Biography:

Dr. John Fergusson was born in Beverley Twp (near Galt), Ontario on the 2nd of April, 1860.  Dr. Fergusson was the 2nd of 4 children born to Archibald Fergusson and the former Annie Dickey.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Ann, Robert and William.  Dr. Fergusson took his primary education near Galt before attending Watertown High School and Hamilton Collegiate Institute. He studied medicine at The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and graduated in 1885.  Dr. Fergusson joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 29th of April, 1885.  He opened a medical practice in the Town of Essex upon his graduation.

Dr. Fergusson married Mary B. McKenzie in Embro, Ontario in 1889.  Mrs. Fergusson was born on the 14th of April, 1859 in West Zorra Twp., Ontario.  She was the 2nd of 10 children born to Murdock McKenzie and the former Georgina McDonald.  Her parents were farmers and her siblings were; Catherine Anna McKenzie, John A. McKenzie, Donald William McKenzie, Isabella McKenzie, William McKenzie (died at the age of 25), Jannet R. McKenzie, Christine Eurina McKenzie, Murdock McKenzie and Annie Jane Mckenzie.

Shortly after their marriage, Dr. and Mrs. Fergusson moved to Tilbury, Ontario.  Dr. and Mrs. Fergusson had two children born to them while they lived in Tilbury.  Their son, Archibald Mackenzie Fergusson was born on the 25th of March, 1891 and their daughter Kathleen Fergusson was born on the 5th of January, 1894.

In July of 1892, Dr. Fergusson purchased the home and medical practice of Dr. Daniel Mitchell on Queen Street in Tilbury, Ontario.

Dr. Fergusson served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of Education. Dr. Fergusson belonged to the I.O.O.F. and the A.F. & A.M.  Dr. Fergusson advertised his medical practice in Tilbury, in the 1900 Farmers and Business Directory for Elgin, Essex, Kent and Lambton County.

Dr. Fergusson moved his family to Calgary, Alberta in 1912, where he continued to practice medicine.  According to the 1921 census, Dr. and Mrs. Fergusson were living at 1117 13th Ave. W., in Calgary, with their daughter Kathleen. Kathleen’s occupation was listed as a teacher.

Mrs. Fergusson died on the 14th of October, 1925.  Dr. Fergusson died on the 25th of December, 1936.  Dr. and Mrs. Fergusson are buried at the Union Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta.

*Dr. Fergusson’s son, Archibald MacKenzie Fergusson enlisted in WWI and he was killed in action in Neuville, France on the 24th of August, 1918.  Private Fergusson was buried at the Wailly Orchard Cemetery in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

**Dr. Daniel Mitchell is also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.