Asahel Gridley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office 1850–1854 | |
| Preceded by | Edward O. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Jacob C. Davis |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office 1840–1842 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 21, 1810 Cazenovia, New York |
| Died | January 25, 1881 (aged 70) Bloomington, Illinois |
| Political party | Whig |
| Profession | Banker, lawyer, and merchant |
Asahel Gridley (April 21, 1810 – January 25, 1881) was an American politician, lawyer, merchant, and banker. Born in New York, Gridley moved to Bloomington, Illinois, when he was twenty-one. He served as a brigadier general in the Black Hawk War and was elected to three terms in the Illinois General Assembly. There, he lobbied to have the Illinois Central and Chicago and Alton Railroads pass near Bloomington. Abraham Lincoln once defended Gridley during a slander trial and was a frequent collaborator or opponent in the courts. Gridley is also the namesake of Gridley, Illinois, and platted two other McLean County towns.