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Ferguson Funeral Home Museum Robert B. Ferguson, Jr. F.D., Owner |
Ferguson Funeral Home Museum |
The History of the Ferguson Funeral HomeThe Ferguson Funeral Home today is the culmination of many generations that have passed along lifetimes of knowledge, always offering their community the best standards in the undertaking business. Samuel D. Aultman
What influenced Samuel D. Autlman the most was his service in the Civil War. There he learned how to be a field mortuary technician. Once he arrived back in Scottdale, PA, he used this knowledge to open his own funeral parlor at 120 Pittsburgh Street in 1880. Samuel’s career was quite successful and he is noted in the Scottdale area for introducing the then new technique of embalming. James Patrick Owens
Soon after, Owens met William Ferguson, who was working at the local casket factory. They formed a partnership in 1901 known as the Owens-Ferguson Furniture and Undertaking Company. Before he died in 1938, James Patrick Owens sold the business to his partner William. William Ferguson
The partnership between Owens and Ferguson began in 1901 when they formed the Owens & Ferguson Furniture & Undertaking Company. Ferguson schooled himself in the field of mortuary science by graduating from the Barnes School of Anatomy with a degree in embalming and sanitary science. William even trained his sons George and John so they could take over the business when he retired. In addition to William’s mortuary work, his carving and cabinet making skills made him a legend in the Scottdale area. In fact, many of his works can be seen in the Ferguson Funeral Home Museum. William’s stern business sense earned him the name “The Boss.” He helped many families with financial hardship through the depression and through two world wars. He continued his work up until his own death in 1951. George and John Ferguson
It was difficult at first for the community to adjust to using the services of a professional funeral home. Most people were accustomed to having funerals in their own homes. As a result, the newly built funeral home was barely used during its first few years. After inheriting the business from his father, George died tragically one year and ten days later from a stroke. His wife Nellie Ritchie Ferguson operated the business on a widow’s license until 1963. Robert B. Ferguson
In addition, Robert took a seat in the public service sector. However, he spent most of his time cultivating the business and later training his own son, Robert B. Ferguson, Jr. The two worked side by side as a great team. In the early 1990s Robert decided to retire and pass the business along to his son, the current owner of Ferguson Funeral Home. Today Robert B. Ferguson still welcomes families to the “House that Service Built.” Robert B. Ferguson, Jr.
Rob is constantly looking for new marketing strategies that will help his business grow and sustain. When he transitioned into ownership of the Ferguson Funeral Home in 1993, he began a major renovation program and a progressive public relations project that resulted in a great deal of growth. Among the items that Rob invested was the cremation service that is available through Ferguson Cremations (www.FergusonCremations.com). This service is convenient, personal and regionalized. Rob also undertook the construction of a carriage house and the restoration of an 1880 Rockfalls horse-drawn hearse. He uses these wonderful historical recreations to tell the story of Scottdale through the eyes of the oldest business in the community. Rob also created a video documentary that offers personalized detail and attention to the funeral process. |
Ferguson Funeral Home Museum • Located in Scottdale in
Southwestern, PA for over 125 years |
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