Henry Grider facts for kids
Henry Grider (born July 16, 1796 – died September 7, 1866) was an important American politician from Kentucky. He served as a U.S. Representative, which means he was a lawmaker in the national government.
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Early Life and Education
Henry Grider was born in Garrard County, Kentucky. He went to school and studied law. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer. He started his law practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Military Service
During his early life, Henry Grider also served his country. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. This war was fought between the United States and Great Britain.
Political Career in Kentucky
After his military service, Henry Grider began his political career. He became a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. He served in this state-level lawmaking body in 1827 and again in 1831.
Later, he was elected to the Kentucky Senate. This is another important part of the state government. He served as a state senator from 1833 to 1837.
Serving in Congress
Henry Grider was elected to the United States House of Representatives several times. This meant he represented Kentucky in the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.
He was first elected as a member of the Whig Party. He served two terms from 1843 to 1847. Later, he was elected again as a Unionist. He served from 1861 until his death in 1866. He also served as a Democrat during his last term.
Important Work in Congress
As a U.S. Representative, Henry Grider worked on important issues. He was part of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. This committee helped create new laws after the American Civil War.
One of the most important things this committee did was write the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment is a very important part of the U.S. Constitution. It helped define who was a citizen and ensured equal protection under the law.
Grider also voted on the Thirteenth Amendment. This amendment officially ended slavery in the United States. His vote on this amendment was "nay," meaning he voted against it.
Later Life
Henry Grider continued to serve in Congress until he passed away. He died in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1866. He was buried in the Old College Street Cemetery.
See also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)
