The Ferguson Brothers
The Ferguson Brothers, Charles David “Chas” Ferguson and Jesse Robert “Jess” Ferguson were born to Charles and Melvina (née Beville) Ferguson. Both parents are buried in the family plot near their sons at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Patriarch Charles S. Ferguson’s large upright headstone anchors the family plot. Melvina has a replacement headstone. Two other sons of Charles S. Ferguson (half brothers to Jess and Chas) were also early Fort Worth firefighters, Standifer Ferguson and Louis Ferguson. They are buried elsewhere in Fort Worth.
Charles “Chas” David Ferguson
July 5, 1877 - February 10, 1942
Charles David “Chas” Ferguson was born on July 5, 1877, in Texas (likely Fort Worth). He was an Army veteran of the Spanish American War. He enlisted in Fort Worth on November 9, 1898, in the 2nd Texas Infantry, Company D as a private.¹ Once his military career was complete, Chas returned to Fort Worth and became a fireman.
Chas died on February 10, 1942 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fort Worth of heart failure and influenza. He was 64 years old. Mystery does surround Chas in regard to his marital status. Although his death certificate states he was married at the time of his death², no marriage records or spouses have been located. The 1930 U.S. Census states he was divorced.³ He has no known descendants.
Jesse “Jess” Robert Ferguson
March 10, 1880 - November 29, 1952
Jesse Robert “Jess” Ferguson was born on March 10, 1880 in Fort Worth.⁴ Although the date is unknown, Jess married Minnie “Mamie” Staker sometime before 1930 and they remained married until her death in 1950.
He joined the Fort Worth Fire Department in 1917. At the time he retired in 1944, Jess was the captain of Station 20 located on Meadowbrook Dr. During his long association with the fire department, he also served as district fire chief of Station 12 at 24th St. and Prospect. However, most of the time, Ferguson was stationed at 2nd and Commerce — Station 1, the oldest in Fort Worth. Before that he served at the old Central Fire Station on Throckmorton.⁵
Jesse died at his home at 2826 Hemphill St. (home no longer standing.) He was 73 years old. He did not have children, and there are no known direct descendants.⁶ His wife, “Mamie” is buried next to him.
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[1] “Ferguson Charles” Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898, Fas-Fir, [pg. 1000], Ancestry.com; accessed 24 Oct 2024.
[2] “Certificate of Death, Charles D. Ferguson.” Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, 10 Feb 1942, Ancestry.com; accessed 24 Oct 2024.
[3] “Chas D Ferguson” 1930 United States Federal Census, District 0080, Tarrant, Texas, Pg. 135, Ancestry.com: accessed 1 Dec, 2024.
[4] “Certificate of Death, Jess R. Ferguson.” Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, 29 Nov 1952, Ancestry.com; accessed 24 Oct 2024.
[5] “J.R. Ferguson, Ex-Fireman, Dies at Home” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 1 Dec 1952, p. 15. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, Accessed 13 Aug. 2023.
[6] Certificate, 1952.
Block 1, Lot 18 [Explore the Map]
