James Gilfillan
Encyclopedia
James Gilfillan was the 13th Treasurer of the United States
.
Gilfillan was a native of Belchertown, Massachusetts
, born there to Scottish
parents. In 1856 he graduated from Williams College
, where he was a classmate of future President James Garfield
.
After graduation, he worked as a country editor of a weekly newspaper, reading law
with the goal of entering the bar at the same time. He abandoned both professions, instead taking a clerkship at the Treasury Department
in 1861, at an annual salary of $
1,200. He remained a clerk until President Ulysses S. Grant
made him cashier of the United States under Treasurer John C. New
.
Gilfillan, rising steadily through the ranks, was appointed Treasurer by President Rutherford B. Hayes
, and he served from July 1, 1877 to March 31, 1883. During this period he was also Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia; he was not paid for his service on the board until a bill of Senator George P. McLean
of Connecticut passed Congress, awarding him $4,750.
As Treasurer, Gilfillan acquired a reputation for integrity in his dealings, launching anti-corruption investigations, avoiding politics, and attending to his business.
In his later years, Gilfillan lived in Colchester, Connecticut
. In November 1928, he was one of only five persons over the age of 90 to vote in the town. He died at his home there, aged 93, and his funeral took place two days later. He was survived by four daughters.
Treasurer of the United States
The Treasurer of the United States is an official in the United States Department of the Treasury that was originally charged with the receipt and custody of government funds, though many of these functions have been taken over by different bureaus of the Department of the Treasury...
.
Gilfillan was a native of Belchertown, Massachusetts
Belchertown, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 4,886 households, and 3,517 families residing in the town. The population density was 245.9 people per square mile . There were 5,050 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile...
, born there to Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
parents. In 1856 he graduated from Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
, where he was a classmate of future President James Garfield
James Garfield
James Abram Garfield served as the 20th President of the United States, after completing nine consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Garfield's accomplishments as President included a controversial resurgence of Presidential authority above Senatorial courtesy in executive...
.
After graduation, he worked as a country editor of a weekly newspaper, reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
with the goal of entering the bar at the same time. He abandoned both professions, instead taking a clerkship at the Treasury Department
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
in 1861, at an annual salary of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1,200. He remained a clerk until President Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
made him cashier of the United States under Treasurer John C. New
John C. New
John Chalfant New was a United States banker and lawyer who held a variety of government positions, including Treasurer of the United States from 1875 to 1876.-Biography:...
.
Gilfillan, rising steadily through the ranks, was appointed Treasurer by President Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
, and he served from July 1, 1877 to March 31, 1883. During this period he was also Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia; he was not paid for his service on the board until a bill of Senator George P. McLean
George P. McLean
George Payne McLean was a United States Senator from Connecticut. Born in Simsbury, he attended the common schools and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and commenced practice in Hartford. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1883 and 1884, and a member of...
of Connecticut passed Congress, awarding him $4,750.
As Treasurer, Gilfillan acquired a reputation for integrity in his dealings, launching anti-corruption investigations, avoiding politics, and attending to his business.
In his later years, Gilfillan lived in Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,551 at the 2000 census. In 2005 it was ranked 57th on the "100 Best Places to Live" in all of the United States, conducted by CNN...
. In November 1928, he was one of only five persons over the age of 90 to vote in the town. He died at his home there, aged 93, and his funeral took place two days later. He was survived by four daughters.