William J. Granfield Explained

William Joseph Granfield
Image Name:William J. Granfield (Massachusetts Congressman).jpg
State1:Massachusetts
District1:2nd
Term1:February 11, 1930 – January 3, 1937
Preceded1:Will Kirk Kaynor
Succeeded1:Charles R. Clason
Office2:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Term2:1917–1919
Birth Date:December 18, 1889
Birth Place:Springfield, Massachusetts
Death Place:Springfield, Massachusetts
Profession:Lawyer
Alma Mater:Notre Dame Law School
Party:Democratic

William Joseph Granfield (December 18, 1889 – May 28, 1959) was a United States representative from Massachusetts.

Granfield was born in Springfield on December 18, 1889. He attended elementary and high school in Springfield, and graduated from Williston Academy in 1910. In 1913 he received his law degree from the Notre Dame Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1916 and began to practice in Springfield.

He was a member of Springfield's common council in 1915 and 1916, and served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1917 to 1919. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention of 1918 and 1919, and a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions every four years from 1924 to 1940.

He was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William K. Kaynor. He was reelected to the Seventy-second, Seventy-third, and Seventy-fourth Congresses and served from February 11, 1930 to January 3, 1937.

Granfield was not a candidate for renomination in 1936. He was appointed presiding justice of the district court of Springfield in 1936, and served until his retirement July 27, 1949.

He died in Springfield on May 28, 1959. Interment was at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield.

See also