Fenner FERGUSON, Congress, NE (1814-1859)

FERGUSON, Fenner, a Delegate from the Territory of Nebraska; born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, N.Y., April 25, 1814; attended the common schools; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1840 and commenced practice in Albany, N.Y.; moved to Albion, Mich., in 1846 and continued the practice of law; served successively as master in chancery, district attorney, and member of the State house of representatives 1854-1859; appointed by President Pierce as chief justice of the Territory of Nebraska in 1854; moved to Bellevue, Nebr., in October 1854; organized the first district and supreme courts of Nebraska; assisted the first Territorial legislature in drafting the first code of laws enacted for the government of the Territory; resigned as chief justice, having been elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1857-March 3, 1859); was not a candidate for renomination in 1858; died in Bellevue, Nebr., on October 11, 1859; interment in Bellevue Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present