After graduation, he worked as a country editor of a weekly newspaper, reading law with the goal of entering the bar at the same time. He abandoned both professions, instead taking a clerkship at the Treasury Department in 1861, at an annual salary of $1,200. He remained a clerk until President Ulysses S. Grant made him cashier of the United States under Treasurer John C. New.
Gilfillan, rising steadily through the ranks, was appointed Treasurer by President Rutherford B. Hayes, and he served from July 1, 1877 to March 31, 1883. During this period he was also Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia; he was not paid for his service on the board until a bill of Senator George P. McLean of Connecticut passed Congress, awarding him $4,750.
As Treasurer, Gilfillan acquired a reputation for integrity in his dealings, launching anti-corruption investigations, avoiding politics, and attending to his business.[1]
In his later years, Gilfillan lived in Colchester, Connecticut. In November 1928, he was one of only five persons over the age of 90 to vote in the town. He died at his home there, aged 92, and his funeral took place two days later.
james, gilfillan, also, judge, april, 1836, april, 1929, 13th, treasurer, united, states, 13th, treasurer, united, statesin, office, july, 1877, march, 1883presidentrutherford, hayesjames, garfieldchester, arthurpreceded, wymansucceeded, wymanpersonal, details. See also James Gilfillan judge James Gilfillan April 25 1836 April 8 1929 was the 13th Treasurer of the United States James Gilfillan13th Treasurer of the United StatesIn office July 1 1877 March 31 1883PresidentRutherford B HayesJames A GarfieldChester A ArthurPreceded byA U WymanSucceeded byA U WymanPersonal detailsBorn 1836 04 25 April 25 1836Belchertown Massachusetts U S DiedApril 8 1929 1929 04 08 aged 92 Colchester Connecticut U S Alma materWilliams CollegeSignatureGilfillan was a native of Belchertown Massachusetts born there to Scottish parents In 1856 he graduated from Williams College where he was a classmate of future President James A Garfield After graduation he worked as a country editor of a weekly newspaper reading law with the goal of entering the bar at the same time He abandoned both professions instead taking a clerkship at the Treasury Department in 1861 at an annual salary of 1 200 He remained a clerk until President Ulysses S Grant made him cashier of the United States under Treasurer John C New Gilfillan rising steadily through the ranks was appointed Treasurer by President Rutherford B Hayes and he served from July 1 1877 to March 31 1883 During this period he was also Sinking Fund Commissioner for the District of Columbia he was not paid for his service on the board until a bill of Senator George P McLean of Connecticut passed Congress awarding him 4 750 As Treasurer Gilfillan acquired a reputation for integrity in his dealings launching anti corruption investigations avoiding politics and attending to his business 1 In his later years Gilfillan lived in Colchester Connecticut In November 1928 he was one of only five persons over the age of 90 to vote in the town He died at his home there aged 92 and his funeral took place two days later References edit Mr Gilfillan s Retirement The New York Times March 7 1883 p 1 Bibliography edit James Gilfillan Garfield Aide Dies The New York Times April 9 1929 p 28 Government officesPreceded byA U Wyman Treasurer of the United States1877 1883 Succeeded byA U Wyman Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Gilfillan amp oldid 1123143157, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
