Fenner Ferguson
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 byBird Chapman
Succeeded byExperience Estabrook
Chief Justice of the Territorial Nebraska Supreme Court
In office
1854–1857
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byAugustus Hall
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Calhoun County district
In office
January 1, 1849 – December 31, 1849
Preceded byJohn Pierce
Succeeded byHenry Clark
Personal details
Born(1814-04-25)April 25, 1814
Nassau, New York, U.S.
DiedOctober 11, 1859(1859-10-11) (aged 45)
Bellevue, Nebraska, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic

Fenner Ferguson (April 25, 1814 – October 11, 1859) was an American attorney and politician from the 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

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

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ bwhiteing (January 16, 2011). "History of Bellevue Cemetery". Nebraska Gravestones.org. Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project. Retrieved August 26, 2021.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byBird Chapman Delegate to the U.S. House of Representativesfrom the Nebraska Territory's at-large congressional district 1857–1859 Succeeded byExperience Estabrook


Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska
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