Joseph R. Grundy
Encyclopedia
Joseph Ridgway Grundy was an American
textile manufacturer and Republican Party
politician from Bristol, Pennsylvania
. He represented Pennsylvania
in the United States Senate
.
He was educated at Swarthmore College
. Grundy had a summer home on the Neshaminy Creek
called Walnut Grove and one in the city of Bristol across from what used to be a summer resort island called Burlington Island
Amusement Park
until 1928 after several fires had ravaged the park. There is a memorial library named after his only sister, Margaret Ridgway Grundy in Bristol to this day. When he died in the Bahamas, he left no heirs.
He was appointed on December 11, 1929, by Governor John Stuchell Fisher
to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the refusal of the Senate to seat William S. Vare
. He served from December 11, 1929, to December 1, 1930, when a duly elected successor, James J. Davis
, qualified.
The home of Senator Grundy, as stated in his will, was left to be preserved as a museum in her and their family's honor and is open to the public for touring free of charge. The Victorian
home includes a complete collection of the Grundy family's original possessions from both their Walnut Grove home and Bristol home as well as exquisite wood detailing throughout which you see on the tour. You can find more information about the Grundy Museum http://www.grundyfoundation.com/ at their website.
Also of note, in 1961 he became the oldest living former senator, and was the last living senator who was alive during the Civil War.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
textile manufacturer and Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia opposite Burlington, N.J. on the Delaware River. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in...
. He represented Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
He was educated at Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
. Grundy had a summer home on the Neshaminy Creek
Neshaminy Creek
Neshaminy Creek is a stream that runs southeast through Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Neshaminy Creek proper rises south of the borough of Chalfont, where North Branch Neshaminy Creek and West Branch Neshaminy Creek meet. Neshaminy Creek flows lastly between Bristol Township and Bensalem Township...
called Walnut Grove and one in the city of Bristol across from what used to be a summer resort island called Burlington Island
Burlington Island
Burlington Island is a island located in the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the United States. Burlington Island is officially part of the city of Burlington, New Jersey. It is an uninhabited scenic landmark in the Delaware River...
Amusement Park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
until 1928 after several fires had ravaged the park. There is a memorial library named after his only sister, Margaret Ridgway Grundy in Bristol to this day. When he died in the Bahamas, he left no heirs.
He was appointed on December 11, 1929, by Governor John Stuchell Fisher
John Stuchell Fisher
John Stuchell Fisher was Pennsylvania's 29th Governor, a Republican.Fisher was born in South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania, in 1867...
to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the refusal of the Senate to seat William S. Vare
William S. Vare
William Scott Vare was an American construction contractor and Republican Party politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in the U.S House and won a contested election to the United States Senate.-Youth:Bill Vare was the youngest of three Vare brothers who were all...
. He served from December 11, 1929, to December 1, 1930, when a duly elected successor, James J. Davis
James J. Davis
James John Davis was an American steel worker and Republican Party politician in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served as U.S. Secretary of Labor and represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate...
, qualified.
The home of Senator Grundy, as stated in his will, was left to be preserved as a museum in her and their family's honor and is open to the public for touring free of charge. The Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
home includes a complete collection of the Grundy family's original possessions from both their Walnut Grove home and Bristol home as well as exquisite wood detailing throughout which you see on the tour. You can find more information about the Grundy Museum http://www.grundyfoundation.com/ at their website.
Also of note, in 1961 he became the oldest living former senator, and was the last living senator who was alive during the Civil War.