Spinner, Francis Elias, 1802-1890

Spinner was born in German Flats, New York. He worked in banking, then entered politics as a deputy sheriff. In 1834 he became a major-general in the New York state militia; from 1845 to 1849 he was auditor of the Port of New York. From 1855 to 1861 Spinner served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was appointed as Treasurer of the United States in 1861, a post he resigned in 1875.

Congressman (NY, 1854-1861), Treasurer of the United States (1861-1874), and originator of fractional currency issues.

Merchant, banker, U.S. representative from New York, and U.S. treasurer.

U.S. treasurer, U.S. representative from New York, and army officer.

Secretary of treasury, congressman.

Born in Mohawk, Herkimer County, N.Y. Served in the House of Representatives from 1855-1861; appointed treasury secretary by Lincoln in 1861.

Treasurer of the United States.

Appointed by Lincoln to the post of Treasurer of the United States (1861-1875).

United States Representative and Treasurer of the United States.

Francis Elias Spinner was born in 1802 in German Flats, New York. He attended schools in Mohawk Valley, New York. In 1820 he married Caroline Caswell, and they had five children. Spinner was cashier, then president, of a bank in Mohawk Valley. He entered politics as a deputy sheriff. In 1834 he became a major general in the New York state militia, and from 1845 to 1849 he was auditor of the port of New York.

From 1855-1861 Spinner served three terms in the House of Representatives, first as an anti-slavery Democrat, and later as a Republican. In 1861 Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase appointed Spinner Treasurer of the United States, where he made his mark by his elaborate signature and by employing women in the civil service, replacing young men who had gone into uniform. He was Treasurer of the United States from March 16, 1861 to June 6, 1875. Spinner died on February 22, 1890, in Washington, D.C.

Biographical Note

Francis Elias Spinner