Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Senator. He was engaged in the transporting merchandise to New Orleans, in 1812, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1817 and commenced to practice law in Bardstown, Kentucky. He was appointed Commonwealth Attorney in 1820, a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives, and a member of the Kentucky State Senate. In addition, he was a railroad builder, president of the Louisville Nashville Railroad Company, president of the Louisville-Portland Canal Company and founder-president of the University of Louisville. In 1853, he was appointed the 21st Secretary of the Treasury by President Franklin Pierce, serving until 1857. During the Civil War, he resisted federal pressure to nationalize the Louisville Nashville Railroad, but allowed the Union to use it to move troops and supplies. After the war, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, serving from 1865 to 1868. He died shortly after leaving the Senate from a stroke at age 76.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary, US Senator. He was engaged in the transporting merchandise to New Orleans, in 1812, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1817 and commenced to practice law in Bardstown, Kentucky. He was appointed Commonwealth Attorney in 1820, a member of the Kentucky State House of Representatives, and a member of the Kentucky State Senate. In addition, he was a railroad builder, president of the Louisville Nashville Railroad Company, president of the Louisville-Portland Canal Company and founder-president of the University of Louisville. In 1853, he was appointed the 21st Secretary of the Treasury by President Franklin Pierce, serving until 1857. During the Civil War, he resisted federal pressure to nationalize the Louisville Nashville Railroad, but allowed the Union to use it to move troops and supplies. After the war, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, serving from 1865 to 1868. He died shortly after leaving the Senate from a stroke at age 76.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
