True Life Tuesday: William Webb Ferguson

I am not sure where I first heard about William Webb Ferguson but I am intrigued by his story. Like so many African Americans of his day his story is not as well known as it should be.

William Webb Ferguson was born on May 22, 1857. His father, Joseph, was the first black graduate of the Detroit Medical College. William was educated in Detroit schools. In 1889 he was a successful businessman when he was refused service in a restaurant because of the color of his skin. He sued the owner Edward Giess but lost in Wayne County Circuit Court. He appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court and won making it illegal to separate people in public places based upon race. This was the first racial discrimination case in the state's history.

In 1893 William ran for the House of Representatives and was elected making him the first black legislator in the state. He was then reelected in 1895. He passed away in 1910.

In 2015 the above portrait was commissioned. It was painted by Grand Rapids artist Joshua Risner. It was completed in 2018 and now hangs outside the Supreme Court room where he won his hostoric case.