History of Eau Claire, (Eau Claire County) Wisconsin United States of America

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Michael Griffin, representative, was born in Ireland, Sept. 9, 1842. He removed with his parents to Canada in 1847, to Ohio in 1851, and to Wisconsin in 1856. He acquired his education in the common schools of Ohio and Wisconsin. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Union army and was promoted successively to the grades of 2d and 1st lieutenant, serving at the siege of Vicksburg, in the Meridian campaign and in the Atlanta campaign, and on the march to the sea and north through the Carolinas with Sherman. He was wounded at Atlanta, July 21, 1864, and was mustered out. July 16, 1865. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 and practised in Kilbourn City, Wis., until 1876, when he removed to Eau Claire. He was a member of the Wisconsin assembly in 1876; city attorney of Eau Claire, 1878-80; state senator in 1880 and 1881; department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, 1887-88; and quartermaster-general of the state with the rank of brigadier-general in 1889 and 1890. In 1894 he was elected to the 53d congress as a Republican, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George B. Shaw, and at the same time was elected to the 54th congress. He was re-elected to the 55th congress. He served as chairman of the Republican state conventions of 1890, 1896, and 1898. On June 1, 1899, he was appointed state commissioner of taxation for ten years. He died at Eau Claire, Wis., Dec. 29, 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Eau Claire, (Eau Claire County) Wisconsin

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