Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Senator. Born in Maytown, Pennsylvania, he was considered by many to be one of America's first political bosses. He is known for the quote "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought." During the early 1880s, he was the Pennsylvania State printer, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, founded the Bank of Middletown in 1832 and was president of two railroad companies. He began his career in government under President James Buchanan by handling a land claim situation to help settle the claims of the Winnebago Indians in the Wisconsin Territory, in 1838. He was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Buchanan, serving (1845-49), then reelected as a Republican, serving (1857-61). With the advent of the Civil War in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Secretary of War and he served until 1862, when he was appointed US Minister to Russia. In 1867, he was again elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, serving until his resignation in 1877. Returning to his business pursuits, he traveled extensively in Europe and the West Indies. He died from a stroke at age 90 in Maytown, Pennsylvania.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Senator. Born in Maytown, Pennsylvania, he was considered by many to be one of America's first political bosses. He is known for the quote "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought." During the early 1880s, he was the Pennsylvania State printer, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, founded the Bank of Middletown in 1832 and was president of two railroad companies. He began his career in government under President James Buchanan by handling a land claim situation to help settle the claims of the Winnebago Indians in the Wisconsin Territory, in 1838. He was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Buchanan, serving (1845-49), then reelected as a Republican, serving (1857-61). With the advent of the Civil War in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Secretary of War and he served until 1862, when he was appointed US Minister to Russia. In 1867, he was again elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, serving until his resignation in 1877. Returning to his business pursuits, he traveled extensively in Europe and the West Indies. He died from a stroke at age 90 in Maytown, Pennsylvania.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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