Gerry, GEHR ee, Elbridge (1744-1814), served as vice president of the United States under President James Madison from 1813 until his death. Gerry had served as governor of Massachusetts from 1810 to 1812. While he was governor, his political opponents claimed his party created unfair voting districts. They invented the word gerrymander for the division of districts to help a political party keep power (see Gerrymander).