Elihu B. Washburne
Elihu Benjamin Washburne was one of seven brothers that played a prominent role early in the formation of the United States Republican Party and the Lincoln and Grant administrations. A member of Congress (as were three of his brothers), Elihu was known for his courage, and met President-elect Lincoln upon his arrival to Washington, DC. An assassination attempt was feared and GOP leader were afraid to take on this duty. Elihu had hidden the whereabouts of President-Elect Lincoln by personally cutting telegraph wires in key locations.
Washburne also served as President Ulysses S. Grant's Secretary of State for 12 days in March 1869.
External Links
| Preceded by: William H. Seward |
Secretary of State of the United States | Succeeded by: Hamilton Fish |