U.S. Congressman. Civil War Army Officer. Born in County Clare, Ireland, Michael Griffin immigrated as a young boy first to Canada, and then to the United States, settling in Newport, Sauk County, Wisconsin. His formal education was completed in the rural schools. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Griffin enlisted as a Private in Company E, 12th Wisconsin Infantry on September 11, 1861. His abilities as a leader were soon recognized, and he was steadily promoted in rank, eventually rising to First Lieutenant. He was wounded at the Battle of Bald Hill in 1864, but remained on active duty until being mustered out at the end of the war in 1865. Following his military service Griffin continued his education by reading the law in the office of Judge Jonathan Bowman. Griffin was admitted to the Bar in 1868, and opened a private law practice in Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells) Wisconsin. Griffin was elected to various offices including Town Clerk and County Board of Supervisors. In 1876 he was elected to the State Assembly. Moving to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Griffin accepted the position of City Attorney in 1878. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and served in 1880 and 1881. An active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Griffin was honored by his fellow veterans by being chosen as the Commander of the Department of Wisconsin in 1887, and as the Quartermaster General of Wisconsin in 1889. In 1894 Griffin was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from November 5, 1894 until March 3, 1899. He was not a candidate for reelection, preferring to return to Wisconsin and serve in the Governor’s Cabinet as the Chairman of the State Tax Commission. Griffin died shortly after accepting this position.