William Webb Ferguson

William Webb Ferguson (May 22, 1857 – March 30, 1910)[1] was the first African-American man elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.

William Webb Ferguson
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Wayne County 1st district
In office
January 4, 1893 – December 31, 1896
Personal details
Born(1857-05-22)May 22, 1857
Detroit, Michigan
DiedMarch 30, 1910(1910-03-30) (aged 52)
Detroit, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Emma V. Pelham
Children2
Alma materDetroit High School

Early life

Ferguson was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents Joseph and Martha Ferguson. In 1876, Ferguson graduated with honors from Detroit High School as the first African-American child to attend public high school in Detroit. In 1883, Ferguson founded the Ferguson Printing Company.[1]

Personal life

Ferguson married Emma V. Pelham, born in Petersburg, Virginia, on August 20, 1878. Together, they would have two children, Meta and Norine.[1]

State Supreme Court Case
Portrait of William Webb Ferguson now hanging in the Michigan State Capitol painted by Joshua Adam Risner in 2018.

After discrimination faced in a restaurant on August 15, 1889, Ferguson sued the restaurant manager, Edward G. Gies, in Wayne County Circuit Court. After losing this case, he appealed it to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1890. Ferguson would win this case, the first case of racial discrimination in the state of Michigan.[1][2][3][4]

Political career

Ferguson was sworn in as member of the Michigan House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District on January 4, 1893. He served until December 31, 1896. Ferguson was a member of the Republican party.[1]

Death

Ferguson would outlive his wife. Ferguson died on March 30, 1910 in Detroit. Ferguson was interred on April 2, 1910 at the Elmwood Cemetery.[1]

Legacy

On February 28, 2018, a portrait of Ferguson painted by Joshua Adam Risner was unveiled at the Michigan State Capitol by the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus due to a bill introduced by State Representative Sheldon Neeley. [3][4][5]

References
  1. "Legislator Details - William Webb Ferguson". Library of Michigan. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  2. "(1890) Ferguson vs. Gies". Black Past. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  3. "Michigan's first African American legislator's portrait to adorn wall in State Capitol". ABC12. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  4. "William Webb Ferguson's portrait unveiled in Capitol". ABC12. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  5. "William Webb Ferguson, First African-American Legislator Honored". Michigan State University. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
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