Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Dumfries, Virginia, he graduated from Columbia University and began a career practicing law in the early 1790s. After serving as a Captain in the US Cavalry during the War of 1812, he left the Army in 1814, to take an assignment in the War Department, where he worked as chief clerk by appointment of then Secretary of War James Monroe. In 1816, he ascended to the post of Secretary of War, serving on an interim basis until newly elected President James Monroe looked for a more permanent candidate. He then was appointed special agent to the War Department in 1818. He later was president of the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States (1819-23) and commissioner of the U.S. Land Office, (1823-30). He died at age 60 in Washington, D.C.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Dumfries, Virginia, he graduated from Columbia University and began a career practicing law in the early 1790s. After serving as a Captain in the US Cavalry during the War of 1812, he left the Army in 1814, to take an assignment in the War Department, where he worked as chief clerk by appointment of then Secretary of War James Monroe. In 1816, he ascended to the post of Secretary of War, serving on an interim basis until newly elected President James Monroe looked for a more permanent candidate. He then was appointed special agent to the War Department in 1818. He later was president of the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States (1819-23) and commissioner of the U.S. Land Office, (1823-30). He died at age 60 in Washington, D.C.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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