John Biddle

Unknown Delegate of Michigan

Congresses Served

March 2, 1792 (67 years old)

Birthday

August 25, 1859

Death

Was an American military officer, politician, and businessman.
Served as a delegate to the United States Congress from the Michigan Territory.
Held the position of speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.
Served as mayor of Detroit.
Born into the prominent Pennsylvania Biddle family.
Graduated from Princeton College.
Enlisted in the U.S. Army at the outbreak of the War of 1812, eventually reaching the rank of major.
Worked as paymaster and Indian agent at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and as register of the land office in Detroit, Michigan Territory.
Was president of the convention that framed the State constitution for Michigan in 1835.
Ran unsuccessfully as the Whig candidate for the United States Senate and for Governor of Michigan.
Was a Trustee of the University of Michigan.
Became president of the Michigan Central Railroad and the first president of Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Bank.
Active in the civic life of Detroit, including roles in the Detroit Athenaeum and the Historical Society of Michigan.
Married Eliza Falconer Bradish and had four children.
Died in White Sulphur Springs, now West Virginia, and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.
Acquired land south of Detroit, where he built a summer estate named “Wyandotte.”
Sold the Wyandotte estate, which later developed into the city of Wyandotte, Michigan.
Spent his later years between Philadelphia and Paris.
His grandson became Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.