Jefferson in Ashtabula County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Joshua R. Giddings Law Office
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
1. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker
This building served as the law office to Joshua Reed Giddings, a Whig congressman who advocated for the abolition of slavery and an end to the domestic slave trade. Born in 1795, much of Giddings' young life was occupied by working on his father's farm. After serving in the War of 1812, he began to study law, gaining admittance to the bar in 1821. A successful lawyer, Giddings was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1826. In 1837, he was elected as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he quickly established himself as a staunch opponent of slavery. In 1854, he joined the Republican Party, contributing greatly to the platform during the party's conventions of 1856 and 1860. As reward for his dedication, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him as consul- general to Canada, where he served until his death in 1864.
An excerpt from Congressman Joshua R. Giddings' farewell speech to the House of Representatives in 1859: "[...] And I beg to assure you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, that whether in public or in private life, in prosperity or in adversity, whether living or dying, my heart's desire and prayer to God shall be that every human soul may enjoy that liberty which is necessary to protect and cherish life, attain knowledge, and prepare for heaven. And when I shall have passed away, let my
this page online
Erected 2016 by Ashtabula County Historical Society, The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 13-4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1795.
Location. 41° 44.291′ N, 80° 45.786′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Ohio, in Ashtabula County. It is on East Jefferson Avenue 0.1 miles east of Market Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jefferson OH 44047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore and in the Western Reserve. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joshua Reed Giddings (a few steps from this marker); The McKinley Elm (within shouting distance of this marker); Ashtabula County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jefferson Village & Township World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ashtabula County Korea War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Owen Brown, Son of John Brown (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bicentennial of the United States of America
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
2. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker Reverse
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
3. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
4. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker Reverse
Photographed by Matthew Brady's studio, circa 1864
5. Joshua R. Giddings
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
6. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office National Historic Landmark Marker
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 18, 2018
7. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker
Marker is severely cracked through center
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 12, 2025
8. Joshua R. Giddings Law Office Marker
Marker has been replaced.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 680 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on September 17, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 18, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 8. submitted on April 15, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the newly (2023) repaired marker. • Can you help?
