Memorials › Gola Pearson Ferguson

Gola Pearson Ferguson

28 Jun 1887 – 12 May 1962

Birth28 Jun 1887
Death12 May 1962
CemeteryBryson City Cemetery
Bryson City , Swain County , North Carolina , USA
Added byFrances Rogers on 30 Mar 2014
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91849676

Bio

Ferguson Dies at 74 in Jackson CULLOWHEE-- Gola P. Ferguson, 74, well-known Western North Carolina Politician, after dinner speaker and violin-maker died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 1962, in a Sylva hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Ferguson was a native of Bryson City, a son of the late Philete and Fanny Noland Ferguson. His father was a former postmaster of Bryson City. Well-known in Republican circles, he has been a successful candidate as representative in the General Assembly in 1913 and 1917 and was elected to a special term in 1917 as well. He was Swain County treasurer for two terms in the early 1920's and was appointed sheriff in 1926 to fill out an unexpired term. He was elected to a full term after that. In 1942, Mr. Ferguson ran on the Republican ticket for the U. S. Congress from the 12th District against Zebulon Weaver, and in 1948 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the State Senate in a special election won by W. H. Gudger of Sylva. Between 1913 and 1917 he was a teacher in Swain County, having graduated in 1908 from the Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School. About 25 years ago he came to Cullowhee, where he began farming. For some 40 years he raised big game hounds. His dogs won many prizes and were sold over North and South America, obtaining for him a wide reputation as a breeder and trainer. He was a great lover of bear hunting, and bagged some 60 bears during his active years. Mr. Ferguson was known as an excellent speaker, and was in great demand for many years as an after-dinner speaker for civic clubs and other organizations. He was credited with having a great love of people, who returned the sentiment. It was not unusual for people from five or six states to visit him at one time during his later years. Some years ago, he took up violin making, although he didn't know a single musical note. He made some 30 violins. Mr. Ferguson was a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Jerdie Watson Ferguson, whom he married in 1911, two sons Luther W. of Asheville and Burke of Mt. Holly, both teachers, a granddaughter, Mrs. Jerdie Ferguson's Simpson of Candler; and two great-granddaughters. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Bryson City First Baptist Church. The Rev. Quentin Perreault of Cullowhee and the Rev. Wayne Slaton, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in Bryson City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank and Philete Ferguson, Bill Simpson, Ed Winchester, Wyman Mincey and a Frank Redman. Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Crockett, Dr. P. E. Deweese, Oscar Martin, Frank Brown, Sr., Fred L. Hooper, Kelly E. Bennett, Bob Wiggins, Robert Helton, Thurman Leatherwood, Frank Wilson, Ted Jenkins and Frank Patton. The body will remain at Moody Funeral Home in Sylva until 2 p.m. Monday, when it will be taken to the home; and will lie in state in the church 30 minutes before services. Contributor: Gerald Chandler (48667734) • [email protected]

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