Legislator Details

Image of Thomas White Ferry
Image Description:
Portrait of Thomas White Ferry scanned from Rep.Dist. 5 page following p.148.

Thomas White Ferry
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 23

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 6/1/1827
City: Mackinac Island, MI
County: Mackinac County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 10/13/1896
City: Grand Haven, MI
County: Ottawa County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Grand Haven, MI
County: Ottawa County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Lake Forest Cemetery

Marital Information:
never married

Number of Children: 0

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: businessman, lumberman
Race:

Education:
Common school

Biographical Sketch:
Son of Rev. William M. Ferry, Presbyterian missionary to Mackinac Island. Moved with his parents to Grand Haven, MI at age 6. Operated a lumber business with his brother E.P. He was a member of the board of supervisors at 21; County clerk of Ottawa Co.; Commissioner for Michigan on the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg, 1863. Influenced the creation of Mackinac Island lands becoming a national park.

Notable Facts:
Born in the old mission house of the Astor Fur Co. on Mackinac Isl. Elected 39th-41st Congresses (3/4/1865-3/3/1871); elected to the US Senate serving from 3/4/1871-3/3/1883;served as Pres. pro tempore of the Senate during the 44th-45th Congr.; chair, Comm. on Rules (43rd-45th Congr.), Comm. on Post Office & Post Roads (45th-47th Congr.); presided over the high ct of impeachment of Sec.of War Wm Belknap. Acting Vice Pres. of the US after the death of Vice Pres. Wilson. CongBio & PolGryd list birth date as 6/10; Rep. Dist. v.5 lists it as 6/1.

Sessions Served:

Nineteenth Legislature, 1857-1858
Chamber: Senate
Party: Unknown
Committees Served On: Claims, Division of Towns and Counties, State Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Grand Haven
County of Residence Ottawa
District: 31
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1856
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1857
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Sixteenth Legislature, 1851-1852
Chamber: House
Party: Unknown
Committees Served On: Education , State Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Grand Haven
County of Residence Ottawa
District: Ottawa
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/5/1850
Date Sworn In: 2/5/1851
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

CongBio p.1024; PolGryd; RepDist 5:148-49, portrait facing p.148; DFP 10/15/1896 p.3, includes sketch, and p.4; Manual 1857 p.34
View Bibliographical Sources