"History of Washington: The Evergreen State." Vol. 1. Julian Hawthorne, Ed. New York: American Historical Publishing Co., 1893. pp. 375-376. Ferguson, E.C. The development of the city of Snohomish has been largely the result of the personal efforts of one man, E.C. Ferguson. He was born in Westchester County, N.Y., March 5, 1833, and enjoyed only the educational advantages of the district school of his native place. Believing that the best chance for a young man was to be found in a new country, he left home at the age of twenty-one and came to the Pacific Coast via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in California, May 1st, 1854. There he engaged in mining and merchandising until 1858, and in July of that year left for the Frazer River gold fields. In November of the same year he returned to Steilacoom, Wash., and March 1st, 1869, located on the site of the present city of Snohomish. At that time an appropriation had been made by Congress for opening up a trail between Forts Steilacoom and Whatcom, and anticipating the passing of this trail, Mr. Ferguson obtained a small stock of goods and started a trading post. The appropriation giving out before the completion of the road, Mr. Ferguson with others determined to open up a trail eastward over the mountain. In August, 1860, they packed horses by way of the Skykomish River to the Similkameer, the Wenatchee, and the Columbia to Rock Creek and into the Okanogan mines. After his return from this trip Mr. Ferguson again embarked in the merchandise business at Snohomish, which he successfully continued until 1884, when he retired. Mr. Ferguson is recognized as the father and founder of Snohomish. He laid out the town in 1871, and from that time to the present has been a leader in every enterprise calculated to promote its growth in business, wealth, and population. His financial success has been gained in channels through which the entire community has been enriched. He owns a large amount of city real estate, is President of the Snohomish National Bank, the Snohomish Land Company, and the Snohomish, Skykomish and Spokane Railroad Company. He is a stockholder in the Snohomish Electric Light Works and the Snohomish and Everett Electric Road, and is identified with many other important enterprises, which have felt the impress of his influence and support. Much is due him for securing the city the benefits of the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern and Great Northern Railroads. Starting out early in life with few advantages, he has by hard labor and perseverance acquired a leading position among the business men of Washington, and by a life characterized by sterling integrity has won the respect and confidence of the people. He has at different times held almost every position of trust in the gift of his county. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature, five terms in the Council and two terms in the House, being Speaker of the latter body one session. At present he is serving his second term as Mayor of Snohomish. He was one of the Commissioners from Washington to the New Orleans Exposition, and is at present the World‚s Fair Commissioner for Snohomish County. Mr. Ferguson was married in 1869 to Miss Lucetta Morgan, of Olympia, Wash., by whom he has two daughters and one son. The elder daughter is the wife of Elmer Linfest, a prominent civil engineer of this place. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in August 2008 by Amber Brock, ajbrock at u dot washington dot edu.