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Woodbridge N. Ferris

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Woodbridge Nathan Ferris
28th Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 1913 – January 1, 1917
LieutenantJohn Q. Ross
Luren D. Dickinson
Preceded byChase Osborn
Succeeded byAlbert Sleeper
United States Senator
from Michigan
In office
March 4, 1923 – March 23, 1928
Preceded byCharles E. Townsend
Succeeded byArthur H. Vandenberg
Personal details
Born(1853-01-06)January 6, 1853
Spencer, New York
DiedMarch 23, 1928(1928-03-23) (aged 75)
Washington, D.C.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Helen Frances Gillespie
(m. 1874; died 1917)
Mary Ethel McLoud
(m. 1921)
Alma materOswego Normal Training School
University of Michigan

Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (January 6, 1853 – March 23, 1928) was an American educator from New York, Illinois and Michigan who served as the 28th governor of Michigan and in the United States Senate as a Democrat. He was the founder and namesake of Ferris State University.

Early life in New York, Michigan and Illinois

Ferris was born to John Ferris Jr. and Estella (Reed) Ferris in a log cabin near Spencer, New York, and attended the academies of Spencer, Candor, and Owego, and the Oswego Normal Training School (now State University of New York at Oswego) from 1870 to 1873. He went to the medical department of the University of Michigan from 1873 to 1874.

In April 1874, Ferris returned to his home state and on December 23 in Fulton, he married Helen Frances Gillespie (born September 7, 1853). The couple had three sons: Carleton Gillespie (1876–1961), Clifford Wendell (1881, died just after three months), and Phelps Fitch (1889–1935). Ferris taught at Spencer Academy from 1874 to 1875.

He then moved to Freeport, Illinois, and became principal of the Freeport Business College and Academy from 1875 to 1876 and then principal of the Normal Department of the Rock River University, 1876-1877. Then he taught in Dixon, Illinois, where he was also co-founder of the Dixon Business College and Academy, 1877–1879. Ferris then became superintendent of schools in Pittsfield, Illinois, from 1879 to 1884.

Life and politics in Michigan

Governor Ferris in 1916

Ferris then settled in Big Rapids, Michigan, where in 1884 he established the Ferris Industrial School (which became Ferris State University). There he received the nickname "The Big Rapids Schoolmaster", and served as president until his death. He was also president of the Big Rapids Savings Bank.

In 1892, he was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate from the 11th district to the 53rd Congress to serve in the U.S. House, being defeated by John Avery. In 1904, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Michigan against Republican Fred M. Warner. In 1912, he was a delegate to Democratic National Convention which nominated Woodrow Wilson for U.S. President.

Ferris was elected Governor of Michigan in 1912, becoming the first Democratic governor in 20 years, and he served from 1913 to 1917. During his tenure, several reforms were introduced[1][2] such as a farm colony for epileptics and the Central Michigan Tuberculosis Sanatorium. In addition, the bitter Copper Country Strike of 1913–1914 occurred during Ferris's tenure. In 1914, he was named honorary president of the First National Conference on Race Betterment, a conference on eugenics held at the Battle Creek Sanatorium; because of the mine strike, he did not attend the conference.[3] In 1916, he was again a delegate to Democratic National Convention which nominated President Woodrow Wilson for re-election. Ferris's successful governorship and his easy to recognize appearance—tall, with a full head of silver-gray hair—led to the nickname the "Good Gray Governor".

On March 23, 1917, fewer than three months after departing office, his wife Helen died after 43 years of marriage. In 1920, he was an unsuccessful candidate for governor, being defeated by Alex Groesbeck. On August 14, 1921, he married Mary E. McCloud (1882–1954).

In 1922, Ferris was elected to the United States Senate; he served alongside Republican James Couzens beginning March 4, 1923. As a senator and former teacher, Ferris supported the establishment of a federal Department of Education. In 1924, Ferris was again a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and was Michigan's favorite son candidate for the presidential nomination, and received 30 votes on the first ballot. The convention eventually nominated John W. Davis, who lost the general election to Calvin Coolidge.

Death

Ferris died in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 1928.[4] He was interred at Highlandview Cemetery in Big Rapids, as were his first wife, Helen, and his sons Carleton and Phelps.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Title: Labor Legislation of 1915 : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 186, P.187-199
  2. ^ Gov. Woodbridge N. Ferris biography
  3. ^ Race Betterment Foundation (1914). Robbins, Emily F. (ed.). Proceedings of the first National Conference on Race Betterment, January 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1914. Battle Creek, Michigan. Battle Creek, Michigan: Gage Printing Company. pp. xi, 596.
  4. ^ "Senator Ferris Passes Away In Capital". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. March 23, 1928. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Woodbridge N. Ferris Mausoleum Opening: 2017. Big Rapids, Michigan: Ferris State University. June 1, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via YouTube. It is the the eternal resting place of Ferris State University founders Woodbridge and Helen Gillespie Ferris and their sons, Phelps Fitch and Carleton Gillespie.

Further reading

  • Fuller, George (ed.). Messages of the Governors of Michigan. Vol. 4. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. ISBN 978-0-87013-723-5.

United States Congress. "FERRIS, Woodbridge Nathan (id: F000092)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan
1904
Succeeded by
Charles H. Kimmerle
Preceded by
Lawton T. Hemans
Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan
1912, 1914
Succeeded by
Preceded by
John W. Bailey
Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan
1920
Succeeded by
Alva M. Cummins
Preceded by
Lawrence Price
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Michigan
(Class 1)

1922
Succeeded by
John W. Bailey
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Michigan
1913–1917
Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Michigan
1923–1928
Succeeded by