Roscoe W. Ferguson

ROSCOE W. FERGUSON. - It is extremely difficult for a young man to choose the line of work he intends to follow through life. What a little thing will often cause him to decide. A single stone may turn the rivulet to the right or left. It is sometimes said that what we call providence shapes our careers. Undoubtedly something outside of ourselves has something to do with the general direction of a man's life, but the getting on is purely a private affair. Each individual is fated to work out his own career. If he is qualified by nature he cannot be kept down; if deficient he cannot by hook or crook be boosted up. Opposition, adversity and hard luck are powerless to keep a big man in a small place and no set of outside conditions can keep a small man in a big place. Roscoe W. Ferguson, after trying two lines of work, has finally come into his own and is the well known banker at Bonner Springs. Although he has only been in the county but a very short time he has already made his presence felt and will doubtless be still more prominent as the time rolls on.

He was born in Jefferson county, Kansas, July 13, 1875. His father, Walter Ferguson, was born in Indiana in 1850. His mother, Henrietta Henderson before she was married, was born in Ohio in 1855. Walter Ferguson came to Kansas in 1864, when he was fourteen years old. He located with his parents in Jefferson county. He became an influential farmer and was an advocate of the Democratic policies. He was county commissioner two terms and county treasurer two terms on the Democratic ticket. In 1906 he was elected to the Legislature for Jefferson county, Kansas. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masons fraternal order. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ferguson had five children, as follows: Roscoe W., Pearl G. (deceased), James H., Earl E., and Albert E. Mr. Ferguson, the father, died in 1907, and his wife died on New Year's day, 1911.

Roscoe W. Ferguson was brought up in Jefferson county, Kansas. He attended the public schools in Valley Falls as a student in the high school and then went to the Campbell University at Holton, Kansas. After he had completed his college course he farmed for four years and then assisted his father in the treasurer's office. His father had owned a full section of land and this is still owned by the brothers. The younger brothers manage the farm, situated in Jefferson county, Kansas. In 1906 Roscoe W. went to Idaho, intending to make that his permanent home, but the following year his father died and he came back to Kansas. In 1908 he first entered the employ of the Bonner State Bank. In 1909, the following year, the First National Bank bought out the Bonner State Bank, and Mr. Ferguson went with the new concern, known as the First National Bank. He is its cashier.

In 1900 he married Miss Nellie King, a native of Ohio. Her parents are at present living in Bonner Springs and are connected with their son-in-law in the First National Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have three children, Lewis E., Linville and Lawrence.

Roscoe Ferguson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Knights of Pythias. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics, but he has not yet cared to take any political office. He has swerved from his father's religious faith and is a member of the Christian church and is a very earnest, active worker in the church. His influence in Bonner Springs is very helpful, especially among the young men. They feel that he is their friend and that he understands them.