Fergusson, H. B. (Harvey Butler), 1848-1915

Harvey Butler Fergusson was born in Alabama on September 9, 1848. He was admitted to the bar in 1875. In 1882 he came to New Mexico. Fergusson, a leader in the New Mexico Democratic Party, served in the 55th, 62nd and 63rd U.S. Congresses. In 1898, during his first term, he pushed through the Fergusson Act, which gave millions of acres of the public domain to New Mexico for funding public schools, thus providing the foundation of a public school system in the territory. Fergusson was a delegate to the New Mexico constitutional convention.

Harvey Butler Fergusson was born in Alabama on September 9, 1848. In 1874 he graduated from Washington and Lee University. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and practiced for a time in West Virginia. Fergusson came to New Mexico in 1882 to represent the Winter heirs in the North Homestake Mining Company litigation at White Oaks. The following year he moved to Albuquerque. Fergusson and his wife, Clara Huning, had three children, Harvey, Erna, and Lina. Harvey and Erna became well-known authors.

Fergusson, a leader in the New Mexico Democratic Party, served in the 55th, 62nd and 63rd U. S. Congresses. In 1898, during his first term, he pushed through the Fergusson Act, which gave millions of acres of the public domain to New Mexico. The revenues were used for funding public schools, thus providing the foundation of a public school system in the territory. Later, Congress passed the Enabling Act of 1910, which provided for the calling of a constitutional convention in New Mexico. Fergusson was a delegate to this constitutional convention. The constitution was drafted the next year and ratified by voters. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico formally became a state.