GRESHAM, Walter Quinton, American jurist and statesman: b. near Lanesville, Har rison County, Ind., 17 March 1832; d. Washing ton, D. C., 28 May 1895. His family originated in Kentucky, from which State his grandfather had removed to Indiana. There his father met with success as a farmer, and also exercised the art of cabinet-making. He was elected sheriff and was murdered in the performance of his duties. The son was educated at the local school, and the State University, Bloom ingdale, Ind. After leaving the latter he went to Corydon, Ind., and began the study of law, while filling the office of deputy clerk (1854). In 1860 he was elected to the State legislature. When the Civil War broke out he was commis sioned in the Federal service as lieutenant colonel of the 38th Indiana regiment. He was promoted under Grant, and at Vicksburg had charge of a brigade with the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. He joined Sherman'a forces in the expedition against Atlanta, Ga., where he commanded the 4th division of the 17th Army Corps. At Leggetts Hill, in January 1864, he was severely wounded and disabled from service, and in the following year was retired as major-general of volunteers. He chose as his home New Albany, Ind., and began an active life as law practitioner. In 1866 he was put forward by his friends as Republican candidate for Congress, but was de feated at the polls, and for the two following years resided in New York, as the financial agent of his State. His next field of activity was as a jurist, for in 1869 President Grant appointed him judge of the United States Cir cuit Court for Indiana. He had previously declined an appointment as collector of customs at New Orleans, which would have necessitated his removal from Indiana. He had also de
clined the position offered him as district attor ney. But his great abilities and high character had pointed him out as fitted for some im portant employment, and in 1882 no surprise was felt, but rather general expectation was satisfied when he received an appointment to the cabinet with the portfolio of postmaster general (1882). Upon his recommendation Con gress passed an act excluding all lottery matter from the United States mails. In 1884 he was called to the secretaryship of the treasury, in the discharge of whose duties he would doubt less have increased his reputation as a financier, had he not been appointed a few months later as United States circuit judge for the 7th judi cial district. He made himself conspicuous as favoring the third term of his old friend Gen eral Grant (1880). His own name had been put forward with some enthusiasm as presidential candidate in 1884, and again in 1888. There were many who thought that he had good claims to be invested with the office of the chief magistrate. Subsequently he changed his convictions on the most important question of the hour, and ranged himself on the side of views of tariff legislation with which the Re publican party had no sympathy. The Populists, however, looked upon him with favor as his judicial decisions had in many cases been to their advantage. Had he consented, they would have nominated him for the presidency at the national convention of that party held at Omaha, Neb., in July 1892. He declined the honor and made a public statement announcing his purpose of supporting Grover Cleveland's nomination. He was afterward named by President Cleveland as Secretary of State.