Office Timeline
History of the Illinois State Treasurer
The office of the Illinois State Treasurer predates Illinois Statehood, tracing its roots to the early days of the Republic.
With the defeat of the British by American revolutionaries in 1783, and subsequent Peace of Paris that same year, large swaths of territory in the interior, from the Mississippi River in the West to the frontiers of the original thirteen colonies along the Appalachian Mountain range, were opened to westward expansion by the nascent democracy.
The Northwest Territory was incorporated in 1787 and included all of present-day Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and the Northeastern section of Minnesota. After Ohio was admitted into the Union in 1800, the remainder of the area fell under the Indiana Territory, which was further subdivided into the Michigan Territory (1805) and the Illinois Territory (1809). Throughout this period the treasurer oversaw the assets of the territory. This office continued under the Illinois Territory and was enumerated in the original state constitution in 1818.
Since gaining statehood, 74 people have served as the Illinois State Treasurer…
Since gaining statehood, 74 people have served as the Illinois State Treasurer. Only one woman has served as State Treasurer, Judy Baar Topinka, who served the longest term in the office’s history for twelve years, from 1995-2007. Seventy State Treasurers have been elected either by the legislature or the public, four were appointed by the Governor.
Until 1848, Treasurers were appointed to a two year term by a vote of the General Assembly. The 1848 Illinois constitution changed that, and gave the citizens of Illinois the right to elect the Treasurer. In 1954, the length of the term served by the Treasurer was lengthened from two years to four years. In 1970, the election year in which the Treasurer was chosen was moved to line up with the other Illinois Constitutional officers.
The role of the State Treasurer has evolved over the years as the U.S. and Illinois modernized from a largely agrarian economy in the early 1800s, through the era of industrialization and urbanization, into the modern world of the globalized and interconnected capital economy of today.
In the early days of the office, the State Treasurer’s primary responsibility was to be custodian of a strongbox where the states’ funds were kept. State funds could be loaned out by the Treasurer, who was allowed to keep the interest as personal income. In the early 20th Century, state law changed to require that State Funds be deposited into banks. As our system of Government and Finance evolved, more checks and balances were put into place to ensure better record keeping, accountability, and transparency.
Since 1970, the Treasurer’s office has engaged the public on issues of financial literacy, and has helped spur investment and growth in Illinois communities through targeted loan programs. The Treasurer’s office oversees the State’s 529 College Savings programs, and most recently, the Treasurer’s office administers the Illinois Technology Development Account, a venture capital fund aimed at developing technology firms in the State. The Treasurer’s office also manages the State’s unclaimed property.
Today, the office of the State Treasurer serves as custodians of the public funds, the chief investment officer of the state, and the state’s top banker.
Those who served as Illinois’ Treasurer reflect the long and storied history of our great State. Treasurer John Smith was a Brigadier General in the Civil War, serving as Treasurer before becoming Illinois’ 24th Lt. Governor. William Stratton served as Treasurer before becoming the youngest Governor in the country at the time. Adlai Stevenson III was Treasurer before he went on to serve in the U.S. Senate, as did Alan Dixon. Judy Baar Topinka was the first woman elected to Treasurer, and the first woman to be elected to two separate constitutional offices.
Michael Frerichs
2015-Present
A Certified Public Finance Officer, former Champaign County auditor, and former state senator representing East Central Illinois, Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committed to restoring integrity and transparency to state government. As the state’s chief investment officer, Treasurer Frerichs will leverage our investments to not only earn strong returns for taxpayers but also create good-paying jobs that help families and communities rebuild the American Dream.
(2011-2015)
Dan Rutherford
Dan Rutherford was born in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois, in 1955. He attended Illinois State University and worked for ServiceMaster before entering public office. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003 and in the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2011, representing the 53rd District. A Republican from Livingston County, Rutherford was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 2010 and served one term from 2011 to 2015. He later ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Illinois in 2014.
(2007-2011)
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1976 to Greek immigrant parents. He attended The Latin School of Chicago, studied at the University of Chicago, and later transferred to Boston University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and played basketball. After graduation, he played basketball in Greece before returning to Chicago to work at Broadway Bank, the family’s community bank.
A Democrat from Cook County, Giannoulias was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 2006 and took office on January 8, 2007. At age 30, he became the youngest state treasurer in the nation. He served one term from 2007 to 2011 before running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010. He later was elected Illinois Secretary of State and took office in 2023.
(1995-2007)
Judy Baar Topinka
Judy Baar Topinka was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1944. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she began her career in journalism before entering public service. She was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1980 and later to the Illinois Senate in 1984, where she served until running for statewide office.
A Republican from Cook County, Topinka was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1994 and became the first woman in Illinois history elected to the office. She served three terms as Treasurer, from 1995 to 2007, and later chaired the Illinois Republican Party from 2002 to 2005. After an unsuccessful run for governor in 2006, she was elected Illinois Comptroller in 2010 and took office in 2011. She was re-elected in 2014 but died on December 10, 2014.
(1991-1995)
Pat Quinn
Patrick J. Quinn was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1948 and later attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Cook County. He earned degrees from Georgetown University and Northwestern University before beginning his career as a tax attorney. A longtime reform advocate, he helped lead the campaigns for binding referenda, the Cutback Amendment, and the creation of the Citizens Utility Board. Quinn later served on the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals, as revenue director under Mayor Harold Washington in Chicago, and as Illinois State Treasurer from 1991 to 1995. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2002 and became Governor of Illinois in 2009 following Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment. After winning a full term in 2010, he left office in 2015 following his defeat in 2014.
(1987-1991)
Jerome Cosentino
Jerome “Jerry” Cosentino was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1931. A trucking executive and transportation company owner, he entered public office as a Metropolitan Sanitary District commissioner in Cook County. In 1978, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer, becoming the first Italian American elected to statewide office in Illinois. He served from 1979 to 1983. Cosentino returned to the Treasurer’s office after winning election again in 1986, serving a second term from 1987 to 1991. After leaving office, he pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 1992 and was sentenced to nine months of home confinement. He later moved to Naples, Florida, where he died in 1997.
(1991-1995)
James Donnewald
James Donnewald was born in 1925 in Carlyle. Donnewald attended St. Louis University for his undergraduate education and earned a law degree from Lincoln College of Law in 1949. He began his law practice in Breese, just outside of Carlyle. In 1948, he was elected Democratic precinct committeeman and, in 1948, was elected Carlyle Township Supervisor. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1960 and re-elected in 1962. In 1964, he moved to the State Senate. During his tenure, he served as the assistant Senate majority leader. In 1982, he was elected as the state Treasurer. He was defeated in the Democratic Primary in 1986 by Jerome Cosentino, who was also his predecessor. He left office in 1987 and retired from public life. Donnewald died in 2009 at the age of 84.
(1979-1983)
Jerome Cosentino
Jerome “Jerry,” Cosentino was born in Chicago in 1931. He worked as a trucker, and owned a transportation company. He was first elected to office as a Cook County Metropolitan Sanitary District Commissioner, serving for four years. In 1978, Cosentino was elected to the office of Illinois Treasurer, becoming the first Italian-American to be elected to statewide office in Illinois. After four years in the private sector, Cosentino again sought the office of state Treasurer and was re-elected in November 1986. After leaving office in January 1991, Cosentino was indicted for bank fraud. He pled guilty in April 1992, and was sentenced to serve nine months in home confinement. Upon completing this sentence, the former official left Illinois and moved to Naples, Florida, where he died in 1997.
(1977-1979)
Donald R. Smith
Donald Smith was born in 1926. Smith attended York High School in Elmhurst and, in 1944, joined the United States Navy at the age of 18. After the war, he attended Loyola University and John Marshall Law School. He began his career in Government in 1950 when he was appointed to the DuPage County Board of Review. In 1954, he became Chief Deputy Treasurer of DuPage, and then. In 1958, he was elected Treasurer of DuPage County in 1958. From 1965 until 1977, Smith served as chief fiscal officer in the office of the Illinois Treasurer under three State Treasurers: William J. Scott, Adlai E. Stevenson, and Alan J. Dixon. In 1977, he was appointed Illinois Treasurer to fill the last two years of Alan Dixon’s term. Smith served until 1979. Smith was murdered in a mysterious incident in February 1982 in Chicago.
(1971-1977)
Alan J. Dixon
Alan Dixon was born in Belleville, Illinois in 1927. Dixon attended Illinois public schools and later earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. During World War II, Dixon served in the United States Navy Air Corps. Dixon was first elected to public office in 1950, when he was sent to the General Assembly to represent his hometown. He served in the House for 12 years, before moving on to the State Senate, where he served for 8 years. He was the Democratic candidate for State Treasurer in 1970. He won that race, which remains noteworthy today for the involvement of a political prankster, a young Karl Rove. Rove stole letterhead from Dixon campaign, but was never charged with a crime. Dixon went on to win the election, and subsequent re-election, but vacated the office early to run for Secretary of State. He was elected as Secretary of State in 1976, and in 1980, successfully ran for U.S. Senate, a seat he held for two terms. Dixon passed away in 2014, one day shy of his 87th birthday.Alan Dixon was born in Belleville, Illinois, in 1927. Dixon attended Illinois public schools and later earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
During World War II, Dixon served in the United States Navy Air Corps. Dixon was first elected to public office in 1950, when he was sent to the General Assembly to represent his hometown. He served in the House for 12 years before moving on to the State Senate, where he served for 8 years. He was the Democratic candidate for State Treasurer in 1970. He won that race, which remains noteworthy today for the involvement of a political prankster, a young Karl Rove. Rove stole letterhead from the Dixon campaign, but was never charged with a crime. Dixon went on to win the election and subsequent re-election, but vacated the office early to run for Secretary of State. He was elected Secretary of State in 1976 and, in 1980, successfully ran for U.S. Senate, a seat he held for two terms. Dixon passed away in 2014, one day shy of his 87th birthday.Alan Dixon was born in Belleville, Illinois in 1927. Dixon attended Illinois public schools and later earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. During World War II, Dixon served in the United States Navy Air Corps.
Dixon was first elected to public office in 1950, when he was sent to the General Assembly to represent his hometown. He served in the House for 12 years, before moving on to the State Senate, where he served for 8 years. He was the Democratic candidate for State Treasurer in 1970. He won that race, which remains noteworthy today for the involvement of a political prankster, a young Karl Rove. Rove stole letterhead from Dixon campaign, but was never charged with a crime. Dixon went on to win the election, and subsequent re-election, but vacated the office early to run for Secretary of State. He was elected as Secretary of State in 1976, and in 1980, successfully ran for U.S. Senate, a seat he held for two terms. Dixon passed away in 2014, one day shy of his 87th birthday.
(1970-1971)
Charles Woodford
Charles W. Woodford was born in Sharon, Wisconsin, in 1931. A graduate of Beloit College, he began his business career in Chicago and later served as assistant Illinois State Treasurer under Adlai E. Stevenson III. When Stevenson left office after winning election to the U.S. Senate, Woodford was appointed to complete the remainder of the term and served as Illinois State Treasurer from November 17, 1970, to January 11, 1971. After leaving statewide office, Woodford continued in finance and public service. He chaired the 1973 Illinois Budget Task Force, helped with the implementation of the Illinois Comptroller’s office, and later held senior positions with major banks and insurance companies. He died in 2009 and later life sources place him in Hanover, Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
(1967-1970)
Adlai Stevenson III
Adlai E. Stevenson III was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1930. A member of one of Illinois’ most prominent political families, he was the great-grandson of Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I, the grandson of former Illinois Secretary of State Lewis G. Stevenson of McLean County, and the son of Governor Adlai E. Stevenson II of Lake County.
After serving in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War and continuing in the Marine Reserves until 1961, Stevenson earned a law degree from Harvard in 1957 and began his legal career as a clerk for the Illinois Supreme Court. He was elected to Congress in 1964 in Illinois’ unusual at-large election and later won election as Illinois State Treasurer. A Democrat from Cook County, he took office on January 9, 1967 and resigned on November 17, 1970, after winning a special election to the U.S. Senate.
Stevenson served in the Senate until 1981, won re-election in 1974, and later was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1982 and 1986. In later years, he worked to promote U.S. interests in East Asia and lived in Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois.
(1970-1971)
William J. Scott
William Scott was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1926. Scott enlisted in the Naval Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Chicago where he attended Kent College of Law. He was an accomplished attorney, and was named a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in 1959. In that position, he led a crackdown on organized crime in the Chicago area. Scott was also involved in banking, serving at one point as vice-president of the National Boulevard Bank. Scott was the Republican nominee for Treasurer in 1962. Partly due to his reputation fighting organized crime, Scott was successful in his bid for Treasurer. When his term expired, Scott ran for Illinois Attorney General, a position he held until he resigned in 1982. During his time as Attorney General, Scott distinguished himself as champion of the environment. William Scott faced controversy at the end of his time in office. He was brought up and found guilty on Tax Evasion charges, and served time in Federal Prison. He died in Chicago in 1986.
(1961-1963)
Francis S. Lorenz
Francis S. Lorenz was born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1914. He attended Chicago Public Schools, earned his law degree from DePaul University, and began his legal career in private practice. In 1943, he was appointed an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago, where he helped advance the use of eminent domain to support major public works projects, including O’Hare Airport and the Chicago Skyway in Cook County. A Democrat rooted in Cook County public service, Lorenz was elected Clerk of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1956 and later Cook County Treasurer. In 1961, he was appointed Illinois State Treasurer to fill the remainder of Joseph D. Lohman’s term and served until 1963. After leaving statewide office, he served as State Director of Public Works and later as a justice on the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, from 1970 to 1992. He died in Barrington, Illinois, in 2008.
(1959-1961)
Joseph D. Lohman
Joseph D. Lohman was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1910. He studied at the University of Denver, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Chicago, where he developed a distinguished career in sociology and criminology. A respected academic and public thinker, he held leadership roles in national and Illinois criminal justice organizations and earned recognition for his advisory work with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Lohman’s public service career was centered in Cook County, Illinois. Appointed chairman of the Illinois Parole Board in 1949, he later was elected Sheriff of Cook County in 1954. A Democrat from Cook County, he won election as Illinois State Treasurer in 1958 and took office on January 12, 1959, becoming the first Treasurer elected to a four-year term under the revised constitutional schedule.
After an unsuccessful run for governor in 1960, Lohman resigned as Treasurer in 1961 to become dean of the School of Criminology at the University of California, Berkeley. He died in Walnut Creek, California, in 1968.
(1957-1959)
Elmer J. Hoffman
Elmer J. Hoffman was born on his family’s farm near Wheaton, DuPage County, Illinois, in 1899. He attended Wheaton public schools and served in the Artillery Corps during World War I, including service in France. After the war, he helped operate his father’s farm and also ran a trucking business.
His public career was rooted in local law enforcement. Hoffman worked in the sheriff’s office beginning in 1930, served as Sheriff of DuPage County from 1939 to 1942 and again from 1947 to 1950, and also served as chief deputy sheriff. A staunch Republican, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1952 and re-elected in 1956. He later represented Illinois’ 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 1959 to 1965 and went on to serve on the DuPage County Board. He died in Wheaton, Illinois, in 1976.
(1955-1957)
Warren Wright
Warren Wright was born in Murrayville in 1893. He served in the Army during World War I, and became Postmaster of Murrayville on his return. He was active from young age in the Republican Party, active in the Morgan County Republican Party, and also serving on the State Central Committee. In 1940, he was elected as State Treasurer. Wright used monthly radio broadcasts to publicize the work of the Treasurer and the current standing of the office. Wright was the Republican nominee for US Senate in 1942, and for Illinois Secretary of State in 1952, but was unsuccessful in those attempts. In 1954, Wright successfully ran again as his party’s nominee for Treasurer. Wright’s second term was not without controversy. Wright was questioned before a US Senate Committee about depositing practices made by his office in connection with the scandal surrounding Orville Hodge, the disgraced Public Auditor who plead guilty to embezzlement and forgery. Political struggles within the Republican Party threatened to sideline Wright’s candidacy for re-election, he had to run in a contested Republican Primary without Party support. Despite this, he won the party nomination, only to lose the 1958 General Election. He later ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1960. Wright passed away in 1962.
(1953-1955)
Elmer J. Hoffman
Elmer Hoffman was born on his family’s farm near Wheaton in 1899. Hoffman attended the public schools in Wheaton. He enlisted in the Artillery Corps during the WWI and served in France. After the war, he helped operate his father’s farm as well as his own trucking firm. He was a Sheriff’s deputy in DuPage from 1930-1938, and was elected sheriff of DuPage County in 1938, where he served as Sheriff or Chief Deputy Sheriff until 1950. Hoffman, a staunch Republican, was his party’s nominee for Treasurer in 1952. He was successful, and ran again and won in 1956. In 1958, he was elected to Congress in Illinois’ 14th District. He served for two terms. Hoffman would go on to serve on the DuPage County Board. Hoffman passed away in 1976.
(1951-1953)
William Stratton
William G. Stratton was born in Ingleside, Lake County, Illinois, in 1914. The son of former Illinois Secretary of State William J. Stratton, he attended Lake County public schools and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in political science. In 1940, he won election to one of Illinois’ at-large seats in Congress, becoming the youngest member of the 77th Congress.
Stratton later served two nonconsecutive terms as Illinois State Treasurer, interrupted by World War II naval service in the Pacific. In 1952, he was elected Governor of Illinois, becoming the youngest governor in America at the time, and won re-election in 1956. His years as governor saw major investments in highways, airports, and public higher education. He was defeated in 1960 after seeking a third consecutive term and later lost the 1968 Republican primary for governor. Stratton died in Chicago in 2001.
(1949-1951)
Ora Smith
Ora Smith was born in 1884 in New Market, Iowa. He grew up in Alexis and Kirkwood, Illinois and lived in Biggsville, Illinois most of his adult life. Smith was an Alderman in Kirkwood, and served as Justice of the Peace in Biggsville for 16 years. Smith was well respected, and was elected to six terms in the Illinois State House from 1937-1949. Smith was the Democratic Party nominee for Treasurer in 1948, a contest he won with strong Democratic turnout for President Truman. Smith served a single term, and was an unsuccessful candidate for Clerk of the Supreme Court in 1950. Smith remained active in Democratic politics, and stood for office once again in 1958, winning a closely contested election for State Senate in 1958. Smith died in 1965.
(1947-1949)
Richard Yates Rowe
Richard Yates Rowe was born in Jacksonville in 1888. Rowe came from a family with a history of civic involvement; his great-uncle was Richard Yates Sr., a founder of the Republican Party in Illinois and Governor during the Civil War. His son, Richard Yates Jr, for whom Howe is named, was also a former Governor. Rowe attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a bachelors degree. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. After the war, Rowe became involved in veterans issues, as a local organizer of the American Legion post in Jacksonville. Mr. Rowe was active in Republican Party politics, and in 1943 he became Chairman of the Republican Party. In 1944, he was appointed to the position of Secretary of State, to fill out the remainder of the term of Edward Hughes, who died in office. In 1946, Rowe successfully ran for Treasurer, where he served a single term. Rowe died in Jacksonville, Illinois on March 19, 1973.
(1945-1947)
Conrad F. Becker
Conrad F. Becker was born in Red Bud, Illinois, in 1905. He was educated in the public schools of Red Bud, and later graduated from Sparta High School. As a young man, Becker worked in his family’s milling company, but he was best known in the area as a semi-professional baseball player, having pitched for a number of minor league teams. Becker was offered a contract with St. Louis Cardinals, but declined because of commitments to his family’s business. In 1927, Becker was elected Mayor of Red Bud and was subsequently re-elected twice. He was also active in the Republican Party, working his way from precinct captain to chairman of the Randolph County Republican Central Committee. From 1942 to 1944, Becker was the warden of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Menard. He was elected as Treasurer in 1944, and served a single term. Becker died in New Haven, Missouri in 1965.
(1943-1945)
William Stratton
William Stratton was born in 1914 in Ingleside. His father, William J. Stratton was active in the Republican Party and in politics, having served as Secretary of State from 1929-1933. The young Stratton attended the University of Arizona, and graduated in 1934 with a degree in Political Science. Stratton entered public service himself in 1940, winning an election that year for one Illinois’ At-Large Congressional seats at the age of 26, making him the youngest member of the 77th Congress. Mr. Stratton served for two years, and in 1942, successfully ran as the Republican Nominee for State Treasurer. In 1944, Stratton joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, Stratton was elected again as an at-large Congressman from Illinois. Again, he served a single term, and in 1950, he was elected as State Treasurer for the second time. He won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1952, and defeated Lt. Governor Sherwood Dixon to become the youngest governor in America at that time. Mr. Stratton was re-elected Governor in 1956. Stratton was an ally of President Eisenhower, and was instrumental in the establishment of the interstate highway system in Illinois. He also played a major role in developing O’Hare Airport and McCormick Place. With the G.I. Bill, attendance to college skyrocketed, and Stratton presided over the expansion of the State University system, helping to establish the University of Illinois Chicago, and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. 1960 he ran for an unprecedented third consecutive term, but was defeated by Otto Kerner, Jr. He ran in the Republican primary for Governor in 1968 and was defeated by Richard B. Ogilvie. He remained active in civic life until his death in 2001.
(1941-1943)
Warren Wright
Warren Wright was born in Murrayville in 1893. He served in the Army during World War I, and became Postmaster of Murrayville on his return. He was active from young age in the Republican Party, active in the Morgan County Republican Party, and also serving on the State Central Committee. In 1940, he was elected as State Treasurer. Wright used monthly radio broadcasts to publicize the work of the Treasurer and the current standing of the office. Wright was the Republican nominee for US Senate in 1942, and for Illinois Secretary of State in 1952, but was unsuccessful in those attempts. In 1954, Wright successfully ran again as his party’s nominee for Treasurer. Wright’s second term was not without controversy. Wright was questioned before a US Senate Committee about depositing practices made by his office in connection with the scandal surrounding Orville Hodge, the disgraced Public Auditor who plead guilty to embezzlement and forgery. Political struggles within the Republican Party threatened to sideline Wright’s candidacy for re-election, he had to run in a contested Republican Primary without Party support. Despite this, he won the party nomination, only to lose the 1958 General Election. He later ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1960. Wright passed away in 1962.
(1939-1941)
Louie E. Lewis
Louie E. Lewis was born on his family’s farm in Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois, in 1893. After attending public schools, he began his career as a teacher and later moved into newspaper publishing. Along with his brother, he owned the Sesser Herald and the Christopher Progressive.
A Democrat from Franklin County, Lewis was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1932, where he served three terms and became Speaker of the House during his final term. He was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1938, took office on January 4, 1939, and served one term. After an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 1940, he continued his public service with the Illinois Division of Motor Vehicles. He died in 1968.
(1937-1939)
John C. Martin
John C. Martin was born in 1880, in Salem, Illinois, where his family resided since the early part of the nineteenth century. In 1932, he ran for Treasurer as a Democrat, and was swept into office during the first Presidential election of Franklin D. Roosevelt. He would be elected again as Treasurer in 1936. He was also a member of the Illinois Tax Commission and served as the Commission’s chairman in 1935 and 1936. He was also chairman of the Illinois Emergency Relief Commission from 1935 to 1938. He was elected to Illinois’ At-Large Congressional seat in 1938. In 1940, he ran unsuccessfully for State Auditor. He retired from public service and assumed leadership of the Salem National Bank. He died in California in 1952.
(1935-1939)
John Henry Stelle
John Henry Stelle was born in Mcleansboro in 1891. As a young man, he attended the Western Military Academy, and earned a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. In 1917, he enlisted in the Army to fight in World War I. Stelle saw action in France, and attained the rank of Captain. Stelle was active in the Democratic Party, and served as delegate to many Democratic National Conventions. He was elected to the Treasurer’s office in 1934, serving a single term. In 1937, he became Lt. Governor after Henry Horner was elected to Governor in 1936. Horner died in office in 1940, and Stelle filled out the remainder of his term. Following his brief stint as Governor, Stelle became National Commander of the American Legion, where he was instrumental in drafting language for the G.I. Bill, which after the end of World War II was instrumental in establishing a strong middle class and strong economy that drove U.S. growth in the post-War era. Later in life, Stelle played an important role in John F. Kennedy’s Presidential campaign, helping to secure a strong turnout in Central Illinois for the candidate’s successful bid. Stelle passed away in 1962.
(1933-1935)
John C. Martin
John C. Martin was born in Salem, Marion County, Illinois, in 1880. A banker by profession, he attended Illinois College and later served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. A Democrat from Marion County, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1932 and again in 1936, serving from 1933 to 1935 and 1937 to 1939. During those years, he also chaired both the Illinois Tax Commission and the Illinois Emergency Relief Commission.
Martin was elected to Congress in 1938 but lost his 1940 bid for State Auditor. He then returned to banking and led Salem National Bank for many years. He died in California in 1952 and was buried in his hometown of Salem.
(1931-1933)
Edward J. Barrett
Edward J. Barrett was born in Chicago in 1900 and served in the U.S. Army during World War I after enlisting at age 17. A longtime Democratic precinct captain and Chicago political organizer, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1930 and later served as State Auditor from 1933 to 1941. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and, while still on active duty, won election as Illinois Secretary of State in 1944. He was the first person to hold three different Illinois state executive offices.
After his statewide service, Barrett became Cook County Clerk and was re-elected three times. His later years were marked by legal trouble stemming from a 1972 bribery and kickback conviction. He died in 1977.
(1929-1931)
Omer N. Custer
Omer N. Custer was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1873. As a youth, Custer moved to Galesburg, Illinois. In 1906 he was elected Knox County Treasurer. He served as postmaster in Galesburg under President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration. Governor Lowden appointed Custer to the State Industrial Commission. He was first elected State Treasurer in 1924, and was elected to the position again in 1928. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor against another former Treasurer, Len Small in 1932. Custer was a successful businessman, and publisher of the newspaper in Galesburg. He remained active in Republican Party politics and civic life until he died in 1942.
(1927-1929)
Garrett D. Kinney
Garrett De Forest Kinney was born near Albany, New York, in 1869 and moved with his family to Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, in 1874. Educated in Peoria public schools and later at Cornell University, he returned home to build a successful career in manufacturing and banking. He became a director of the Commercial National Bank of Peoria and was active in Republican politics at both the state and local levels.
A Republican from Peoria County, Kinney was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1926 and took office on January 5, 1927. He served one term. After leaving office, a treasury shortage was discovered, and he died in 1933 following a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
(1925-1929)
Omer N. Custer
Omer N. Custer was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1873. As a youth, Custer moved to Galesburg, Illinois. In 1906 he was elected Knox County Treasurer. He served as postmaster in Galesburg under President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration. Governor Lowden appointed Custer to the State Industrial Commission. He was first elected State Treasurer in 1924, and was elected to the position again in 1928. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor against another former Treasurer, Len Small in 1932. Custer was a successful businessman, and publisher of the newspaper in Galesburg. He remained active in Republican Party politics and civic life until he died in 1942.
(1923-1925)
Oscar Nelson
Nelson was born in Sweden in 1874, and emigrated with his family to the United States in 1880. His family settled in Geneva where he grew up and attended public schools. He held a number of different jobs, and eventually worked his way up to become President of the Geneva State Bank, in Geneva. He was civically active in Kane County, as the head of the Kane County Bankers Association, and as a member of the Kane County Republican Party. He was elected to the office of Treasurer in 1922, where he served a single term. In 1924, he ran for State Auditor, and was re-elected in 1928. In 1931, Nelson was indicted on charges of malfeasance connected to the collapse of Waukegan State Bank, but the charges were later dropped. Nelson passed away in Geneva in 1951.
(1921-1923)
Edward E. Miller
Edward E. Miller was born in Creston, Union County, Iowa, in 1880 and moved to East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Illinois, in 1892. He built a career in real estate and insurance, served as an aide to Congressman William A. Rodenberg, and was a delegate to the 1912 Republican National Convention. A Republican from St. Clair County, he served as Illinois State Treasurer from 1921 to 1923.
Miller later served one term in Congress before returning to private business. During World War II, he became Director of Transportation for the American Red Cross in St. Louis. He died in 1946 and was buried in East St. Louis.
(1919-1921)
Fred E. Sterling
Fred E. Sterling was born in 1869, in Dixon, Illinois. He was educated in the public schools at Dixon and later at Huron, South Dakota. As a young man, Sterling was a newspaper editor in Rockford, Illinois and started the Rockford Register-Gazette. He was active in the Republican Party, as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, a member of Illinois Republican State Central Committee, and the State Chair of the Republican Party. In 1917, Sterling was appointed to the Illinois Public Utilities Commission and then in 1919 was elected Illinois State Treasurer. He then served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois from 1921 until 1933. He passed away in Rockford in 1934.
(1917-1919)
Len Small
Len Small was born in Kankakee County in 1862. Len Small has the dubious distinction of being the first Illinois Governor to be indicted in office. In his early life Small held several different jobs, teaching school, investing in real estate, and eventually owning a farm, a bank, and the daily newspaper in his hometown of Kankakee. He was first elected to public office as a State Senator in 1900. He served two terms, and in 1904, ran for State Treasurer. He served for two years, and was later appointed to a position with the U.S. Treasury in Chicago. In 1916, he successfully ran again for State Treasurer. He would later be elected Governor for two consecutive terms, serving from 1921-1929. It was during his second term as Treasurer where he was alleged to have embezzled $600,000, a charge he was indicted on while serving as Governor. Despite strong evidence, Small was found not guilty in a jury trial. A member of that jury, and two figures connected with organized crime were subsequently charged with jury tampering, but were not convicted. Small died in 1936.
(1915-1917)
Andrew Russel
Andrew Russel was born in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, in 1856. The son of a Scottish immigrant, he studied at Jacksonville Business College and Illinois College before beginning a career in banking and business. He became a partner in a banking firm and later vice president of Ayers National Bank in Jacksonville. Active in public service, he served five terms as Jacksonville city treasurer and spent six years as chairman of the State Board of Pardons.
A Republican leader from Morgan County, Russel was elected Illinois State Treasurer twice, taking office on January 18, 1909, and again on February 20, 1915. He later served as Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts from 1917 to 1925. After returning to banking, he was caught up in the collapse of Ayers National Bank, convicted of violating the National Banking Act, and sentenced to prison in 1934. He died later that year in prison in Milan, Michigan.
(1913-1915)
William Ryan, Jr.
William D. Ryan Jr. was born in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1872 and graduated from St. Viator College in 1892. He entered the family carriage business in Danville, served as a first lieutenant in the Spanish-American War, and married Daisy Markle in 1898. Known as an advocate for better transportation, Ryan was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1912, took office on February 3, 1913, and served one term.
(1911-1913)
Edward E. Mitchell
Edward E. Mitchell was born to a prominent family in Corinth in 1858. He helped establish the First National Bank in Carbondale in 1893, and was a prominent figure in the coal industry. Mitchell served a single term as Mayor of Carbondale, and was active in Republican Party politics as a State Central Committeeman. He was elected Treasurer in 1910 and served a single term. He died in Carbondale in 1938.
(1909-1911)
Andrew Russel
Andrew Russel was born in Jacksonville, IL, in 1856. His father was an immigrant from Scotland. After receiving his education in the Jacksonville Business College and in Illinois College, Russel started his career as a banker and a businessman. He was partner of a banking firm, and was vice president of Ayers National Bank in Jacksonville. He served five terms as Treasurer of the city of Jacksonville, and for six years was chairman of the State Board of Pardons. He was delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois. In 1909, he was elected to the position of Illinois State Treasurer, and six years later he was re-elected to the same position. He later served as Illinois State Auditor of Public Accounts from 1917 to 1925. After public life, he entered banking. Russel was Vice-President of the Ayers National Bank in 1932 when it collapsed. Russel was indicted and convicted for violating the National Banking Act. In 1934 he was sentenced for eighteen months, and died in prison later that year.
(1907-1909)
John F. Smulski
John Smulski was born in 1867 in what is now Poland. His family immigrated to Chicago when he was young. He came from a middle-class background, and rather than follow in his father’s footsteps as a publisher, John decided to enter the legal profession. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1890 and established a practice in what was then known as the Polish Downtown neighborhood of Chicago, an area now known as Bucktown/Wicker Park. Smulski was a reformer and served several terms as an Alderman in Chicago. In 1903, Smulski was elected Chicago City Attorney. In 1906, Smulski successfully ran for Treasurer on the Republican ticket. In office, he instituted some of the first good governance reforms in the Office of the Treasurer. Prior to Treasurer Smulski, it was common practice for Illinois State Treasurers to retain some or all of the interest earned on investments of state monies. Smulski made this an issue during his election campaign and followed through on his promise. He returned over $70,000 in interest to the State in fiscal year 1907. This practice was made into law the following year. Smulski served only one term as Treasurer. He later ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Chicago, and played a major role in organizing relief efforts for the Polish people during the First World War.
(1905-1907)
Len Small
Len Small, born in Kankakee County in 1862, holds the dubious distinction of being the first Illinois Governor to be indicted while in office. During his early years, he took on several jobs—including teaching, investing in real estate, and eventually owning a farm, a bank, and the daily newspaper in his hometown. Elected as a State Senator in 1900, he served two terms. In 1904, he ran successfully for State Treasurer, serving for two years, and was then appointed to a U.S. Treasury position in Chicago. By 1916, he again won the office of State Treasurer, continuing his political ascent. Later, he was elected Governor and served two consecutive terms from 1921 to 1929. Allegations of embezzling $600,000 arose during his second term as Treasurer, which led to his indictment as Governor. Although strong evidence was presented, a jury found him not guilty. Subsequent charges of jury tampering were brought against a juror and two individuals linked to organized crime; however, none were convicted. Small died in 1936.
(1903-1905)
Fred A. Busse
Fred Busse was born in Chicago in 1866. His father, Gustav, was a Union Army captain in the Civil War. Busse worked for his father’s hardware business as a young man before launching his own ventures. Busse was active in Chicago Republican politics and held numerous positions in Cook County before serving in the legislature as both a State Representative and a State Senator. In 1902, he was elected State Treasurer. He served a single term. Busse would later be appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as Postmaster General of Chicago, a position with significant political clout. In 1907, Busse was elected Mayor of the City of Chicago. The Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Cook County is named after him. While Mayor, Busse clandestinely married a woman named Josephine Lee. Josephine was African American, and the first African American First Lady of Chicago.
(1901-1903)
Moses O. Williamson
Moses O. Williamson was born July 14, 1850, on a boat crossing the Atlantic Ocean. His parents were Swedish emigrants making the voyage to America. The Williamson family settled in Knox County. As a young man, Moses began an apprenticeship as a harness maker and eventually bought out the firm’s owners. Williamson was active in civic life in Knox County, serving as justice of the peace, town clerk, and councilman in Wataga. He was also elected as Knox County Treasurer. He co-founded the Swedish-American League of Illinois and was elected its President in 1897. In 1900, Williamson was elected as a Republican to a single term as Treasurer. He died in Galesburg in 1935.
(1899-1901)
Floyd K. Whittemore
Floyd Whittemore was born in New York State and moved to the Sycamore area with his parents at a young age. As a young man, Whittemore decided to study law, but entered government service when Treasurer Beveridge hired Whittemore as Clerk in the office. Whittemore continued in banking after his stint in the Treasurer’s office and was later appointed to a position with the U.S. Treasury in Chicago. He would also serve as Assistant State Treasurer to Treasurer Wulff. He ran as a Republican in 1898 and won. He served a single term. Whittemore died in 1907.
(1897-1899)
Henry L. Hertz
Henry Lamartine Hertz was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1847 and studied medicine before immigrating to the United States in 1869. He settled in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, where he entered public service after holding a variety of jobs. He was elected Cook County Coroner in 1884 and later won election as Illinois State Treasurer on the Republican ticket in 1896. He served one term from 1897 to 1899.
(1895-1897)
Henry Wulff
Henry Wulff was born in Germany in 1854 and immigrated with his family to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in 1863. He built his public career in Cook County, where he was elected Cook County Clerk and served from 1886 to 1894. A Republican from Cook County, Wulff was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1894 and served one term from 1895 to 1897. He died in Chicago in 1907.
(1894-1895)
Elijah P. Ramsay
Elijah P. Ramsay of Clinton County, Illinois, was the son of Treasurer Rufus N. Ramsay and served as deputy treasurer under his father. After Rufus Ramsay died in office on November 11, 1894, Governor John Peter Altgeld appointed Elijah Ramsay to complete the remainder of the term. He took office on November 14, 1894.
(1893-1894)
Rufus N. Ramsay
Rufus N. Ramsay was born in Clinton County, Illinois, in 1838. After studying law and gaining admission to the bar in 1865, he left legal practice for banking and became active in the business life of Carlyle, Clinton County, and Lebanon, St. Clair County. He was elected Clinton County Clerk in 1865 and later served two terms in the Illinois General Assembly.
A Democrat from Clinton County, Ramsay was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1892 and took office in 1893. He died in office the following year. After his death, a large shortage in Treasury funds was uncovered, later attributed to improper deposit arrangements with banks connected to his official bond. His son Elijah P. Ramsay was then appointed to complete the term.
(1891-1893)
Edward S. Wilson
Edward S. Wilson was born in Palestine, Crawford County, Illinois, in 1839. After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1861 and settled in Olney, Richland County, where he built his law practice. His career in law and public affairs made him a well-known figure in eastern Illinois. In 1890, Wilson was elected Illinois State Treasurer, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office since the beginning of the Civil War. He served one term, from 1891 to 1893.
(1889-1891)
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was born in Rockenhausen, Bavaria, in 1840 and came to the United States with his family in 1851, settling in Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois. He married Louisa Fleischbein in 1864, and together they raised a family in Belleville. Becker built a career in both public service and business in St. Clair County. He served two terms as Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds, led local industrial firms, and became chairman of the county Republican Party in 1884. He was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1888 and served from 1889 to 1891. He died in Belleville in 1908 and was buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery.
(1887-1889)
John Riley Tanner
John Riley Tanner was born in Indiana in 1844. When he was a boy, his family moved to the Carbondale area. At 19, Tanner enlisted in the Union Army with his three brothers and their father. The Tanner family suffered greatly during the war, losing Tanner’s father and two of his brothers. After the war ended, John became a farmer and businessman in Clay County. His involvement in public service increased: he was elected Sheriff of Clay County in 1870, became Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1872, and State Senator in 1880. By 1883, Tanner was appointed U.S. Marshall for the Southern District of Illinois, a federal position. Three years later, he ran for State Treasurer and won by large margins. Highly active in the Republican Party, he successfully ran for Governor in 1896. Tanner died shortly after finishing his term in office in 1901.
(1885-1887)
Jacob Gross
Jacob Gross was born in Germany in 1840 and immigrated to the United States in 1855, settling in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. There he attended school, learned the tinsmith trade, and later worked as a store clerk. During the Civil War, he served in the 82nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and fought in several major battles before being severely wounded in Georgia in 1864, resulting in the loss of his right leg.
After the war, Gross resumed his education and entered public service in Chicago and Cook County. He served as deputy clerk of the Police Court, later worked as a tax collector, and became Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He was elected Illinois State Treasurer in 1884 and served one term beginning on January 30, 1885. Afterward, he returned to business and banking in Chicago.
(1883-1885)
John C. Smith
John Corson Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1832. In 1854, he came west to Chicago to practice his trade of carpentry. He settled in Galena, where he married and started a family. In 1862 he volunteered for the Army with other volunteers from Galena and Jo Davies. He was chosen by these men to serve as their captain. Smith served valiantly in the war, participating in major battles in Tennessee, and later in Georgia, where he was injured at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He eventually earned the rank of Brigadier General through battlefield promotions. After the war he returned to Chicago to continue his business career. He was appointed to a number of boards and commissions, and even served as Chief Grain Inspector in Chicago. He was active in the Republican Party, being elected as delegate to two National conventions. He would be elected twice as State Treasurer, in 1878 and 1882. He was later elected Lieutenant Governor in 1884, he served in that position until 1889. Smith died in 1910.
(1881-1883)
Edward Rutz
Edward Rutz was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1829 and immigrated to the United States in 1847, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois. After traveling widely in the West, he joined the Union Army in 1861 and fought in several major Civil War battles, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was honorably discharged in 1864 because of disability.
Returning to St. Clair County after the war, Rutz built a career in local government and public service. He served as county surveyor and later held multiple terms as county treasurer. A Republican from St. Clair County, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer three times, serving nonconsecutive terms from 1873 to 1875, 1877 to 1879, and 1881 to 1883. He died in California in 1905.
(1879-1881)
John C. Smith
John Corson Smith was born in Philadelphia in 1832. In 1854, he came west to Chicago to practice his carpentry trade. He settled in Galena, where he married and started a family. In 1862, he volunteered for the Army with other volunteers from Galena and Jo Davies. He was chosen by these men to serve as their captain. Smith served valiantly in the war, participating in major battles in Tennessee and later in Georgia, where he was injured at Kennesaw Mountain. He eventually earned the rank of Brigadier General through battlefield promotions. After the war, he returned to Chicago to continue his business career. He was appointed to several boards and commissions and even served as Chief Grain Inspector in Chicago. He was active in the Republican Party, being elected as a delegate to two National conventions. He would be elected twice as State Treasurer, in 1878 and 1882. He was later elected Lieutenant Governor in 1884 and served until 1889. Smith died in 1910.
(1875-1877)
Thomas S. Ridgway
Thomas Shannon Ridgway was born on August 30, 1826, in White County, Illinois. He was elected State Treasurer from 1874 to 1877. He was president of the First National Bank until his death in 1897. He died on November 18, 1897, in Shawneetown, Gallatin County, Illinois.
(1873-1875)
Edward Rutz
Edward Rutz was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1829 and immigrated to the United States in 1847, settling in St. Clair County, Illinois. After traveling widely in the West, he joined the Union Army in 1861 and fought in several major Civil War battles, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was honorably discharged in 1864 because of disability. Returning to St. Clair County after the war, Rutz built a career in local government and public service. He served as county surveyor and later held multiple terms as county treasurer. A Republican from St. Clair County, he was elected Illinois State Treasurer three times, serving nonconsecutive terms from 1873 to 1875, 1877 to 1879, and 1881 to 1883. He died in California in 1905.
(1869-1873)
Erastus N. Bates
Erastus Bates, born in Massachusetts in 1829, studied law in New York City before eventually traveling to Minnesota. He became active in civic life there, serving as a delegate to the State’s Constitutional Convention of 1856 and being elected to the Minnesota State Senate in 1857. By 1859, he had moved to Centralia and begun practicing law. When hostilities between the States erupted, Bates volunteered for service and received a commission as a Major in the 80th Illinois Volunteers. Rising through the ranks to Brigadier General, he was later captured and spent time as a Confederate prisoner of war. After hostilities ceased, Bates returned to Centralia to resume his law practice. He was elected to the General Assembly in 1866 and later became State Treasurer in 1868. Thanks to a new constitutional amendment that removed the prohibition against consecutive terms for Treasurers, Bates became the first State Treasurer to be re-elected by the people. He died in Minnesota in 1898.
(1863-1865)
Alexander Starne
Alexander Starne was born in Philadelphia in 1813 and settled in Pike County in 1836. He served as County Commissioner and was elected to the General Assembly. In 1852, he was elected as Secretary of State. After he completed his term, he became President of the Hannibal and Naples Railroad. In 1862, he was elected as State Treasurer. He served a single term as Treasurer. He would later be elected to the State Senate. He died in Springfield in 1886.
(1859-1863)
William Butler
William Butler was born in Kentucky in 1797. As a young man, he served as a messenger for the Governor of Kentucky during the War of 1812. After the war, in 1828, he moved to the Springfield area. Eight years later, in 1836, he was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Courts. Later, Butler distinguished himself during an investigation into corruption allegations against a previous Governor. In 1859, Governor Bissell appointed him to fill the vacancy left by Treasurer Miller. Throughout his many years in Springfield, Butler was an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln and reportedly let Lincoln live with him rent-free while Lincoln was a state legislator. Butler died in Springfield in 1876, and Camp Butler National Cemetery, located near Springfield, is named in his honor.
(1857-1859)
James Miller
James Miller was born in Virginia in 1795. When he was 16, his family moved to Kentucky, where he was elected County Sheriff four years later. However, Miller became disenchanted with slavery and, as a result, decided to leave the slave state of Kentucky for Illinois in 1835. Once in Illinois, he established himself as a successful merchant and, in 1856, was elected State Treasurer. However, in 1859, rumors and innuendos concerning charges of defalcation caused Miller to resign. To address these concerns, Miller published a full accounting of his office and his resignation, and there is no evidence of any malfeasance today. Throughout his life, Miller was a devoted member of the Methodist Church and remained active until he died in 1872.
(1848-1857)
John Moore
John Moore was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1793. He immigrated to America in 1830 and settled in Bloomington. Moore earned the nickname “Honest John” and was elected to the legislature in 1838. Moore recruited volunteers from Illinois to fight in the Mexican-American War and served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the conflict. He would serve as Lieutenant Governor and was later selected by the legislature to fill the remainder of Milton Carpenter’s term. In 1850, Moore became the first Illinois State Treasurer to be voted into office by the electorate.
(1841-1848)
Milton Carpenter
Milton Carpenter was born in Kentucky and moved with his family to Illinois as a young boy. After serving in the Blackhawk War, he was elected to the General Assembly. He was elected by the legislature to fill the post in 1841 and served in that position until he died in office in 1848.
(1837-1841)
John D. Whiteside
John D. Whiteside was a member of the prominent Whiteside family, for which the Illinois County is named. He served as both a State Representative and a State Senator before becoming State Treasurer. In addition to his political career, Whiteside played a small role in the so-called Lincoln-Shields Duel, in which the Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts, James Shields, took offense from a sarcastic letter to the editor written by Lincoln. At that time, Whiteside was to serve as Shield’s second; however, a non-violent solution was reached, and the duel did not take place. Whiteside died in 1850.
(1836-1837)
Charles Gregory
Charles Gregory fulfilled the remainder of the term for the Treasurer’s office that was vacated by Treasurer Dement. Treasurers were required to post a bond as a qualification for office, and the bond Gregory posted lists a young State Representative, Abraham Lincoln, as one of its guarantors.
(1831-1836)
John Dement
John Dement was born in Tennessee in 1804. He was elected Sheriff of Franklin County in 1826 and also served as State Representative from 1829 to 1831. He served in the Blackhawk War with distinction. He was elected by the legislature to the office of Treasurer in 1831 and served until 1836, when he returned to the legislature to oppose moving the State Capitol to Springfield. He was a delegate to three state constitutional conventions. President Van Buren appointed him to the Federal position of Receiver of Public Moneys in 1837. He served for four years until President Taylor declined to reappoint him, and four years after that, he was reappointed by President Pierce until that office was abolished. Dement passed away in 1883. His son, Henry Dement, would go on to serve two terms as Illinois’ Secretary of State from 1880 to 1888.
(1827-1831)
James Hall
James Hall, born in 1973 in Philadelphia, was a soldier in the War of 1812, a lawyer and circuit judge, a newspaper and magazine editor, state treasurer of Illinois, a banker in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a writer of history and fiction. He died in 1868.
(1837-1841)
Abner Field
Abner Field was born in Kentucky. He served as Illinois Treasurer from 1823 until 1827. Field owned slaves, who he freed in 1830. He died in Galena in 1832.
(1819-1823)
R.K. McLaughlin
R.K. McLaughlin was Born in Virginia in 1779. He moved from Virginia to Kentucky at an early age, settling later in Belville in 1815. McLaughlin served in the War of 1812. After the war, he was a clerk in the territorial legislature. Governor Bond appointed McLaughlin to replace John Thomas. McLaughlin later served as both a State Representative and State Senator from the Vandalia area. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor against his nephew, Joseph Duncan, in 1834. He died in Vandalia in 1862.
(1812-1819)
John Thomas
Very little is known about John Thomas. Thomas was appointed to the position of Treasurer of the Illinois Territory in 1812 and served as the State’s first Treasurer for one year from 1818 until he died in office in 1819. Thomas was a lawyer from St. Clair County and was a delegate to the State’s first Constitutional Convention.
(1796-1803)
John Armstrong
John Armstrong was appointed to the post of Treasurer of the Northwest Territory by the U.S. Congress in 1796. Born in New Jersey, Armstrong served as an officer in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. He would serve in the U.S. Army in campaigns against Native American forces in 1790. He served as Treasurer of the Northwest Territory for seven years, and later as judge in the newly formed State of Ohio.