy, Martha Ann, Gertrude, and Ethel Jewel. Wiley’s parents were Wiley W. and (?) Ferguson from South Carolina and Georgia. Leathayan’s parents were David Garrison and Lurane Duranda Barnet Harris from South Carolina and Georgia. Wiley was a very religious man. He did not believe in life insurance. He said that God would provide. He was also highly intelligent. He could solve figures in his head, adding, subtracting, and dividing. He left a will that provided property of land and livestock for his wife and children. His home still sits in the middle of Chalk Hill. Ida married James Arthur Pepper; Emma first married Walter Hays and later, Sid Lane; Arthur married Clara Belle Wilson; Lourainy married Harrison Barlow; Martha Ann (Mattie) married Sam Thrasher; Gertrude married James C. Brown; and Ethel married Chester Belew. Arthur Ferguson ran the Ferguson store in Chalk Hill for many years. He moved to Longview, Gregg County. Harrison Barlow operated the store a long time. Other early settlers around that area were: William Patrick; Henry Wilson and his wife, Mary Belle Switzer Wilson; the Oscar Strongs; the Bud Vinsons; the Mack Vinsons, Sr.; the Sidney Freemans; the Arthur Freemans and Jeff Freeman; the Sherwood Strongs; the Jim Wilsons; the John Wilson Peppers; the Dock, John W., Jr. and Elisha Peppers; Tom and James Arthur Peppers; Charlie Gilliams; Bill Harpers; and Jay Barlow. The Elisha Fergusons; the Tom Wilsons; Vail Falls and Dr. W.S. Falls; the Dr. Burts and Robert Burt; the Dr. Thomas; the Bob Jimmersons; the John Lees; the Bolie Browns; the Henry Nixs; the Lon Adams; and the Tom Lanes. The Billy Grays; the Egbert Bealls; the Drew Thompsons; the Allen Williams; the Chester Wilsons; the John Belews; and the Robert Waits. The Dr. Claud Priors; the Crog Priors; the Wilkersons; Wells; and Murry; the Albert Lunsfords; the Bob Sanders; the Dr. Sizemores; the Dock Gibsons; the George Sharps; the Robert Wests; the Gilcrest Peppers; the Jim Garners and George Grisby; the Hoot Garners; the Lem Adams; the Claude Smiths; the John Thompsons; Marshall Pool and Edgar Freeman; also, Mary Jane Hunt and sons John, Jim and Jeff; and Mrs. Della Hammond; the Joe Grahams and the Walter Armstrongs. There are several cemeteries around the area. The Wiley Fergusons, Coles, Thrashers, and Barlows are buried at Crims Chapel. The older Peppers, Grigsbys, and Pools are buried at Harmony Hill. The Freemans, Peppers and others are buried at Stewart. There is the Vinson and the Chalk Hill; also Oak Hill and Prospect Cemeteries. There are numerous other family cemeteries and many more old settlers, too numerous to name. Written by Ida Freeman Black