James Buchanan Henry (March 1, 1833 – February 17, 1915)[1] was a lawyer, writer, Private Secretary to the President of the United States, nephew and ward[2] of James Buchanan.[3][4] He was the first man to hold this office after it became a paid government post.[5] He held this position for two years.[6]
James Buchanan Henry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Private Secretary to the President | |
| In office 1857–1859 | |
| President | James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Sidney Webster |
| Succeeded by | James Buchanan II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1833 Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 17, 1915 (aged 81) Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Hagner Nicholson
(m. 1859; died 1865)Louisa Anderson
(m. 1872; died 1886)Margaret Grote Ellman
(m. 1904) |
| Children | 8 |
| Alma mater | College of New Jersey |
J. B. Henry was the son of Harriet Elizabeth Buchanan (1802–1840) and the Reverend Robert Henry (1801–1838). At age seven, Henry was adopted by uncle James Buchanan and raised as his ward.[3] Buchanan wanted his nephew to become an attorney like him, and paid for his admittance and education at Princeton[3] in 1850.[7] In 1851 he sent Henry to study law in Philadelphia with John Cadwalader.[7]
Prior to Henry, each president paid the wages of his private secretaries out of his own pocket.[8] Some of Henry's duties included drawing the President's salary and paying all of the bills. His post was in the office of the southeast corner room, second floor. He served there between the years 1857 to 1859. Henry was succeeded by his cousin, James Buchanan II (1834–1877).
After leaving the White House, he practiced law in New York City, where he served as Assistant United States District Attorney.
Notes
edit- ^ "James Buchanan Genealogy". Lancaster History. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ "WHITE HOUSE GETS RELIC.; Buchanan's Nephew Sends Sevres Plate Owned by ex-President" (PDF). The New York Times. June 7, 1914. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ a b c Kessler, Charles. "Remembering President Buchanan". kudzumonthly. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ "5". Capital Builder: The Shorthand Journals of Montgomery C. Meigs (PDF). Congressional Committee Materials Online via GPO Access. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ "Old and Sold Antiques Digest". 1908. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ "Publication of Resignation". The New York Times. 1959-03-17. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ a b "1849-1853: Working at Wheatland". deila Dickinson. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ Price, W.W. (1901). Secretary to the Presidents. The Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2009-05-20.