James L. Wilmeth
Encyclopedia
James L. Wilmeth was an official in the United States Department of the Treasury
who was Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
from 1917 to 1922.
and Arkansas
. He attended college in Arkansas and then spent several years working as a teacher
.
In 1895, Wilmeth joined the United States Department of the Treasury
in Washington, D.C.
While working at the Treasury, he earned an LL.B. from the National University School of Law. After earning this degree, he worked as a law clerk in the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury
. He became Chief Clerk of the Treasury in 1910. He later worked for the Treasury in Europe
as Custodian of Gold.
In 1917, Wilmeth became Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
. He was also mayor
of Takoma Park, Maryland
from 1920 to 1923. In 1922, in a surprise move, President of the United States
Warren G. Harding
issued an executive order
dismissing Wilmeth and 28 other top officials in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They were suspected of improper duplication of bonds. Wilmeth was later completely exonerated of all charges, and in 1924, he was offered the opportunity to return to the post of Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing but Wilmeth refused.
After leaving government service, Wilmeth worked in an insurance
firm.
Wilmeth retired to Philadelphia, where he died in 1959.
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...
who was Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the head of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing within the United States Department of the Treasury. The current Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is Larry R. Felix....
from 1917 to 1922.
Biography
James L. Wilmeth was born in Chewallah, Tennessee in 1870 and raised in TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. He attended college in Arkansas and then spent several years working as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
.
In 1895, Wilmeth joined the United States Department of the Treasury
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 Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
While working at the Treasury, he earned an LL.B. from the National University School of Law. After earning this degree, he worked as a law clerk in the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury
Comptroller of the Treasury
The Comptroller of the Treasury was an official of the United States Department of the Treasury from 1789 to 1817. According to section III of the Act of Congress establishing the Treasury Department, it is the comptroller's duty to...
. He became Chief Clerk of the Treasury in 1910. He later worked for the Treasury in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
as Custodian of Gold.
In 1917, Wilmeth became Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the head of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing within the United States Department of the Treasury. The current Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is Larry R. Felix....
. He was also mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
from 1920 to 1923. In 1922, in a surprise move, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
issued an executive order
Executive order
An executive order in the United States is an order issued by the President, the head of the executive branch of the federal government. In other countries, similar edicts may be known as decrees, or orders in council. Executive orders may also be issued at the state level by a state's governor or...
dismissing Wilmeth and 28 other top officials in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They were suspected of improper duplication of bonds. Wilmeth was later completely exonerated of all charges, and in 1924, he was offered the opportunity to return to the post of Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing but Wilmeth refused.
After leaving government service, Wilmeth worked in an insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
firm.
Wilmeth retired to Philadelphia, where he died in 1959.