Stanley Griswold

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Stanley Griswold (November 14, 1763 - August 21, 1815) was a Democratic-Republican politician from Ohio. He served in the U.S. Senate.

Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Griswold served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. After graduating from Yale College in 1786, he worked as a newspaper editor and pastor. Griswold served as the first territorial secretary of Michigan Territory from 1805-1808. [1] In 1806, while serving as acting governor in the absence of Governor William Hull, Griswold ordered the erection of Fort Croghan, also known as Fort Nonsense, to protect livestock from raids by Native Americans.[2][3][4] Griswold Street in Detroit is named in his honor.[5] His tenure ended largely due to disagreements with the Governor, who accused Griswold of causing dissension between the Governor and the militia.[6] In January 1808, Griswold lost a trial, which has been characterized as a farce, and was obliged to pay a penalty of $1,000.[7] He left office on March 18, 1808, and moved to Ohio. He was appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Edward Tiffin, serving from May 18, 1809 until a special election was held to choose a successor on December 11, 1809. Griswold then moved to the Illinois Territory, where he was appointed as a federal judge, serving on the bench and as a lawyer until his death.

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Farmer, p. 88
  2. ^ Farmer, p. 226
  3. ^ Burton, City, p. 862
  4. ^ Catlin pp. 150-151
  5. ^ Burton, City, p. 1450
  6. ^ Burton, Compendium, pp. 51-52
  7. ^ Farmer, p. 316
Political offices
New title Secretary of Michigan Territory
1805-03-011808-03-18
Succeeded by
Reuben Atwater
United States Senate
Preceded by
Edward Tiffin
United States Senator (Class 3) from Ohio
1809-05-181809-12-11
Served alongside: Return J. Meigs, Jr.
Succeeded by
Alexander Campbell