Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.

115

JUDGE GEORGE THOMPSON GRIDLEY.
Judge George Thompson Gridley died at his residence in Jackson,
November 28, 1889. He had been in unusually good health, a fact
which he had frequently spoken of. He arose at the usual hour and
after breakfast went to his office where he was engaged in the preparation of the case of Kate Fuller against the city of Jackson for the
Supreme Court. He attended the thanksgiving services at the First
Baptist church during the forenoon and upon returning to his office
spoke very highly to C. E. Snow of the discourse. About one o'clock
he went home and partook of a hearty dinner. After spending a few
moments in conversation with his family he complained of feeling weary
and went into an adjoining room to lie down. A few moments later his
daughter, Mrs. Knight, looked into the room and noticing an unusual look
upon his face went to his bedside and at once discovered that he was
dead.
It was stated that on Friday before, the Judge had some premonitory symptoms of apoplexy but nothing was thought of it at the
time.
Judge G. T. Gridley was born in Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y.,
July 1, 1816, his father being Norman Gridley, of that county. He
was educated at the Clinton grammar school and pursued classical
studies at local academies. After clerking for a short time, at the
age of seventeen he entered the law office of Timothy Jenkins, at
Oneida, where he remained two years, teaching school during the win-,
ter. In 1834, he entered the law office of his uncle, Hon. Philo
Gridley, an eminent lawyer of Hamilton county, N. Y., where he
remained three years. In 1837 he came to Michigan, locating at
Ypsilanti, where he formed a law partnership with Grove Spencer.
During late years the judge has been very fond of relating incidents
in connection with his early practice in Michigan and could, and
frequently did entertain his hearers for hours at a time with interesting anecdotes.
In 1849 Judge Gridley removed to Jackson, and in the following
year was elected county judge, to succeed Judge Moody, but the new
State constitution of 1850 abolished this office and he returned to his
practice. He was for a number of years, during the existence of the
court of chancery, injunction master, a position which he filled with
marked success. In fact it is said of him that there was no better
chancery lawyer in the State. He took particular interest in this
branch of his profession and often spoke of the fact that the Supreme
Court seldom reversed a decision made by him in chancery matters.