US Congressman. In his youth he became interested in politics while serving as a page in the US House of Representatives. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in McLeansboro, Illinois in 1862. From 1863 to 1868, he was clerk of the circuit court of Hamilton County and prosecuting attorney for the twelfth judicial circuit of Illinois, 1868 to 1872. He was a member of the Democratic State central committee in 1864, 1865, 1874, and 1875 and delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1872. In 1877, he was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses, serving until his death while in office.
US Congressman. In his youth he became interested in politics while serving as a page in the US House of Representatives. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in McLeansboro, Illinois in 1862. From 1863 to 1868, he was clerk of the circuit court of Hamilton County and prosecuting attorney for the twelfth judicial circuit of Illinois, 1868 to 1872. He was a member of the Democratic State central committee in 1864, 1865, 1874, and 1875 and delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1872. In 1877, he was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses, serving until his death while in office.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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