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Third child of six born of Solon and Mary A. Ferguson, founder of Ferguson Lumber Co. Back then there was no 12 year graduation program.
Walter (born in 1860 and died in 1941)) and William (known as Will or Billy who was born in 1864 and died in 1943) worked at the sawmill from the time they were youngsters. When Will was eleven, the two boys bought a team of horses (named Mike and Belle) and began hauling timber to the planing mill in Rockville. They got $0.25 per 100 board feet and made $2.50 to $3.50 per day ... the two boys making the equal of one man's pay. And with their earnings they bought their own clothes and paid for their board at home.
In 1880, Walter enrolled in Asbury College (now DePauw) in Greencastle and was initiated into Phi Kappa Psi the same year. The following year, Will followed in his footsteps at Asbury and Phi Kappa Psi ... While at college, Will met Sarah Carver, a student from Rockville and they were married on November 19, 1885 and moved into
the Solon's large house just south of the sawmill. In the meantime, Solon and Walter sold the sawmill to Will and Mr. Fulwider for $6000. Will was then not quite 20 years old. The firm of Fulwider and Ferguson continued until January 1, 1891 at which time Fulwider sold his half interest back to Solon and Walter. The firm name was changed to "Ferguson and Sons".
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