Governor James Edward Ferguson (1871-1941) was born near Salado, Bell County, Texas to James Edward and Fannie (Fitzpatrick) Ferguson. After traveling throughout the western United States in his youth, Ferguson studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1897, and began a law practice in Belton. In 1899, he married Miriam A. Wallace with whom he had two children. In addition to practicing law, Ferguson was associated with the Farmers State Bank of Belton, was a member of the Texas Bankers Association, and helped to establish the Temple State Bank. He also aided the political campaigns of Robert L. Henry (1902), Cone Johnson (1908), Robert V. Davidson (1910), and Oscar B. Colquitt (1912).
In 1914, Ferguson was nominated by the Democratic Party and elected Governor of Texas. Controversy arose when Ferguson vetoed appropriations to the University of Texas in 1916. As a result, movements to impeach Ferguson led to his conviction and removal from office. He sought reelection in 1918, but was defeated by William P. Hobby for the Democratic ticket. Two years later, Ferguson ran as the American Party candidate for President of the United States. He was also unsuccessful in running for the United States Senate in 1922. Later, he became the First Gentleman of Texas when his wife Miriam served as the first female governor from 1925 to 1927, and 1933 to 1935.
Source:
Steen, Ralph W. “Ferguson, James Edward.”
Scrapbooks comprise the James Edward Ferguson Scrapbooks, 1914-1940, documenting the impeachment of Governor James Edward Ferguson. The scrapbooks, containing newspaper clippings and broadsides (1914-1940), were compiled by the President's Office at the University of Texas at Austin.
James Edward Ferguson Scrapbooks, 1914-1940, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.
This collection was processed by archives staff.
Subsequent revisions were made by Evan Usler, September 2011.