CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1936
Death of Mr. Wm. Ferguson
AGED 87
One of Newcastle’s Oldest Tradesmen
(From my late father’s papers. In the photograph, he is the small boy).
One of Newcastle’s oldest business men and most interesting personalities, died at his home, in Moorside, South Fenham, early to-day, at the age of 87.
He was Mr. William Ferguson, founder and proprietor of the firm of Messrs. W. Ferguson and Son, of Prudhoe Street, Newcastle, and chairman and principal of Messrs. William Ferguson, Ltd., of the same address. He had been confined to his home for about six months.
Mr. Ferguson had one son and three daughters, two of whom are now dead. His wife died several years ago. He had 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. One of his grandsons, Mr. W. C. Alder, and his daughter, Mrs. Mauchlen (with whom he lived) are directors of Messrs. William Ferguson, Ltd.
FOUND LIFE “FUNNY”
He was known throughout the city as a man of great character and originality, and possessed a lively sense of humour, which he sometimes exercised in the form of amusing messages and worldly-wise maxims, printed on the back of his business cards. One of the best-known and most typical of these read:—
“Our business was established in 1874. We have been pleasing and displeasing people ever since. We have made money and lost money. We have been cussed and discussed, knocked about and talked about, lied to, held up, robbed, etc., to the end of the chapter.”
Mr. Ferguson used a large visiting card which had an amusing philosophy printed on the back. It was headed, “Life is a funny thing, isn’t it?” and read:—
“Man comes into the world without his consent, and leaves it against his will. During his stay on earth his time is spent in one continuous round of contraries and misunderstandings.
“In his infancy he’s an angel; in his boyhood he’s a devil; in his manhood he’s everything from a lizard up; in his dotage he’s a damn fool; if he raises a family he’s a chump; if he raises a cheque he’s a thief and the law raises H—— with him; if he’s a poor man he’s a bad manager and has no sense; if he’s rich he’s dishonest but considered smart; if he’s a politician he’s a grafter and crook; if he’s out of politics you can place him as he’s an undesirable citizen; if he goes to church he’s a hypocrite; if he stays away he’s a sinner; if he donates to foreign missions he does it for show; if he doesn’t he’s stingy and a tight-wad.
“When he first came into the world everybody wanted to kiss him; before he goes out they all want to kick him. If he dies young there was a great future before him; if he lives to a ripe old age then, of course, he’s living only to save funeral expenses.”
“G.O.M.” OF ROTARY
The end of his business chapter leaves a gap in the life of the city. He started in business at an early age and quickly proved himself a man of exceptional character, enterprise and energy, and his business rapidly expanded.
He was a director of the Fenham Estates Co., the Shotley Bridge Estate Co., and the Stockton Grange Co., managing director and chairman of the Eltringham Sanitary Pipe Co., and connected with the Axwell Park Estate Co. and Darras Hall Estates Co.
In addition, he was President of the National Federation of Builders’ Merchants (Northumberland and Durham area), one of the oldest members of the Newcastle and Tyne District Building Trades Employers’ Association, and chairman of the Housing Committee of the Castle Ward Rural Council. He was also a prominent Rotarian.
Mr. Ferguson was a member of the Newcastle Rotary Club for 15 years, and took a keen interest in its work. He was termed the “Grand Old Man” of the club, and was a generous supporter of every fund promoted to help deserving causes.
When his health permitted, he rarely missed an annual conference of British Rotary, and was very popular in the movement.
PANTO-GOING RECORD
Among his hobbies he was a keen gardener, a student of bird life, and a great reader. Until the time of his illness he claimed to be Newcastle’s most inveterate pantomime-goer, and it is a coincidence that his death should occur at the height of the pantomime season. He claimed to have seen every pantomime at the Newcastle Theatre Royal for 70 years.
In his earliest days it used to mean scraping together every possible penny in order to raise the necessary money. He visited pantomimes with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1934, he took a party of nearly 20 to see the performance at the Theatre Royal. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the opera and drama.
The interment will be at St. Andrew’s Cemetery on Thursday, at 3 p.m.
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