Ferguson was the second of seven children born to Scottish shearer and boundary rider, William Ferguson and his Aboriginal wife Emily, nee Ford. Ferguson worked in shearing sheds in the Riverina from 1896 and became a shed organiser for the Australian Workers' Union. After his marriage, Ferguson lived at both Narrandera and Gulargambone; in the latter area he re-formed a local branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP).
In 1937, Ferguson launched the Aborigines' Progressive Association in Dubbo and later opened further branches on reserves. On Australia Day 1938, Ferguson, along with William Cooper and John Patten, organised a 'Day of Mourning' conference for Aboriginal people. During the 1940s, Ferguson worked with the Welfare Board, dealing with complaints from reserve residents. In 1949, angered by the lack of political will to deal with Aboriginal issues, Ferguson resigned from the ALP and stood for election as an Independent for the New South Wales seat of Lawson - he attracted only 388 votes. In 1950, Ferguson collapsed after making a speech and died in the Dubbo Base Hospital. Ferguson is also the grandfather of June E. Barker. (Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol.8, 1981.)
See also Australian Dictionary of Biography entry.
