Fenner Ferguson
Fenner Ferguson | |
|---|---|
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| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Nebraska Territory's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | Bird Chapman |
| Succeeded by | Experience Estabrook |
| Chief Justice of the Territorial Nebraska Supreme Court | |
| In office 1854–1857 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Augustus Hall |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Calhoun County district | |
| In office January 1, 1849 – December 31, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | John Pierce |
| Succeeded by | Henry Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 25, 1814 Nassau, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1859 (aged 45) Bellevue, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Fenner Ferguson (April 25, 1814 – October 11, 1859) was an American attorney and politician from Nebraska Territory. He was most notable for his service as member of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1849, chief justice of Nebraska Territory from 1854 to 1857, and Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska territory (1857–1859).
Biography[edit]
Fenner Ferguson was born in Nassau, New York on April 25, 1814, the son of Stephen Ferguson and Dorothy (Palmer) Ferguson.[1][2] His father Stephen Ferguson owned and operated a farm, and Fenner Ferguson worked on the farm while attending the local schools.[1] After graduating from Nassau Academy and deciding on a career as an attorney, Ferguson studied law at the Albany, New York firm of Coon and Branhall.[1][3] He was Admission to the bar in 1840 and commenced practice in Albany as a partner in Coon, Branhall, and Ferguson.[1][4]
In 1846, Ferguson moved to Albion, Michigan, where he continued the practice of law.[1] a Democrat, he served as master in chancery and district attorney.[1] In 1849, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives.[1]
In 1854, President Franklin Pierce appointed Ferguson to serve as chief justice of the Nebraska Territory, and Ferguson relocated to Bellevue, Nebraska.[1] While on the bench, he organized the first district and supreme courts of Nebraska, and assisted the first Territorial legislature in drafting the first code of laws enacted for the government of the Territory.[1] He resigned as chief justice in 1857, having been elected as a Democrat to serve as Nebraska Territory's non-voting delegate in the 35th Congress.[1] Ferguson served from March 4, 1857 to March 3, 1859.[1] He was not a candidate for re-nomination in 1858.[1]
Ferguson died in Bellevue, Nebraska, on October 11, 1859.[1] He was buried at Bellevue Cemetery in Bellevue.[5]
Family[edit]
In 1841, Ferguson married Helena E. Upjohn of Troy, New York.[1] They were the parents of four sons, Arthur N., Alfred G., Stephen W. and Charles F.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Forbes, Alice Ferguson (January 1925). "Fenner Ferguson, First Chief Justice of Nebraska". Nebraska Law Bulletin. Lincoln, NE: Nebraska State Bar Association. pp. 308–316 – via Google Books.
- ^ Light, Richard Upjohn (1990). Upjohn: A Study in Ancestry, Covering 14 Generations and 450 Years. Vol. I. Kalamazoo, MI: R. U. Light. p. 186 – via Google Books.
- ^ Bicentennial Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States (1983). Judges of the United States (Second ed.). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 160 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Fenner Ferguson: Background Note". Nebraska Stata Historical Society Manuscript Finding Aid: Fenner Ferguson. Lincoln, NE: History Nebraska. April 1, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ bwhiteing (January 16, 2011). "History of Bellevue Cemetery". Nebraska Gravestones.org. Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
External links[edit]
- United States Congress. "Fenner Ferguson (id: F000080)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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- 1814 births
- 1859 deaths
- 19th-century American judges
- 19th-century American lawyers
- 19th-century American legislators
- Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska Territory
- Democratic Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives
- Michigan lawyers
- Michigan state court judges
- Nebraska Democrats
- New York (state) lawyers
- People from Bellevue, Nebraska
- People from Rensselaer County, New York
- People from Seward, Nebraska
- Nebraska politician stubs