Joseph Grinnell | |
---|---|
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 10th district | |
In office December 7, 1843 – March 3, 1851 | |
Preceded by | Barker Burnell |
Succeeded by | Zeno Scudder |
Personal details | |
Born | New Bedford, Massachusetts, US | November 17, 1788
Died | February 7, 1885 New Bedford, Massachusetts, US | (aged 96)
Political party | Whig |
Spouse |
Sarah Russell (died 1865) |
Relations |
Moses H. Grinnell (brother) Henry Grinnell (brother) |
Occupation | Merchant, banker, railroad executive |
Joseph Grinnell (November 17, 1788 – February 7, 1885) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and friend of Abraham Lincoln, and the brother of Moses Hicks Grinnell. [1]
Grinnell was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on November 17, 1788. He was the son of Cornelius Grinnell (1758–1850) and Sylvia ( née Howland) Grinnell (1765–1837). His siblings included Henry Grinnell and Moses Hicks Grinnell. [2]
After completing preparatory studies he moved to New York City in 1809, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. [1]
In 1815, he aided in establishing the firm of Fish and Grinnell, which later became Grinnell, Minturn & Co. [3] His two younger brothers, Moses and Henry Grinnell, became members of the firm in 1825. [4] When Joseph retired in 1828, his place was taken by Robert B. Minturn. [5] [6]
He served as president of the First National Bank of New Bedford in 1832, president of the New Bedford & Taunton Railroad in 1839, and a member of the Governor's council from 1839-1841. [1] [7]
In 1840, he became a director of the Boston & Providence Railroad, the following year its president, resigning that position in 1846, but remaining a director until 1863. He also served as president of the Wamsutta Mills from 1847 until 1885. [1]
Grinnell was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Barker Burnell. He was reelected to the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Congresses and served from December 7, 1843, to March 3, 1851. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1850. [1] After serving in Congress, he resumed his former business activities. [1]
Grinnell was married to Sarah Russell (1788–1862), the daughter of Abraham and Sarah (née Schumacher) Russell. Joseph lived in New Bedford for fifty-six years, often traveling to Europe. [5]
His niece and adopted daughter Cornelia Grinnell married the poet N.P. Willis. [5]
He died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, February 7, 1885 and was interred in Oak Grove Cemetery. [1]