Representative Harvey Butler Fergusson

Harvey Butler Fergusson served as a Representative from New Mexico in the United States Congress from 1897 to 1915. A member of the Democratic Party, Harvey Butler Fergusson contributed to the legislative process during 3 terms in office.

Harvey Butler Fergusson’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Harvey Butler Fergusson participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Harvey Butler Fergusson (September 9, 1848 – June 10, 1915) was a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico and a U.S. Representative from New Mexico. Born near Pickensville, Alabama, Fergusson attended the public schools in the state. He was graduated from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, in 1873 and from the law department of that university in 1874. He taught in the Shenandoah Valley Academy, Winchester, Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and commenced the practice of law in Wheeling, West Virginia. He moved to White Oaks, New Mexico, in 1882, and to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1883. There he engaged in the practice of law and served as special United States attorney in 1893 and 1894. He also served as member of the Democratic National Committee in 1896–1904. Fergusson, a Democrat, was elected as a Delegate to the Fifty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1898 to the Fifty-sixth Congress and for election in 1902 to the Fifty-eighth Congress. Upon the admission of New Mexico as a State into the Union, Fergusson was elected to the Sixty-second Congress. He was reelected to the Sixty-third Congress and served from January 8, 1912, to March 3, 1915. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress. He died in Albuquerque. His children Erna, Harvey and Francis were all noted writers.