Jacob's students started at five years of
age. On the 25th of February, 1858, the Rev. James Law, Presbyterian Minister
(Father of Bonar Law), married Jacob Ferguson of Richibucto to Agnes Dickie
of Kingston (Rexton).
William Adam Ferguson, who became an
eminent surgeon, was Gods gift to these people of Scottish and Loyalist
ancestry. William Adam Ferguson was born on April 30th 1861. The Rev.
Mr. Street and I. B. Oakes taught young Ferguson here at the old Public
School.
His next stop along the education highway
was Harkins Academy Newcastle.
Ferguson entered McGill as an arts student
when he was only sixteen. He picked up the gold medal for proficiency
in physics and mathematics along with his diploma in 1881. The following
term, he continued his studies at the McGill School of Medicine. He
studied under that famous Canadian Sir William Osler, (at that time
a young professor).
In 1884 he graduated with the degrees
of M.D. and C.M. also awarded the Homes Gold Medal -- then the highest
award in medical school.
After graduation he remained in Montreal
as House Surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital under the distinguished
surgeon, Dr. F.J. Sheppard.
When William Adam Ferguson returned home
for a visit he would stay at his father's new home. The home had been
purchased from Samuel J. Samuels in 1887 by Jacob Ferguson for the sum
of $140.
The old home remained standing until
1981. The site is presently owned by photographer Ed. Robichaud of Richibucto.
Ferguson was then employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Western
Provinces as a medical officer in charge of construction crew healthcare.
In this work he gained much valuable
experience. During this employment he made the decision to specialize
in surgery.
He returned home and had offices in both
Rexton and Newcastle. Ferguson`s post-graduate studies were conducted
in New York. In 1898 he settled in Moncton.
As time passed his practice became increasingly
larger. By constant reading and much study in the hospitals of the larger
Canadian and American cities, as well as abroad. Dr.
Ferguson added greatly to his store of medical knowledge and skill so
that he became known as a skillful surgeon earning the respect and esteem
of leaders in the larger medical centers. He played an important part
in the founding and later development of the Moncton Hospital, and was
for many years its senior surgeon and instructor in the school for nurses.
His excellent professional library was presented to the Hospital after
his death and formed the nucleus of the present medical library, which
is now maintained at that institution. In 1920 he became a Fellow in
the American College of Surgeons.