Galusha A. Grow

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Galusha Aaron Grow (August 31, 1823 – March 31, 1907) was an American politician who served as the 24th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1861 to 1863. He was a prominent member of the Republican Party and a strong advocate for the Homestead Act of 1862.

Early Life and Education

Grow was born in Ashford, Connecticut, and later moved to Pennsylvania with his family. He attended Franklin Academy and graduated from Amherst College in 1844. After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1847 and began practicing in Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Political Career

Grow was elected as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district in 1850 as a member of the Free Soil Party. He later joined the Republican Party and was re-elected multiple times, serving from 1851 to 1863.

Speaker of the House

Grow was elected Speaker of the House on July 4, 1861, during the American Civil War. He was known for his support of the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee and five years of continuous residence.

Later Career

After leaving Congress in 1863, Grow returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in various business ventures. He made a political comeback in 1894, serving again in the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district until 1903.

Death and Legacy

Grow died on March 31, 1907, in Glenwood, Pennsylvania. He is remembered for his contributions to American politics, particularly his role in the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862.

Related Pages

• Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
• Homestead Act of 1862
• Republican Party (United States)
• American Civil War
• Amherst College

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