Stanton, Edwin McMasters

(1814-1869), the great War Secretary of the Civil War, built up a large legal busine in Ohio and Pennsy]vania before the Rebellion, but held no offices except reporter to the Ohio Supreme Court. President Buchanan called him to his Cabinet as Attorney-General in 1860. In 1862 President Lincoln selected him to succeed Cameron as Secretary of War. His conduct of this department was very energetic; he was, however, embroiled at times with politicians and officers; especially notable were his controversies with Mc- Clellan and Sherman. Continuing in Johnson’s Cabinet, he differed seriously with the President, and was suspended in August, 1867. This action brought to a head the quarrel between Congre and the President. Stanton was restored in January, 1868, removed in February. The President’s impeachment followed. By President Grant Stanton was nominated as Justice of the Supreme Court, but he died soon afterward.