Elisha P. Ferry
| Elisha Peyre Ferry | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 10th Governor of Washington Territory | |
|
In office April 26, 1872 – November 1, 1880 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward S. Salomon |
| Succeeded by | William A. Newell |
| 1st Governor of Washington | |
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In office November 11, 1889 – January 9, 1893 |
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| Preceded by |
Miles Conway Moore as Territorial Governor |
| Succeeded by | John McGraw |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 9, 1825 Monroe County, Michigan Territory |
| Died | October 14, 1895 (aged 70) Seattle, Washington |
| Political party | Republican |
Elisha Peyre Ferry (August 9, 1825 – October 14, 1895) was the first Governor of the U.S. State of Washington. Ferry was a Republican lawyer who had twice been Governor of Washington Territory, the only one to serve two terms. On Washington's admission as a state on November 11, 1889, he became its inaugural governor, serving one term, stepping down in 1893 through failing health.
Elisha Peyre Ferry was born in Monroe County in the Michigan Territory, near Detroit. His parents were Peter Ferry and Clarissa Peyre-Ferry, who soon moved to the small town of Waukegan, Illinois, where Peter served as a judge. Elisha graduated early from high school, and then from Fort Wayne Law School, Indiana, passing the bar examination at just twenty. He then practised successfully as a lawyer in Waukegan for the next twenty-three years, marrying Sarah Brown Kellog (1827–1912), with whom he had five children:
All the children carried the middle name Peyre, his mother’s maiden name, of French origin. The Ferry family lived according to strict religious rules, as prominent members of the Episcopal Church. Ferry and his family were members of St. John's Episcopal Church (Olympia, Washington), where they were active both church leadership and organizations. Elisha was noted for his high ethical standards, both in his profession and in the community.
Elisha was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, serving as Grand Master in 1878. In addition he held the rank of a Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and was a founding member of the Seattle Scottish Rite.
Ferry became the Presidential Elector of Illinois in 1852, and then the first mayor of Waukegan in 1859, winning by a big majority. In 1862 he was a delegate at the Illinois State Constitutional Convention. During the American Civil War, Ferry joined the Union Army, helping to organize the Illinois regiment, and making friends with Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln – important connections for the rising politician.
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