David Ross Ferguson

Another Hero Pays Supreme Sacrifice

Mrs. Carrie Reddick has been notified that her eldest son, David Ross Ferguson, died in France July 24, of wounds received in action. He enlisted in the infantry July 6, 1917 at Miles City, MT and landed in France in December, thus serving his country one year and eighteen days before paying the supreme sacrifice -- for us.

Private David Ferguson was thirty-two years of age, and is survived by his mother, three brothers, and two sisters. Two brothers, Grover Ferguson is in the Navy, and Thomas Reddick in Field Artillery, both enlisted men.

Funeral services will be held at the Sons of Norway Hall, Alkabo, ND Sunday, September 15.

Date: 1918

Location: 1918 newspaper article in Alkabo, ND

Submitted by Beth

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Dell Rapids Tribune, Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Thursday, September 15, 1921:

David R. Ferguson

David R. Ferguson, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ferguson, was born December 5, 1886, at Trent, S. D., and died July 23, 1918, in a French hospital, five days after he was fatally wounded on the bloody battlefield of Chateau-Thierry during the late World war. He was aged 31 years, 7 months and 18 days at his death.

David spent the most of his life in the community where he was born. His father died in 1894. In 1916 he moved to his mother's home in Alkabo, N. D. During these years, except when he went to school, he worked at farming.

On July 16, 1917, he enlisted in the American army, at Mile City, Mont. After military preparation in this country, be was sent to France, a member of Company E, 163rd Infantry. 41st (Sunset) division, arriving in France on January 1, 1918.

In the fore part of February he was sent into the trenches with his comrades, and served on the front continuously until he fell. Writing home to his mother under date of July 11, he stated, "If we live through this drive we expect to be home by Christmas." But God willed otherwise, and the patriotic young veteran was called away from this life and its strenuous warfare to meet his God.

The deceased fought valiantly in three battles—-Noyon, Aisne and Marne. These names are inscribed on the three bars of his military medal, a perpetual recognition from his government of its appreciation of his services.

The deceased was buried in a military cemetery in France. After three years the body has been sent back and will be buried in our cemetery. It might be mentioned here also that two brothers of the deceased, Grover and Thomas, also served in the late war, the first in the navy and the other in the army in France.

David leaves to mourn him his mother, Mrs. A. J. Nesby of Dell Rapids; five brothers, Edward of Alkabo, N. D., Grover, with the torpedo boat destroyer "Borie," Thomas of Philadelphia, and John and Frank of Trent; two sisters, Mrs. Bredevin of Alkabo, and Mrs. Cook of Crosby, N. D.

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Card of Thanks We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Legion boys, and all who so kindly assisted us to place our beloved soldier son and brother in his final resting place. And also those who honored his memory with donations of beautiful flowers. Mrs. A. J. Nesby and Children.

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David R. Ferguson, Co. E., 16th infantry, 41st Division.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 17 2016, 16:48:01 UTC