John Ashley Griswold


John Ashley Griswold was an attorney, judge and politician from Catskill, New York. He was most notable for his service as a U.S. Representative from 1869 to 1871.

Early life

Griswold was born in Cairo, New York on November 18, 1822, the son of Stephen H. and Phoebe Griswold. Griswold attended the common schools, and the academies in Prattsville and Catskill, New York. He taught school and then studied law with his uncle, Addison C. Griswold, and Richard Corning, a brother of Erastus Corning. Griswold was admitted to the bar in 1848, after which he commenced practice in Greene County.

Career

A Democrat in politics, Griswold served as district attorney of Greene County from 1856 to 1859, and as county judge from 1863 to 1867.
Griswold was elected as to the Forty-first Congress. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1870 and resumed the practice of law. Griswold was elected Town Supervisor of Catskill in 1871, and served one term. He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1894.

Death and burial

He died in Catskill on February 22, 1902. He was interred in Catskill Village Cemetery.

Family

In 1857, Griswold married Elizabeth M. Roberts of Clintondale, New York. She died in 1896.

Books

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