Francis Elias Spinner (4) Autographs

Profession:
(1802-1890) American politician from New York - he was Treasurer of the United States from 1861 to 1875

Year of Birth: 1802

Francis Elias Spinner was born on January 21, 1802, in German Flatts, New York. He was the son of Palatine German immigrants and grew up in a modest farming family.

Spinner initially pursued a career as a teacher, but his interest in politics led him to become involved in local government. He was elected as the County Clerk of Herkimer County at the age of 25, and later served as the Sheriff of that county.

In 1855, Spinner was elected as a Democrat to the United States Congress, where he served for three terms. However, he eventually switched his allegiance to the Republican Party and was appointed as the Treasurer of the United States by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

As Treasurer, Spinner implemented a number of reforms to modernize the Treasury Department, including the introduction of paper currency and the first standardized federal coinage. He also introduced the idea of hiring women to work as clerks in the Treasury Department, a progressive move at the time.

Spinner served as Treasurer until 1875, when he retired from public service. He passed away on December 31, 1890, leaving behind a legacy of modernization and equality in the federal government.

Today, Francis Elias Spinner is remembered as a trailblazer in financial reform and a champion for gender equality in the workplace.