He has during a quarter of a century devoted most of his time to professional labors as consulting and advising engineer to government work in Cuba and Peru, and to other public works in the Argentine Republic, Mexico, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.

His zeal and energy have been devoted with much success to promoting American interests in foreign countries. In the early part of 1886 he was appointed on a commission with several English engineers to sit in London, and ^ determine some engineering questions of great importance in connection with extensive and costly bridges to be built in Australia, but was unable to accept the honor.

His aim has been to so elevate national character that Americans can with pride say when traveling, I am an American citizen, and find it all sufficient, as he says, he found it in Russia, as his trunks were never opened when he presented his passport and the officials saw the name of Wm. H. Seward on the document.

GEORGE FERGUSON.

The life of Mr. Ferguson strikingly illustrates the working out of a great principle, namelj", that strict attention to business, accompanied by industrious habits, thorough integrity, and a true appreciation of the smaller matters of life, will give its result, just what it has gi\'en us in his case-- a sound financial success.

Mr. Ferguson was born December 15, 1831, at Esopus, Ulster County, N. Y., where his father, James Ferguson, was engaged in building. For a short ])eriod he enjoyed the privilege of the public school in his native place, and when the family removed to Fairfax Court House, Va., he attended its local school. The circumstances of the family early compelled him to contribute his share toward the general support, which he did by helping his father in the building trade.