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 |
January 6, 1853 Spencer, New York |
| Died | March 23, 1928 (aged 75) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
1. Helen Frances Gillespie 2. Mary Ethel McLoud |
| Alma mater |
Oswego Normal Training School University of Michigan |
| Religion | Unitarian |
1. Helen Frances Gillespie
Woodbridge Nathan Ferris (January 6, 1853 – March 23, 1928) was an educator from New York, Illinois and Michigan, as well as Democratic statesman and the 28th Governor of Michigan (1913–1917).
Ferris was born to John Ferris Jr. and Estella (Reed) Ferris in a log cabin near Spencer, New York and attended the academies of Spencer, Candor, and Owego (see autobiography posted on Ferris State University Webpage. Owego and Oswego are frequently confused.), and the Oswego Normal Training School (now State University of New York at Oswego) from 1870–1873. He went to the medical department of the University of Michigan from 1873–1874.
In April 1874, Ferris returned to his home state and on December 23 in Fulton he married Helen Frances Gillespie (born September 7, 1853). The couple had three sons; Carleton Gillespie (1876–1961), Clifford Wendell (1881, died just after three months), and Phelps Fitch (1889–1935). Ferris taught at Spencer Academy from 1874-1875.
He then moved to Freeport, Illinois and became principal of the Freeport Business College and Academy from 1875–1876 and then principal of the Normal Department of the Rock River University, 1876-77. Then he taught in Dixon, Illinois where he was also co-founder of the Dixon Business College and Academy, 1877-1879. Ferris then became superintendent of schools in Pittsfield, Illinois from 1879-1884.
Ferris then settled in Big Rapids, Michigan, where in 1884 he established the Ferris Industrial School (which became Ferris State University). 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.
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Wikipedia