Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 2
Gender: Male
Age at election: 35
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 5/22/1857
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 3/30/1910
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 4/2/1910
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Elmwood Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Emma V. Pelham of Petersburg, VA, 8/20/1878, in Detroit; children: Meta and Norine;
he was a widower at the time of his death
Number of Children: 2
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: printer, real estate, lawyer
Race: African American or Negro or Black
Education:
Graduated with honors from Detroit High School, 1876.
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Joseph and Martha (Webb) Ferguson. Founded Ferguson Printing Company, 1883. Member of Michigan state house of representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1893-96.
Notable Facts:
First African-American elected to the MI House of Representatives, 1892. First African-American child to enter the public schools of Detroit. Plaintiff in discrimination suit tried before Michigan Supreme Court, 1890. Site address: http://www.blackpast.org/?q=primary/william-w-ferguson-vs-edward-g-gies
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Insurance , Printing , Upper Peninsula Prison
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Detroit
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Engrossment and Enrollment, Michigan Asylum for Insane Criminals, Printing
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Detroit
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
AlWoMin2002 p.328; AALM p.33; Manual 1893, p. 601-02; Manual 1895, p. 566; SeekMI; USCen 1880, 1900; MIMar 1822-1995;
