17 Facts About Charles Croswell

Charles Miller Croswell was the 17th governor of Michigan from 1877 to 1881.

Charles Croswell's father, who was of Scots-Irish extraction, was a paper maker, and carried on business in New York City.

Some members of the Charles Croswell family were connected with notable events in New York and Connecticut, including Harry Charles Croswell, a pro-Federalist newspaper editor, convicted of libel against President Thomas Jefferson in a landmark case in New York.

When Charles Croswell was seven years old his mother and younger sister died of fever.

Charles Croswell was taken in to live with the family of his mother's brother, Daniel Hicks.

In 1837, when Charles Croswell was 12, the Hicks family moved to Adrian, Michigan.

In 1848, Charles Croswell ran on the Whig ticket for the position of County Clerk, but was defeated.

In 1862, Charles Croswell was appointed the City Attorney of Adrian, and in the same year was elected mayor.

Charles Croswell was re-elected from the 10th District in 1864 and from the 8th District in 1866.

In 1867, Charles Croswell was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention to revise the Michigan Constitution, and selected as the presiding officer.

Charles Croswell was re-nominated in 1878, and succeeded by a majority of 47,777 over his highest opponent.

Lucy Charles Croswell died of spinal apoplexy on March 19,1868, while her husband was at the state Republican convention in Detroit.

Charles Croswell left behind one son and two daughters: Charles Morton, Harriet, and Lucy Elizabeth.

In 1880, Charles Croswell married Elizabeth Musgrave, who was twenty-five years his junior.

Charles Croswell returned to Adrian in 1881 after two terms as governor.

Charles Croswell was active in retirement, serving as president of the Lenawee County Savings Bank.

Charles Croswell died on December 13,1886, at the age of 61.