born April 26, 1830, near Owego, N.Y., U.S.
died Aug. 6, 1915, New York, N.Y.
U.S. public official.
He served as a county district attorney (1853–59) and, after fighting in the American Civil War, as U.S. attorney (1866–73). Appointed secretary of the navy (1889–93) by Pres. Benjamin Harrison , he continued the expansion of the navy begun by William C. Whitney , authorizing construction of new battleships and cruisers. His departmental reforms and modernization contributed to eventual U.S. naval superiority.