Woodbridge Nathan Ferris

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

Early years

Ferris attended after primary school 1870-1873 the Oswego Normal Training School (now the State University of New York) and from 1873 to 1874, the University of Michigan, where he studied medicine for a year. He then began a career as a teacher. Between 1874 and 1884 he taught at various schools in Illinois. There he was at times as headmaster ( Superintendent ) operates.

Rise in Michigan

After a move to Big Rapids in Michigan in 1884, he founded the Ferris Industrial School, was later to become the Ferris State University. Until his death, Ferris was president of that institution. In addition, he was also president of the Big Rapids Savings Bank. In 1892, Ferris applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the gubernatorial election of 1904 he defeated Fred Warner. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, has been nominated for presidential candidate at the Woodrow Wilson.

Governor of Michigan

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

Further CV

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