Woodbridge Nathan Ferris

Woodbridge Ferris

Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (born January 6, 1853 in Spencer , Tioga County , New York , †  March 23, 1928 in Washington ) was an American politician and from 1913 to 1917 the 28th  governor of Michigan .

Early years

Ferris attended after elementary school between 1870 and 1873 the Oswego Normal Training School (today's State University of New York) and 1873 to 1874 the University of Michigan , where he studied medicine for a year. Then he started a career as a teacher. Between 1874 and 1884 he taught at various schools in Illinois . There he was temporarily employed as a school principal ( superintendent ).

Rise in Michigan

After moving to Big Rapids , Michigan, he founded the Ferris Industrial School in 1884 , which later became Ferris State University . Ferris remained president of this institution until his death. He was also President of Big Rapids Savings Bank . In 1892, Ferris ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the US House of Representatives . In the gubernatorial elections of 1904 he was defeated by Fred Warner . In 1912 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention , at which Woodrow Wilson was nominated as a presidential candidate.

Michigan governor

On November 5, 1912, Ferris was elected as the candidate of his Democratic Party for the new governor of his country and on January 1, 1913 in his office. After re-election in 1914, he was able to remain in office until January 1, 1917. He was the first Democrat in this position in 20 years. During his reign, a few farms were set up in Michigan where epileptics could work. A tuberculosis hospital ( Central Michigan Tuberculosis Sanatorium ) was also established at that time . Eventually the governor had to deal with a strike in the copper mines. In 1916 he was again a delegate at the Democratic Convention, where Woodrow Wilson was nominated for a second term as US President.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Ferris remained politically active. From 1923 until his death in 1928 he represented his state in the US Senate . Woodbridge Ferris was married twice and had three children in total.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Woodbridge Nathan Ferris in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Ferris at the National Governors Association (English)
• Woodbridge Nathan Ferris in the database of Find a Grave (English)