Births on August 31

James E. Ferguson

Born on August 31, 1871

James E. Ferguson, American banker and politician, 26th Governor of Texas (d. 1944)

James Edward Ferguson Jr. (August 31, 1871 – September 21, 1944), known as Pa Ferguson, was an American Democratic politician and the 26th Governor of Texas, in office from 1915 to 1917. He was indicted and impeached during his second term, forced to resign and barred from holding further Texas office.Unable to run under his own name, Ferguson ran his wife's campaign for Governor; Miriam A. Ferguson, known as "Ma" Ferguson, was twice elected as governor, serving two non-consecutive terms, from 1925 to 1927 and 1933 to 1935."

In 1925, Miriam became the first female governor of Texas after campaigning as a stand-in for her husband,

and technically James E. Ferguson became the first gentleman of Texas for her two terms.

References

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Events on 1871

28 Jan

Siege of Paris (1870-71)
Franco-Prussian War: The Siege of Paris ends in French defeat and an armistice.
17 Feb

Siege of Paris (1870-71)
The victorious Prussian Army parades through Paris, France, after the end of the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.
21 May

Bloody Week
French troops invade the Paris Commune and engage its residents in street fighting. By the close of "Bloody Week", some 20,000 communards have been killed and 38,000 arrested.
28 Sep

Slavery in Brazil
The Brazilian Parliament passes the Law of the Free Womb, granting freedom to all new children born to slaves, the first major step in the eradication of slavery in Brazil.
8 Oct

Great Chicago Fire
Four major fires break out on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Peshtigo, Wisconsin, Holland, Michigan, and Manistee, Michigan including the Great Chicago Fire, and the much deadlier Peshtigo Fire.

Births on August 31

James E. Ferguson

Born on August 31, 1871

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1871

Siege of Paris (1870-71)

Siege of Paris (1870-71)

Bloody Week

Slavery in Brazil

Great Chicago Fire