Daniel Scott Lamont

Daniel Scott Lamont

Daniel Scott Lamont (born February 9, 1851 in Cortland County, New York , † July 23, 1905 in Millbrook, New York ) was Secretary of War of the United States during the second term of Grover Cleveland .

Career

Lamont was born on his family farm in Cortland County, New York. He received his PhD from Union College in Schenectady, New York . While at Union College, he joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.

He was an administrative officer and assistant general manager at the State Capitol in Albany, New York . He was also a staff officer in the Democratic State Central Committee in 1872 and executive director of the New York State Department from 1875 to 1882.

In 1883, through his mentor Daniel Manning , Lamont was assigned to the New York governor's staff of Grover Cleveland as political advisor. In the same year he became a private and military secretary with the rank of colonel on his staff. Even when Cleveland became president in 1885, he continued in his service. Lamont also kept in touch with William C. Whitney in his business venture in 1889.

From March 5, 1893 to March 5, 1897, Lamont served as Secretary of War in President Cleveland's cabinet. During his tenure he pushed for a three battalion infantry regiment as part of a general modernization and reinforcement of the army. Lamont also recommended the establishment of a memorial to the army and urged Congress to mark the main battlefields as it was in the case of Antietam . He also recommended that the areas used by the Apache inmates at Fort Sill be purchased for their permanent use and that their prisoner status be terminated.

After serving as Secretary of War, Lamont was Vice President of the Northern Pacific Railway Company from 1898 to 1904. He was also the director of numerous banks and corporations.

Lamont died in Millbrook, New York, in 1905.

Web links

• Army biography
• Daniel S. Lamont in the Miller Center of Public Affairs of the University of Virginia (English)