Charles Croswell

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Charles Croswell

Charles Miller Croswell (born October 31, 1825 in Newburgh , New York , †  December 13, 1886 in Adrian , Michigan ) was an American politician and from 1877 to 1881 the 17th governor of the state of Michigan.

Early years and political advancement

Charles Croswell attended local schools in his home country. After the death of his parents, he was raised by his uncle in Adrian at the age of seven. There the young Charles completed an apprenticeship as a carpenter and studied law on the side.

In 1846, Croswell received his first public employment as an administrative clerk in Lenawee County . He was then a member of the Whigs . Between 1850 and 1854 he was the Register of Deeds in this district. During this time he was involved in the founding of the Republican Party . He then worked as a lawyer. In 1862, Croswell was elected mayor by Adrian. He also served in the Michigan Senate between 1862 and 1867 . In 1867 he chaired an assembly to revise the state constitution. From 1873 to 1874 he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and temporarily served as its president . In 1876 Charles Croswell was elected as his party's candidate for governor of his state. With 52.4 percent of the vote, he prevailed against the Democrat William L. Webber.

Michigan governor

Croswell took up his new office on January 3, 1877. After re-election in 1878, he was able to exercise it until January 1, 1881. During this time the national debt was reduced and electoral laws improved. At that time a new hospital for the mentally handicapped was built. Governor Croswell also faced a violent rail workers strike. During Croswell's tenure, the Capitol was completed in the capital, Lansing .

After the end of his governorship, Croswell withdrew from politics. He died in December 1886 and was buried in Adrian. He had five children with his first wife, Lucy M. Eddy, who died in 1868.

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personal data
SURNAME Croswell, Charles
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Croswell, Charles Miller (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH October 31, 1825
PLACE OF BIRTH Newburgh , New York
DATE OF DEATH December 13, 1886
Place of death Adrian , Michigan