James E. Ferguson
At 16, he left home and drifted through the states of the American West, working successively in a vineyard, a mine, a barbed wire factory, and at a grain ranch."[12] Prior to his inauguration, Ferguson conferred with officials at the University of Texas regarding appointments affecting learning and higher education.[13] According to historian Dan Utley, Ferguson planned to use state appointments as part of a spoils system to reward his political supporters.He tapped Reverend Allan Ferguson Cunningham to serve as State Librarian, despite his lack of training or experience in the field.The chair of the State Library and Historical Commission, Eugene C. Barker, heard talk about these plans and intervened in support of Winkler.[14] Further reforms were realized during Ferguson's second term, including a law establishing Mothers' pensions[15] and additional labor legislation.Nationally, Ferguson was also surpassed by three other unsuccessful candidates: Though Ferguson was unsuccessful in the presidential election, the American Party did elect four members to the Texas House of Representatives; Walter J. Kveton of Sealy, Otto F. Menking of Fayetteville, Henry Julius Neinast of Burton, and John Henry Wessels of La Grange.[24] Ferguson failed at his bid for the United States Senate in 1922, losing in the Democratic runoff election to Earle Bradford Mayfield.In 1924, unable to run under his own name, Mr. Ferguson, known as "Pa", ran his wife's campaign for the governorship against Judge Felix Robertson, the candidate endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan.
Governor of TexasOscar Branch ColquittWilliam P. HobbyFirst Gentleman of TexasMiriam A. FergusonSalado, TexasAustin, TexasTexas State CemeteryDemocraticMiriam A. Wallaceimpeachedfirst gentlemanSaladoBell CountySalado CollegeAmerican Westvineyardbarbed wireBelton, Texaswhite supremacyelected as governor of TexasprohibitionistUniversity of Texasspoils systemErnest WinklerEugene C. BarkerDaughters of the Republic of TexasMothers' pensionsre-elected in 1916William Harding MayesTexas lieutenant governorBrownwood BulletinimpeachWilliam H. BledsoeLubbockTexas House of Representativesimpeachment trialTexas SenateKen Paxton1918 Democratic primaryHoustonlieutenant governorPresident of the United States1920 electionAmerican Partynational prohibition of alcoholEugene V. DebsWarren HardingRepublican Party1920 presidential electionJames M. Coxin TexasEugene Victor DebsSocialist Party of AmericaParley Parker ChristensenFarmer–Labor PartyAaron Sherman WatkinsUnited States Prohibition PartyFayettevilleBurtonLa Grange1922 electionUnited States Senaterunoff electionEarle Bradford MayfieldMiriamthe general electionKu Klux KlanNellie Tayloe RossWyomingConservative DemocratMinutaglio, BillWayback MachineThe Abilene Daily ReporterThe New York TimesCollege Station, TexasTexas A&M University PressCox, Patrick L.Luthin, Reinhard H.Governorslieutenant governorsJ. P. HendersonJ. W. HendersonRunnelsMurrahHamiltonThrockmortonHubbardRobertsIrelandCulbersonSayersLanhamCampbellColquittM. FergusonSterlingAllredO'DanielStevensonJesterShiversDanielConnallyBriscoeClementsRichardsAbbottHortonHendersonDicksonCrockettStockdaleJ. W. FlanaganW. FlanaganFountainPickettStoreyMartinWheelerPendletonBrowningA. B. DavidsonHobby Sr.JohnsonL. Davidson