Version 6.01

02 January 2023

David March © 2014

HECTOR GORDON FERGUSON and MARY GEORGINA FERGUSON née ADAMSON

Hector Gordon Ferguson was born on 1 August 1892 in Rural Municipality of North Cypress, Manitoba to Robert Ferguson (b 1849) & Margaret O’Neil (1855-1899). Hector had three brothers, John Fergus (b1883-1918), Robert c (b 1888) & James Stanley (b 1890) and one sister, Agnes Olive (b 1885). Hector grew up in Manitoba before moving to Main St, Langham, Saskatchewan by 1911. Hector is described in the census as a merchant as are several of his neighbours. It is likely that his was one of a cluster of stores on Main Street.

In about 1916, Hector married Mary Georgina Adamson. Mary was born on 16 July 1889 in Morden, Manitoba to Arthur Christopher Adamson (1856-1917) & Edith Octavia Moore (1866-1926). Mary had seven brothers, John Evans (b 1883), Herbert Monford (b 1887), Phillip (b 1892), Guy Arthur (1893-1974), William (b 1897), Robert (b 1902) & James (b 1907) and two sisters, Mabel (b 1885) & Elsie Ed (b 1894). Mary was also living in Langham in 1911, so this is presumably where she met Hector.

Gordon and Mary had four daughters, Mona Isabel (1921-1999), Margaret Mary (1922-2007), Norah Edith (1923-2008) Audrey (b 1929).

From 1918-1921, Gordon and Mary were living at #8 Dun Robin Apartments, 804 McPherson Ave, Saskatoon. Hector was a traveller with Marshall Wells Hardware Co of Duluth, Minnesota. They remained in Saskatoon until 1925. Gordon died in Winnipeg on 4 March 1939.

Their daughter, Norah came to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1949 and Mary and daughters, Norah and Margaret roomed together for many years. Norah was a secretary and Margaret was a bank clerk and then manager. Mary died in Vancouver on 10 May 1981 aged 91 years.

Judith Swanson writes:

Gordon and Mary Ferguson were my maternal grandparents. Gordon's mother, Margaret died in 1899. At some point young Gordon was sent to live with his aunt and uncle, Dr. Rob Ferguson and Isabel Ellen (Nell) in Pilot Mound, Manitoba where Dr. Ferguson was the doctor to the surrounding farmers and their families.In 1925 Mary and Gordon moved with their three daughters to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he continued his career as a travelling salesman for Marshall Wells. A fourth daughter Audrey was born there on January 2, 1929.

Gordon's sudden death in 1939 drew the already close family, closer as the older girls rallied around their shattered mother and youngest sister. Plans for post secondary education were put on hold and the eldest daughter, Mona, aged 19 was offered employment by Marshall Wells. Margaret and Norah took their place in the job market as each graduated high school. Mona went to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1942 where she met her future husband, John Alexander Webster. Margaret found employment with the Toronto Dominion Bank and Norah in the insurance industry. Mona and John were married July 3, 1944. Margaret and Norah visited Vancouver while on vacation in 1948 and made the decision to move to the west coast in March of 1949, bringing their mother and youngest sister with them. Mona and John welcomed a daughter, Judith Margaret in April of 1949 and remained there until retiring to West Vancouver, B.C. in November of 1975.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Ferguson 1 Tree.

Gordon and Mary Ferguson c1918
Courtesy of Judith Swanson