U.S. Presidential Cabinet Secretary. During the Civil War, he enlisted at fourteen as a Private in the Confederate Army, serving (1861-65). After the war, he graduated from the University of Nashville in 1871, studied law and was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1874. He served as president of the Tennessee Bar Association, (1889-93), was a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, (1891-93). He also was Assistant Attorney General of the United States, (1895-97) and From 1897 to 1899, a Professor of Law at the Vanderbilt University Law School and an attorney for the Louisville & Nashville Rail Railroad, (1897-99). Moving to Chicago, he was general solicitor counsel for the Illinois Central Railroad, (1899-1909) and was president of the American Bar Association. In 1909, President Taft appointed him to his cabinet as the U.S. Secretary of War, serving until 1911. During his tenure, he proposed legislation to permit the admission of foreign students to West Point and recommended an annuity retirement system for civil service employees. After his term, he served as a special assistant attorney general and acted in several important labor cases. He was president of the Izaak Walton League from 1927 until his death at age 77.
U.S. Presidential Cabinet Secretary. During the Civil War, he enlisted at fourteen as a Private in the Confederate Army, serving (1861-65). After the war, he graduated from the University of Nashville in 1871, studied law and was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1874. He served as president of the Tennessee Bar Association, (1889-93), was a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, (1891-93). He also was Assistant Attorney General of the United States, (1895-97) and From 1897 to 1899, a Professor of Law at the Vanderbilt University Law School and an attorney for the Louisville & Nashville Rail Railroad, (1897-99). Moving to Chicago, he was general solicitor counsel for the Illinois Central Railroad, (1899-1909) and was president of the American Bar Association. In 1909, President Taft appointed him to his cabinet as the U.S. Secretary of War, serving until 1911. During his tenure, he proposed legislation to permit the admission of foreign students to West Point and recommended an annuity retirement system for civil service employees. After his term, he served as a special assistant attorney general and acted in several important labor cases. He was president of the Izaak Walton League from 1927 until his death at age 77.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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