GRESHAM, WALTER QUINTON (1832-95). An American jurist and politician, born near Lanesville, Harrison County, Ind. He was edu cated at the Indiana State University, but left before completing the course, and, after studying law at Corydon, Ind., was admitted to the bar in 1853. He stumped the State of Indiana for Fre mont in the campaign of 1856, and in 1860 was elected as a Republican to the State Legislature. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Thirty eighth Indiana Volunteers, but was chosen lieu tenant-colonel of the regiment before it left the State. In December, 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, and commanded it at Shiloh, at Corinth, and in the Vicksburg campaign. For bravery at the siege of Vicksburg he was promoted to be briga dier-general in August, 1863. He commanded the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps of Sherman's army at the beginning of the march to the sea; but at Leggett's Hill, near Atlanta, was so severely wounded in the knee as to be compelled to retire from active ser vice. In March, 1865, he was brevetted major general. After the war he resumed his law prac tice at New Albany, Ind., and in 1866 was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress. After spending the greater part of the next two years in New York City as financial agent for his native State, he was appointed in 1869 by President Grant United States District Judge for Indiana. In 1880 he was an unsuccessful candi
date for the United States Senate, and in 1882 resigned his seat on the bench in order to accept President Arthur's tender of the office of Post master-General, made vacant by the death of Timothy O. Howe. In 1884 he was made Secre tary of the Treasury, a position which he held for a few months, when he was appointed United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 1884 and 1888. Later his views on the tariff underwent a change, and he found himself out of sympathy with his party. Several of his judicial decisions had won for him the support of the Populists, and had he con sented he could have been nominated for the Pres idency at the national convention of that party held at Omaha, Neb., in July, 1892. He refused to allow his name to be considered, however, and soon after issued a public statement declaring his purpose to support Grover Cleveland's candi dacy. After his election, President Cleveland named Judge Gresham Secretary of State.