James Worth Ferguson was born May 28, 1896 in Sacred Wind, Kentucky. He was the son of George Washington Ferguson and Nancy Marguerite Boggs. He was the grandson of William Worth Ferguson and Kate Smith (paternal side) and James Henry Boggs and Matilda Lyons (maternal side).
In the 1900 US Census the family was living in Newcomb, Elliott Co., KY.
Name: James W Ferguson
Home in 1900: Newcomb, Elliott, Kentucky
Age: 4
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Kentucky
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's name: George W
Mother's name: Nancy M
In 1903, the Ferguson family left Kentucky, and moved west to Whatcom County, Washington. James parents were told the lumber industry was booming out west, and in Kentucky at that time, the lumber business was depressed.
Per the 1910 US census, James was 14 years old, born in KY, and living with family in Whatcom Co., WA...Meridian Township, Enumeration District 347, page 172B, line #62.
Last Name: Ferguson
First Name: James W
Age: 14
Birthplace: Kentucky
County: Whatcom
Precinct: Meridian
Enumeration District: 347
Page Number: 172B
Line Number: 62
James mother Nancy passed away unexpectedly in August of 1916.
James and his brother Earl moved out of the Ferguson home and went to work in Bellingham (city) some time after that.
1917 Bellingham & Whatcom Co., Polk Directory
page 142 City Directory:
Ferguson, Earl lab Bloedel Donovan Lumber Mills r: 2700 Grant
Ferguson, James lab Bloedel Donovan Lumber Mills
Per his June 6th, 1917 WWI Draft Registration, James stated his name as James "Worthington" Ferguson and stated he was born May 28th, 1896 in "Ashland, KY". At that time, James was working as a 'section man' for the Great Northern Railroad and living in the Eagle Hotel in Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA . He also noted that he had physical problems of "one leg shorter than the other" (later writes that 'one leg hurt when young, outgrew the other') Also states that he is of medium height, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair....Signed name as "James Worthington Ferguson". (note: his middle name was 'Worth' after his grandfather)
Name: James Worthington Ferguson
Event Place: Adams County, Asotin County, Bellingham City, Washington
Nationality: United States
Affiliate Publication Number: M1509 , Affiliate Publication Title: World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards , GS Film Number: 001991532 , Digital Folder Number: 005243503 , Image Number: 05335
James Ferguson is listed in the 1920 census for Washington State in Puyallup, Pierce Co., Washington; 22 years old, born in KY; father born in Virginia, mother in Kentucky: Roll T625_1937; page 1B; ED 226; image 1040; 2nd precinct, ward #3; address was " 213 1/2 Meridian Ave.. (There are letters to hi sister Wea from sister Dorothy around this time, remarking that James was living in Puyallup)
Name: James Ferguson
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1898
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1920: Puyallup, Pierce, Washington
Relation to Head of House: Lodger
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
On 20 Sep 1922, James married a Julia Ann Dumontier in Wenatchee, Chelan, WA. They later separated in the late 1940's in Spokane, Washington, but a divorce record has not been found.
Per a letter written by his sister Dorothy in March of 1926, James was living (at that time) in Wenatchee, Washington.
Per his WWII Application, 1942
Name: James Worthington Ferguson
Birth Date: 28 May 1895
Birth Place: Lawrence County, Kentucky
Residence: Spokane, Washington
James states his address as 169 1/2 Wall St., Spokane; says he is 46 years old, gives his dob as 1895 (should be 1896) Gives as his 'contact' information: "Cooks & Waiters Union"; and gives his employer as "Sillman Hotel, Spokane"...signs his application as James Worthington Ferguson Gives his description as 5'8 1/2 inches; 160 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion...scar on upper lip and right leg shorter than left.
1942
Per social security application I received on 4/29/09...James filled out an "Employees Request for Change in Records" from the social security office. At some point, James had changed his name to "John Samuel Ferguson" and was now requesting to change back to "James Worthington Ferguson". He also changed his date of birth from May 28, 1900 to May 28, 1895 (correct year is 1896). States he was living at the Cliff Hotel in Spokane. James says he was born in Lawrence Co., KY and his parents were George Ferguson and Nancy Boggs. Request is dated Feb. 2, 1942, and signed "James W. Ferguson".
1943 Spokane City Directory, page 240:
Ferguson, James W. kitchen helper, Davenport Hotel, 320 5th Ave.
Publication Title: Spokane, Washington, City Directory, 1945
Name: James W Ferguson
Street address: N519 Monroe
Residence Place: Spokane, Washington, USA
Occupation: Restaurant Worker
1945-1946 Spokane City Directory:
Ferguson, James W. restrwkr residence: 519 1/2 Monroe
1947 Spokane Polk Directory, page 332:
Ferguson, James pantry worker Model Cafe home: 3169 !/2 Wall, apt. 19
1949 Spokane City Directory
Ferguson, James helper, Volunteers of America home: West 417 Trent Ave.
1950 Spokane City Directory:
Ferguson, James W. salvage worker, Volunteers of America home: W 726 1st Ave.
Jame's niece, Elaine Kroetsch Bell Gillett, remembers her Aunt Wea (Iva Ferguson) trying to get in touch with Jim to come to their sister Thelma's funeral in 1950.
On March 2, 1952, the hotel in which James was living caught fire. James survived the fire, but was taken to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane for observation. Several hours later, James was found dead in his bed in Room 317 at 2:00am.
Death was attributed to coronary thrombosis (sudden onset) tho Jim had suffered from arteriosclerosis and bronchial asthma for several years. Death certificate states that he was a cook at 'various places' and had been living in Spokane for 8 years prior to his death. He was living at the Charleston Hotel, N. 222 1/2 Division St., Spokane. States his birth date was 5/27/1893 (?) and that he was 59 years old at time of death. Also listed as "married" on death cert. Information was provided by his brother, Earl J. Ferguson. SS# 531-16-9763 There was no autopsy done on the body, and cert is signed by Frances Bumms, MD, coroner. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane and the undertaker was Sunset Memorial Chapel (B & D) Spokane, Washington, E.I. Ball, director. James was buried March 7, 1952.
Greenwood Cemetery is at 211 N Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224. Just on the west side of Spokane.
Pam Marks 
