Tombstone Tuesday

Photo of the tombstone of George Clinton and Catherine (Willman) Ferguson, Odell Cemetery, Odell, Nebraska.
Photo taken by Mary Russell Hollowell.

Obituary

Catherine Willman Ferguson, 1834-1905

Catherine Willman was born in Franklin county, Pa., August 10, 1834, and died at her home in Odell, Thursday, December 28, 1905, after an illness of about six weeks duration, at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 13 days.

During her sickness she bore her suffering without scarcely a murmur, meekly submitting to the will of her Heavenly Father.

At the age of four years, deceased removed with her parents to Wayne county, Ind., where they resided for about four years, when they went to Hartford City, Blackford county, Ind., where, on October 28, 1851, she was united in marriage with George Ferguson who enjoyed her companionship for more than half a century.

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Johnstown, Hardin county, Ohio, residing there till the summer of 1855, when they came to Brownville, Nebraska, being among the very first settlers in the state. A few years later they made their way to Cincinnati, now DuBois, in Pawnee county, where they resided until 1878, when they came to Charleston, south of the present town of Odell, and from that time to the day of there departure to the better land "Grandma Ferguson" as she was familiarly called, was an honored citizen of our community.

Thirty years ago she and her daughter Molly joined the United Brethren church at Eagle school house near the Blue river and she remained a faithful and consistent member of that faith until the Captain of her salvation said "Come up higher."

Mrs. Ferguson was an affectionate wife and mother and was fairly idolized by her husband and children and dearly beloved by all who knew her on account of her noble deeds. Her departure left a vacancy in this community that can never be filled.

Deceased left a husband, three sisters, two brothers, five sons, three daughters, thirty-seven grand children, thirty of whom were at the funeral, and eleven great grand children to mourn their loss.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Sunday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev J. H. Rounds assisted by Rev. Scott of Wymore, whose wife is a niece of deceased, and the people came in such large numbers to pay their last tribute to the dead that the church would not hold them. Interment was made in the home cemetery north of town.

We extend to the bereaved husband and relatives our most heartfelt sympathy in their hour of sadness, but they have consolation in knowing that their loss is her gain.

~Source: Odell Weekly Wave, 5 Jan 1906