James Ferguson (d.1940)
James Ferguson ( -1940) of Lane and Girvan
1915 Married.[1] to Jeanie Douglas Higgins
1940 December 16th. Died
1940 Obituary[2]
Death of well-known ironfounder Mr James Ferguson, Bonnybridge. His many friends in the light castings industry, with which he had been associated for many years, will learn with much regret of the death of Mr James Ferguson, chairman of the firm of Lane and Girvan, Ltd., Caledonia Stove Works, Bonnybridge, which took place on Monday at his residence, Woodlea House, Bonnybridge.
Mr Ferguson, who was a native of Stranraer, started his business career as an apprentice in the Union Bank of Scotland there. He served there for a time and afterwards in the Argyle Street Branch of the Bank at Glasgow. Subsequently, he resigned his post to enter the ironfoundry trade, and in 1910 he acquired Mr Girvan’s share of the partnership of Lane & Girvan, ironfounders, Bonnybridge.
In 1919, on the formation of the private company of Lane & Girvan, Ltd., he was appointed managing director, which position he held until 1937, when ill health necessitated his retiral from that post. On the death of the chairman, the late Mr William Ross Lane, in that year, he was appointed chairman of the company, and this office he held until his decease.
Mr Ferguson was director also of one or two other industrial companies in East Stirlingshire, including the Cannerton Brick Company, Ltd., Banknock; James Anderson & Co., Ltd., fireclay manufacturers, Glenyards; and the Anderson United Properties, Ltd., Denny.
In the social life and welfare of the Bonnybridge community, Mr Ferguson revealed a keen and generous interest, and was connected with many charitable organisations in the district. He was chairman for a number of years of the Bonnybridge and District Nursing Association; president of the Bonnybridge Silver Band and also of the Bonnybridge Bowling Club for a time; while he was a life member of Lodge St. John (Falkirk) No. 16. He was a much respected elder of St. Helen’s Church, High Bonnybridge. and for several years gave valued service as treasurer of the church.
Mr Ferguson was connected with several other smaller organisations in the Bonnybridge area, and was greatly respected by all with whom he came in contact. Mr Ferguson is survived Mrs Ferguson and family of four sons, three of whom are at present serving with H.M. Forces, and to all of them the sympathy of the community will be extended in their bereavement.