Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Born in Sherman, Fairfield County, Connecticut Marsh Giddings moved to Michigan as a young man. He attended Western Reserve College in Ohio, but did not complete his studies. At the age of 21 he was elected as a Justice of the Peace for Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and later was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1849. Giddings also served as a Probate Judge from 1860-1868. In 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant nominated Giddings to the diplomatic post of Consul-General of the United States in Calcutta, India. The offer was declined, and the President then offered him the post of Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Giddings assumed his duties in August 1871, although he was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate until later in the year. Giddings inherited a territory rife with civil unrest. During his tenure he was forced to deal with riots and the beginning of the Lincoln County War, for which he lacked the authority and resources to combat. He died in office on June 3, 1875 and his body was taken back to Michigan for burial.
Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Born in Sherman, Fairfield County, Connecticut Marsh Giddings moved to Michigan as a young man. He attended Western Reserve College in Ohio, but did not complete his studies. At the age of 21 he was elected as a Justice of the Peace for Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan and later was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1849. Giddings also served as a Probate Judge from 1860-1868. In 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant nominated Giddings to the diplomatic post of Consul-General of the United States in Calcutta, India. The offer was declined, and the President then offered him the post of Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Giddings assumed his duties in August 1871, although he was not confirmed by the U.S. Senate until later in the year. Giddings inherited a territory rife with civil unrest. During his tenure he was forced to deal with riots and the beginning of the Lincoln County War, for which he lacked the authority and resources to combat. He died in office on June 3, 1875 and his body was taken back to Michigan for burial.
Bio by: Ernest
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