Ferguson Munro

Ferguson (Fergie) Munro was born in 1902 near Manchester in Reach Township. He attended public school in Manchester. In 1913, Fergie moved to Shady Nook Farm, Brock Township, Concession 2, near Sonya. Over the next 70 years, he operated a mixed farm with his father and subsequently with his children and grandchildren, growing mixed grains and hay. He also raised beef cattle and milked Holsteins shipping cream to Free’s Creamery in Sunderland. He had a large vegetable garden and raised upwards of 500 chickens a year selling their eggs. Fergie was in the first group of three farmers in the Sonya area, who, in 1928 signed up for rural electrification.
Fergie enjoyed working with horses on the farm and took pride showing them at the numerous fairs in the area. It wasn’t until 1950 that Queenie and Prince – Topsy and Dolly, the last two teams of horses employed on the family farm were retired.

Fergie’s interest in community service was sparked in 1934 when he joined the International Order of Odd Fellows. Fergie was dedicated to community improvement and had a natural ability to manage people and get things done.

Recognizing these qualities, Brock elected Fergie as its Reeve from 1950 to 1954. In 1951, he served as Warden of Ontario County.

Never losing his love of agricultural fairs, Fergie proudly served as President of the Sunderland Agriculture Society in 1958-1959. Given his family’s ongoing involvement with the Sunderland Fall Fair, Fergie’s love of community and an agricultural way of life was clearly inspirational.