W. Mont Ferry
William Montague Ferry | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Grand Haven, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 1938 (aged 66) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman |
| Years active | Early 20th century |
| Known for | 17th mayor of Salt Lake City; Utah State Senator; president of American Silver Producers |
William Montague Ferry (March 12, 1871 – January 11, 1938) was a prominent American political figure who served as a Utah State Senator and was the 17th mayor of Salt Lake City.
Originating from Grand Haven, Michigan, Ferry was the offspring of Edward P. Ferry and Clara White. His namesake was his grandfather, a Presbyterian clergyman and missionary. Relocating to Utah, he invested in mining ventures across Utah and Nevada, eventually becoming president of the American Silver Producers. He maintained a close alliance with United States Senator Thomas Kearns.
Ferry held executive positions including director and vice-president at Utah Savings & Trust Co, as well as director roles at Walker Brothers Bank, Silver King Coalition Mines, and Mason Valley Mines located in Nevada.
In 1903, Ferry participated in an official challenge to the election of Mormon apostle Reed Smoot to the U.S. Senate. After Kearns’ unsuccessful bid for re-election due to Smoot’s sway, Ferry was instrumental in establishing the anti-Mormon American Party. He secured a seat on Salt Lake City’s city council in 1904 alongside Mayor Ezra Thompson and fellow American Party officials, significantly influencing municipal governance.
Following the disbandment of the American Party in 1911, Ferry was elected as a Republican member of the Utah State Senate, serving until 1915. Subsequently, he held the mayoralty of Salt Lake City for one term until 1919.
In 1896, Ferry married Edna Tremain, who later served as Utah’s delegate at the 1924 Republican National Convention. Upon his passing in Salt Lake City in 1938, Ferry’s estate was valued at $345,000 (equivalent to roughly $6.55 million in 2021), with management entrusted to Ednah.
References
- Ferry, William Montague (1871-1938), politicalgraveyard.com