Galusha A. Grow
Pennsylvania politician
Died when: 84 years 212 days (1015 months)Star Sign: Virgo
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Galusha Aaron Grow (August 31, 1823 – March 31, 1907) was an American politician, lawyer, writer and businessman, who served as 24th Speaker of the U.S.
House of Representatives from 1861 to 1863.Elected as a Democrat in the 1850 congressional elections, he switched to the newly organized Republican Party in the mid-1850s when the Democratic Party tried to force the extension of slavery into western territories.
Elected speaker for the 37th Congress, Grow presided over the House during the initial years of the American Civil War.
During his tenure Congress passed the landmark Homestead Act of 1862, which he supported.Grow was defeated for reelection in 1862.For over a century he remained the last incumbent House speaker to be defeated, until Speaker Tom Foley lost his seat in 1994.
After leaving office he continued to speak out on political issues, but did not serve in elective office.Then, 31 years after leaving office, Grow won an 1894 special election to succeed William Lilly.
It remains one of the longest known interregnums between terms of service for a House member.Over the course of his career, Grow represented the people of three Pennsylvania congressional districts: the 12th district (1851–1853), 14th district (1853–1863), and Pennsylvania's at-large congressional district (1894–1903).
