Woodbridge N. Ferris
Woodbridge Nathan Ferris | |
---|---|
28th Governor of Michigan | |
In office January 1, 1913 – January 1, 1917 | |
Lieutenant | John Q. Ross Luren D. Dickinson |
Preceded by | Chase Osborn |
Succeeded by | Albert Sleeper |
United States Senator from Michigan | |
In office March 4, 1923 – March 23, 1928 | |
Preceded by | Charles E. Townsend |
Succeeded by | Arthur H. Vandenberg |
Personal details | |
Born | Spencer, New York | January 6, 1853
Died | March 23, 1928 Washington, D.C. | (aged 75)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouses | Helen Frances Gillespie
(m. 1874; died 1917) Mary Ethel McLoud (m. 1921) |
Alma mater | Oswego 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
Woodbridge N. Ferris was born in a log cabin near Spencer, New York, on January 6, 1853, the first of seven children born to John Ferris Jr. and Estella (Reed) Ferris.[1][2] He was raised and educated in Spencer, and at age 14 enrolled in Spencer Academy.[1] At age 16, he attended a teacher's institute in Waverly and received his teaching credentials.[1] After a year of teaching, he decided to further his education at the academy in Owego.[1]
From 1870 to 1873, Woodbridge attended the Oswego Normal Training School (now State University of New York at Oswego).[1] At Oswego, Woodbridge's professors included Hermann Krusi, an instructor of drawing and geometry; Krusi's father had been chief assistant to Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi at Pestalozzi's school in Switzerland.[2] Krusi taught Woodbridge the Pestalozzi method of learning by hands on application rather than theoretical lectures, a concept Woodbridge continued to employ throughout his career as an educator.[2]
Start of career
After graduating from the Oswego normal school, Woodbridge returned to Spencer, where he became principal of the village's academy.[1] After a year as principal, Ferris attended the University of Michigan Medical School from 1873 to 1874. In December 1874, he married Helen Frances Gillespie, whom he met at Oswego, and who taught at the academy in Spencer while he was principal.[2] The couple had three sons: Carleton Gillespie (1876–1961), Clifford Wendell (1881, died just after three months), and Phelps Fitch (1889–1935). Ferris taught again at Spencer Academy from 1874 to 1875.[1]
In 1875, Ferris moved to Freeport, Illinois to become principal of the Freeport Business College and Academy.[3] In 1876, he became principal of the Normal Department of Rock River University.[3] In 1877, he co-founded the Dixon Business College and Academy of Dixon, Illinois.[3] In 1879, Ferris became superintendent of schools in Pittsfield, Illinois, where he remained until 1884.[3]
Continued career
In 1884, Ferris settled in Big Rapids, Michigan, where he established the Ferris Industrial School (now Ferris State University).[3] 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.[3]
In 1892, Ferris was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the U.S. House from Michigan's 11th district.[3] In 1904, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Michigan against Republican Fred M. Warner.[3] 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.[3] During his tenure, several reforms were introduced, including 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.[4] 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).[3]
In 1922, Ferris was elected to the United States Senate for the term beginning on March 4, 1923.[3] 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.[5] He was interred at Highlandview Cemetery in Big Rapids, as were his first wife, Helen, and his sons Carleton and Phelps.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Reid, Edward J. (December 8, 2011). "Woodbridge N. Ferris, Class of 1873: From Frontier Dweller to University Founder". Oswego Alumni Magazine. Oswego, New York: Office of University Advancement, State University of New York at Oswego.
- ^ a b c d "Our Founders: Woodbridge N. Ferris". History of Ferris State University. Big Rapids, Michigan: Ferris State University. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k United States Senate (1929). Memorial Addresses Delivered in the United States Senate In Memory of Woodbridge N. Ferris. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 17 – via Google Books.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Senator Ferris Passes Away In Capital". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. March 23, 1928. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Woodbridge N. Ferris Mausoleum Opening: 2017. Big Rapids, Michigan: Ferris State University. June 1, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via YouTube.
It is 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.
External links
United States Congress. "FERRIS, Woodbridge Nathan (id: F000092)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- 1853 births
- 1928 deaths
- Democratic Party governors of Michigan
- People from Big Rapids, Michigan
- Candidates in the 1924 United States presidential election
- American Unitarians
- Democratic Party United States senators from Michigan
- University of Michigan Medical School alumni
- People from Pittsfield, Illinois
- 20th-century Michigan politicians