Gresham, Walter Quintin, 1832-1895

U.S. secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, postmaster general, jurist, statesman, and soldier.

From the description of Walter Quintin Gresham papers, 1857-1932 (bulk 1883-1895). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84052759

Walter Quintin Gresham was a lawyer, soldier, judge, and politician. A native of Harrison County, Ind., Gresham practiced law in Corydon, served a term in the state legislature, served with the 38th and 53rd Indiana Regiments during the Civil War, ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress after the war, served as a district and circuit judge, ran unsuccessfully as a presidential candidate in 1888, and served as Grover Cleveland's Secretary of State. Gresham's son Otto was a lawyer specializing in patent law.

From the description of Collection, 1858-1946, bulk 1858-1935. (Indiana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 43535302

Soldier, jurist, and statesman; Secretary of State under Grover Cleveland, 1893-1895.

From the description of Correspondence relating to the proposed annexation of Hawaii, Nov. 20, 1893-Apr. 11, 1895. (University of Hawaii at Manoa). WorldCat record id: 12435796

Gresham served as a general in the Civil War, and afterwards became a U.S. district judge (Indiana). He held several positions in the federal government thereafter: Postmaster General (1883-1884), Secretary of the Treasury (1884), and U.S. Secretary of State. Carter served as counsel for the U.S. before the Bering Sea Fur-Seal Tribunal of Arbitration.

From the description of Letter to James C. Carter, 2 February 1895. (Harvard Law School Library). WorldCat record id: 234339127

American soldier and politician.

From the description of Letter signed : "Post Office Department," to the Attorney General, 1884 May 20. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270510286

Member of Indiana state house of representatives, 1861; general in the Union Army during the Civil War; candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana, 1866, 1868; delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1868; U.S. District Judge for Indiana, 1869-83; U.S. Postmaster General, 1883-84; U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, 1884; Judge of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, 1884-93; U.S. Secretary of State, 1893-95; died in office 1895.

From the description of Walter Quintin Gresham commission for postmaster, 1883 Apr. 21. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 244391127

Biographical Note

• 1832, Mar. 17: Born near Lanesville, Ind.
• 1834: Elected sheriff, Harrison County, Ind.
• 1854: Admitted to bar in Indiana
• 1858: Married Matilda McGrain
• 1860: Elected to Indiana house of representatives
• 1861: Commissioned lieutenant colonel and then colonel, 38th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
• 1863: Appointed brigadier general, 38th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
• 1864: Commanded division in General William T. Sherman's Atlanta campaign and was wounded
• 1869 - 1883 : Judge, United States district judge for Indiana
• 1883 - 1884 : Postmaster general
• 1884: Secretary of the treasury
• 1891 - 1893 : Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• 1893 - 1895 : Secretary of state
• 1895, May 28: Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the Walter Quintin Gresham Papers, 1857-1932, (bulk 1883-1895), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)