His wife, Miriam Amanda Wallace—better known as "Ma" Ferguson—was born in Bell County, Texas, on June 13, 1875 The couple married in 19 and had two children Ouida and Dorris Although he had never previously held office, James ran for Governor of Texas in 1914 as the antiprohibition candidate He won in 1914 and was reelected in 191602/02/18 · In 1927 Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, Democratic candidate, was elected the first woman Governor of Texas Her husband, James Ferguson, served as Governor from 1915 to 1917 but during his second term he was impeached, convicted and removed from office toJun 19, Miriam Amanda Wallace "Ma" Ferguson () was the first female Governor of Texas Margie Neal First Woman Elected To The Texas Senate Out Of The Stacks Ma ferguson impact on texas