Over his life, Ferguson served as county commissioner, postmaster, a Washington state legislator, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Snohomish City Council President, justice of the peace, and mayor of Snohomish, as well as realtor, saloon keeper, and store owner.

He soon left the business behind to run a sawmill located in Greenwood Valley, El Dorado County.

While in Steilacoom, Ferguson along with Edson Cady, Egbert H. Tucker, and Hiel Barnes decided to head north and settle land around the Snohomish River with the goal of establishing a ferry and road for future military use.

During a short-lived gold rush in Okanogan County, Ferguson sold subscriptions to establish a trail from Cadyville to the site.

Communication with the county seat was difficult due to limited infrastructure in the region, and after a settler by the name of T. P. Carter was killed by local natives desire for closer governance ran high.

Efforts were made to organize a petition to send to Olympia, but before it could even be assembled the territorial legislature moved to grant Snohomish County its independence.

[1] He handled approximately three letters a month,[4] so to save money Ferguson arranged a deal with the post office in Mukilteo.

Because of this frugal if not timely practice, Ferguson achieved a surplus of 27 cents at the end of the quarter and remitted it to Washington, D.C.[1] Thereafter the government decided to cover the expense of moving mail from Mukileo and Snohomish.

Having little time to actively wait as bartender, so he simply put change in the register and prominently displayed the price list for drinks.

Before meeting his future wife, Ferguson lived with an Indian woman who gave birth to a girl.

Following the marriage, Ferguson transferred the ownership of the Blue Eagle Saloon to his brother and assumed the life of a family man.