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Page 3 of 4 <br /> <br />To tell a bit more about these individuals (photographs depict their specific temporary headstone, if <br />present): <br /> <br />Frank M. Henson was born in Shelby County, Illinois in 1845. At the <br />age of 19, he enlisted in Company C of the 29th Regiment of the <br />United States Colored Troops/Infantry (Illinois Infantry) at <br />Jacksonville, Illinois on November 2, 1864. He mustered out of <br />service on November 6, 1865 at Brownsville, Texas due to the end of <br />the war. He arrived in Ellensburgh with his friend John B. Fogarty, <br />and took to work at Fogarty’s ranch along with the stables of <br />Clarence S. Palmer. On January 9, 1917, he suffered an aortic <br />aneurysm and died, and was buried in the IOOF Cemetery. In his <br />obituary, it was stated, “He was an amiable, honest man and had the respect of all who knew him.” <br /> <br />Frederick A. Stephens had been born on February 16, 1829 in <br />Philadelphia. During the Mexican War, he served as a fifer <br />under General Zachary Taylor, 1844-1846. This was an <br />important role and was noted when he enlisted on February 8, <br />1864 in Company D of the 8th Ohio Calvary, where he was <br />assigned the role of bugler. He mustered out on May 25, 1865 <br />at Camp Chase, Ohio due to the end of the war. He had lived in Washington State since April 4, 1907 <br />with his wife Mary Ann, and had worked in Ellensburg as a harness maker. He died on March 6, 1917 as <br />a result of chronic Bright’s Disease (a historic disease similar to kidney failure) and was buried in the <br />IOOF Cemetery. <br /> <br />James N. Ferguson was born on May 7, 1840 in Ontario, <br />Canada and had moved to Pierson, Michigan in his youth. <br />When he enlisted in Company E of the 10th Michigan <br />Calvary, he was listed as a farmer. He served 2 years, 2 <br />months, and 21 days, and was discharged on November 11, <br />1865 in Memphis, Tennessee. He married Mahala Delree <br />on February 8, 1866 in Michigan and set about a number of <br />ventures in the Pacific Northwest, often returning to <br />Michigan. In 1911, he acquired a homestead in Alberta where both of his children resided. Soon after <br />that, he moved to Ellensburg, where he resided with John S. Coble at the corner of Capital Avenue and <br />Maple Street. It was there that James N. Ferguson died of a paralytic stroke on February 28, 1918 and <br />was buried in the IOOF Cemetery. <br /> <br />We would like to get the permission and support of the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners for our <br />project to place three permanent headstones in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery. It is <br />important that these individuals who contributed to the building of our community and served their <br />country are no longer forgotten. <br /> <br />Thank you for your attention and consideration.