Biography of Thomas White Ferry  Portrait and Biographical Record, Pgs. 134, 135 HON. THOMAS WHITE FERRY, of Grand Haven, who was from 1875 to 1877President of the United States Senate, and acting Vice-President of the UnitedStates, was born at Mackinac, June 1, 1827, and was but seven years old when heremoved with his parents to the wild home at Grand Haven, to experience thehardships and adversities of pioneer life. He received a common-school educationand was bred to business pursuits. With the exception of two years spent as aclerk in a store in Illinois, he remained a co-laborer with his father until thelatter’s death, in 1867. In partnership with his brother, E. P. Ferry, helater continued the lumber business, which under his general management wasprosecuted with energy and success. He early manifested an interest in public matters, and at the age oftwenty-one years was chosen County Clerk of Ottawa County. Two years later, in1850, he was elected a Representative to the Michigan Legislature to serve aterm of two years. In 1856 he was elected State Senator for two years. For eightyears he was an active member of the State Republican Committee. He was adelegate-at-large, and one of the Vice-Presidents of the National RepublicanConvention at Chicago in 1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln. In 1863 he wasappointed Commissioner for Michigan of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery atGettysburg. In 1864 he was elected a Representative to the Thirty-ninthCongress, and was re-elected successively to the Fortieth, Forty-first andForty-second Congresses, serving on some of the most important committees. InJanuary, 1871, after an exciting contest, he was elected United States Senatorfor six years. He consequently surrendered his fourth-term place in the House ofRepresentatives of the Forty-second Congress, and took his place in the SenateMarch 4, 1871. His services of six years in the House, and the legislativeexperience there obtained, were recognized when he entered the Senate. He waschosen Chairman of the Committee on Revision of Rules; afterwards wasrepeatedly-elected President pro tempore of the Senate; and by virtue ofthis office, upon the death of Vice-President Wilson, became ActingVice-President of the United States. He was president of the joint meeting ofthe two houses of Congress during the intensely exciting count of the electoralvotes resulting in the choice of President Hayes and Vice-President Wheeler. Inthis position he acquitted himself with such impartiality and ability, that hewas re-elected March 4, 1877, by a unanimous vote President pro tempore ofthe Senate. In January, 1877, he was re-elected United States Senator, to servefor the term of six years. In early life he acted with the Whigs, but joined theRepublican party as soon as it was organized, and at once became a zealousadvocate of its principles. In every campaign since 1860, he has canvassed theState in behalf of the Republican candidate. As a public speaker his power liesin his earnest language, concise statements and sound logic, without any attemptat eloquence or oratorical display. His course in Congress has met with thegeneral approbation of the people of all parties in Michigan. He has done muchto advance the interests of his native State. To his efforts Michigan isgenerally indebted for the generous river and harbor improvements which have somaterially aided in developing her resources and in preserving the lives andproperty of her citizens. It was mainly through his efforts, also, that thebeautiful Island of Mackinac, or as much of it as belongs to the United States,has been converted into a National Park. He also labored zealously in the causeof the soldiers and sailors of Michigan who participated in the late Civil War.His speeches on finance have been widely read and are highly valued. He has donemuch to perfect the postal system, and his work on the Committee on Postofficesand Post Roads has elicited the highest praise from the press throughout thecountry. The present rules of the United States Senate, adopted by that bodyunder his revision and report, are a standing tribute to his ability as aparliamentarian. To promote the general welfare has been the object of hisCongressional life. An indefatigable worker, couteous and upright, his careerreflects honor upon his State and country.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 288,291

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 10 January 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index