James Gilfillan

James Gilfillan (born April 25, 1836 in Belchertown , Massachusetts , † April 8, 1929 in Colchester , Connecticut ) was an American government official.

Career

James Gilfillan was born in Hampshire County a year before the Great Depression of 1837 . Nothing is known about his youth. His parents were Scots . He graduated in 1856 from Williams College in Williamstown ( Berkshire County ), where he was a classmate of the future US President James A. Garfield (1831-1881). After graduation, he worked as an editor for a weekly newspaper that appeared in the county. He also studied law . Gilfillan gave up both and instead took a position as a clerk at the Treasury Department in 1861 , with an annual salary of $ 1,200. He worked as a clerk until US President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) made him cashier under Treasurer of the United States John C. New (1831-1906). In the following years he rose continuously and was then appointed Treasurer of the United States by US President Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893). He held the post from July 1, 1877 to March 31, 1883. During that time he also served as the Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia . He received no merit until a bill was passed by Senator George P. McLean (1857-1932), which granted Gilfillan $ 4,750. As treasurer, Gilfillan built a reputation for integrity in his business deals, launched anti-corruption investigations, avoided politics, and went about his business. In his later years he lived in Colchester, New London County . In November 1928, he was one of only five people over the age of 90 to vote in the town . Gilfillan died at his home at the age of 92. His funeral took place in Linwood Cemetery just two days later . He was survived by four daughters.

literature

James Gilfillan, Garfield Aide, Dies, The New York Times, April 9, 1929, p. 28
Garfield, James Abram: The Diary of James A. Garfield: 1872–1874 , Michigan State University, 1872, p. 17

Individual evidence

^ Mr. Gilfillan's Retirement, The New York Times, March 7, 1883, p. 1
↑ James Gilfillan in the Find a Grave database . Retrieved February 11, 2015.

personal data
SURNAME	Gilfillan, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American government official
DATE OF BIRTH	April 25, 1836
PLACE OF BIRTH	Belchertown , Massachusetts
DATE OF DEATH	April 8, 1929
Place of death	Colchester , Connecticut

[1] Mr. Gilfillan's Retirement, The New York Times, March 7, 1883, p. 1

[2] James Gilfillan in the Find a Grave database . Retrieved February 11, 2015.