History of Mackinac Island, (Mackinac County) Michigan United States of America

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Thomas White Ferry, senator, was born in Mackinac, Mich., June 1, 1826; son of the Rev. William Montague and Amanda (White) Ferry. His father was born in 1769, graduated at Union college in 1821, was a missionary in Michigan after 1821, establishing a school at Mackinac, and afterward engaged in the lumber business at Grand Haven, becoming wealthy and leaving to benevolent objects at his death in 1867, $120,000. Thomas was educated at the public school and engaged in the lumbering business at Grand Haven. He was county clerk; a state representative, 1850-56; state senator in 1856; delegate-at-large to the Republican national convention of 1860; and delegate to the Loyalist's convention, Philadelphia, 1866. He was a representative in the 39th, 40th and 41st congresses, 1865-71, and re-elected to the 42d congress but did not take his seat, having been elected a U.S. senator to succeed Senator Howard and taking his seat, March 4, 1871. He was chosen president pro-tempore of the senate, March 9th and 19th and Dec. 20, 1875, and was acting vice-president of the United States from the death of Vice-President Wilson, Nov. 22, 1875, until March 4, 1877. In the absence of President Grant he presided at the opening of the Centennial exposition at Philadelphia, July 4, 1876, and delivered the address. He also presided at the impeachment trial of Secretary Belknap and at the sixteen joint meetings of congress, and during the electoral count, 1876-77. He was re-elected U.S. senator, Jan. 17, 1877, and was president protempore of the senate, March 5, 1877, Feb. 26, 1878, April 17, 1878 and March 3, 1879. In 1883 he was again a candidate before the state legislature for re-election to the U.S. senate and after balloting from January 16th to March 17th, Thomas W. Palmer was elected. He died in Grand Haven, Mich., Oct. 14, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Mackinac Island, (Mackinac County) Michigan

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