Joseph Grinnell (politician)

Joseph Grinnell

Joseph Grinnell (born November 17, 1788 in New Bedford , Massachusetts , † February 7, 1885 there ) was an American politician . Between 1843 and 1851 he represented the state of Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives .

Career

Joseph Grinnell was the older brother of Congressman Moses Hicks Grinnell (1803–1877) from New York State . He attended the public schools in his home country. In 1809 he came to New York City where he worked in commerce. There he founded the company Grinnell, Minturn & Co. in 1815 , which his brothers Moses and Henry joined in 1825. He later returned to New Bedford. In 1832 he became President of the First National Bank of New Bedford and in 1839 he also became President of the New Bedford & Taunton Railroad Co. Until 1863 he held leading positions at the Boston and Providence Railroad , of which he was temporarily also President. In 1847 he also became head of the Wamsutta Cotton Mills .

Politically, Grinnell joined the Whig Party . From 1839 to 1841 he was a member of the governor's advisory staff . After the death of MP Barker Burnell , Grinnell was elected as his successor to the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC , where he took up his new mandate on December 7, 1843. After three re-elections, he could remain in Congress until March 3, 1851 . During this time the Mexican-American War and the compromise of 1850 , which were supposed to defuse the discussions about the question of slavery , but had the opposite effect.

In 1850, Joseph Grinnell renounced another candidacy. After his tenure in the US House of Representatives, he continued his previous activities. He died on February 7, 1885 in New Bedford.

Web links

• Joseph Grinnell in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• Joseph Grinnell in the database of Find a Grave (English)