Bert M. Fernald

Bert Manfred Fernald (April 3, 1858 – August 23, 1926) was an American farmer, businessman, and Republican politician who became the 47th governor of Maine and a United States senator. He was chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds for three terms.

Early life, education, and career Born in West Poland, Maine, Fernald suffered debilitating injuries from an early age, enduring several operations and not beginning to walk until he was six years old. He attended the public schools, and then Hebron Academy until the age of seventeen, when his father died. and where his tenure was marked by his fine singing voice, and then from 1898 to 1902 in the Maine Senate. but was unsuccessful in his bid for the Republican nomination.

Senate career In 1916 he was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate by defeating Kenneth C.M. Sills, who was then Dean of Bowdoin College, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Edwin C. Burleigh.

Fernald died at his home in West Poland, Maine, following a ten-day illness, at the age of 68. The Fernald family farm is still in existence. Its white barn has the name Fernald Family Farm in black visible from the road.