02/03/2026
Our first highlight is Private Felix Ferguson.
Ferguson was born in 1893 or 1895 in Berkeley County, the son of Felix Ferguson and Keziah Brown. He worked as a farmer near Whitesville.
In December 1917, Ferguson registered for the draft at Moncks Corner. By April of the next year, he was a private in the 371st Infantry headed to France; Ferguson listed his place of residence on the departure sheet as "Oakley Depot". He served until February 24, 1919 and was honorably discharged in March 1919. Ferguson was awarded three citations for gallantry in action near Trieres Farm (France) in September 1918, continuing to fight though he had trench foot.
Unfortunately, Ferguson's post-war life was short. He passed away in January 1920, less than a year after returning home. His cause of death was nephritis, with the condition "discovered soon after return from Army." While it's not listed as such, it's possible that Ferguson died of trench nephritis, an infection first recognized during the War. He left behind a wife and three or four children.
Ferguson is buried at Beaufort National Cemetery. His American Victory Medal and Silver Star are on display here at the Berkeley County Museum.
