Joseph GRINNELL, Congress, MA (1788-1885)

GRINNELL Joseph , a Representative from Massachusetts; born in New Bedford, Mass., November 17, 1788; completed preparatory studies; moved to New York City in 1809; engaged in mercantile pursuits; traveled in Europe, and returned to New Bedford; president of the First National Bank of New Bedford in 1832; president of the New Bedford & Taunton Railroad in 1839; member of the Governor's council 1839-1841; 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; president of the Wamsutta Cotton Mills in 1847; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Barker Burnell; reelected to the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Congresses and served from December 7, 1843, to March 3, 1851; declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1850; resumed his former business activities; died in New Bedford, Mass., February 7, 1885; interment in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present