William L. Greenly

William Lawrence Greenly was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan; he served as the sixth governor of Michigan.

Early life in New York

Greenly was born in Hamilton, New York. He graduated from Union College of Schenectady, New York in 1831, then studied law with Stower & Gridley in Hamilton and was admitted to the bar at Albany, New York in 1834.

Greenly moved to Adrian, Michigan in October 1836. He served as a member of the Michigan State Senate from the 2nd district from 1839 to 1840, and from the 3rd district from 1842 to 1843.
Greenly served as the fifth lieutenant governor of Michigan from 1846 to 1847 and became governor on March 4, 1847, after the resignation of Alpheus Felch to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. He completed Felch's term through January 3, 1848. Greenly served through much of the Mexican–American War, where troops from Michigan were sent such as Company K, 3d Dragoons, as well as A, E, and G of the U. S. Infantry.

After his brief time as governor, Greenly served as justice of the peace for 12 years. He was elected mayor of Adrian, Michigan in 1858, serving only one year. Greenly died on November 29, 1883 in Adrian at the age of 70. He is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Adrian.

Governor Greenly was married three times. He married Sarah A. Dascomb in Hamilton, New York in December 1834. Following her death, he married Elizabeth W. Hubbard in Northampton, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1840. He and Elizabeth had one son, Marshal. Following Elizabeth's death, he married Maria Hart in Adrian, Michigan, on October 25, 1859