Michigan Governor. Born in Newbury, New York, after becoming an orphan at the age of seven, he went to live his uncle in Adrian, Michigan, where he was a carpenter's apprentice and studied law. He was the deputy clerk of Lenawee County, in 1846, served as the register of deeds, (1850-54) and helped form the State Republican Party in 1854. He also served as a member of the Michigan State Senate, (1862-67), Mayor of Adrian in 1862, as chairman of the 1867 Michigan Constitutional Convention and was a member and speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, (1873-74). In 1876, he was elected the 17th Governor of Michigan, serving until 1881. During his tenure, election laws were improved, the Eastern Asylum for the Insane was established, as well as the State House of Correction at Ionia. Also, a railroad strike and riot was successfully dealt with, the public debt was reduced and construction on the state capitol building in Lansing was finished. After his second term in office, he retired from political life. He died at age 61 in Adrian, Michigan.
Michigan Governor. Born in Newbury, New York, after becoming an orphan at the age of seven, he went to live his uncle in Adrian, Michigan, where he was a carpenter's apprentice and studied law. He was the deputy clerk of Lenawee County, in 1846, served as the register of deeds, (1850-54) and helped form the State Republican Party in 1854. He also served as a member of the Michigan State Senate, (1862-67), Mayor of Adrian in 1862, as chairman of the 1867 Michigan Constitutional Convention and was a member and speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, (1873-74). In 1876, he was elected the 17th Governor of Michigan, serving until 1881. During his tenure, election laws were improved, the Eastern Asylum for the Insane was established, as well as the State House of Correction at Ionia. Also, a railroad strike and riot was successfully dealt with, the public debt was reduced and construction on the state capitol building in Lansing was finished. After his second term in office, he retired from political life. He died at age 61 in Adrian, Michigan.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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