Michael Griffin (politician)

Michael Griffin (September 9, 1842 – December 29, 1899) was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.

Early life
Born in County Clare, Ireland, Griffin immigrated with his parents, John and Hannah Griffin, to Canada in 1847 and to Ohio in 1851. He moved to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled in Newport, Sauk County. He attended the common schools of Ohio and Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Union Army September 11, 1861, as a private in Company E, Twelfth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He moved to Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, in 1865. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868 commencing practice in Kilbourn City. He married Emma Irene Daniels on September 6, 1871. He was cashier of the Bank of Kilbourn from 1871 until 1876.

Political career
He served as member of the County Board of Columbia County, Wisconsin, in 1874 and 1875. He served as member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1876. He moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1876, and City attorney of Eau Claire in 1878 and 1879. He served in the Wisconsin State Senate in 1880 and 1881. He was the Department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1887 and 1888. Griffin was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George B. Shaw. He was reelected to the following two congresses as well serving from November 5, 1894, to March 3, 1899. During his terms in office he represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1898. He was appointed chairman of the State tax commission by Governor Schofield May 28, 1899.

Later life
He died of a stroke in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on December 29, 1899. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery.