Granger, Francis

Granger, Francis,

1792–1868, American political leader, b. Suffield, Conn. He practiced law in Canandaigua, N.Y., and served (1826–28, 1830–32) in the New York state legislature. A prominent leader of the Anti-Masonic partyAnti-Masonic party,
American political organization that rose after the disappearance in W New York state in 1826 of William Morgan. A former Mason, Morgan had written a book purporting to reveal Masonic secrets.
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, he was twice (1830, 1832) defeated for governor as its nominee. He was elected as a Whig to Congress in 1834. Appointed postmaster general by President William Henry HarrisonHarrison, William Henry,
1773–1841, 9th President of the United States (Mar. 4–Apr. 4, 1841), b. "Berkeley," Charles City co., Va.; son of Benjamin Harrison (1726?–1791) and grandfather of Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901).
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, Granger resigned (1841) with other cabinet members at Harrison's death. After another term (1841–43) in Congress, he became a leader of the conservative Whigs who opposed their party's drift toward radical antislavery views. He favored the Compromise of 1850, and with a small following withdrew (1850) from the Whig convention at Syracuse when resolutions were adopted endorsing William H. SewardSeward, William Henry,
1801–72, American statesman, b. Florida, Orange co., N.Y. Early Career

A graduate (1820) of Union College, he was admitted to the bar in 1822 and established himself as a lawyer in Auburn, N.Y., which he made his lifelong home.
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's opposition to the compromise measures.