MacVeagh, Franklin, 1837-1934

Lawyer, businessman, and U.S. secretary of the treasury.

From the description of Franklin MacVeagh papers, 1799-1933 (bulk 1909-1913). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78802204

Biographical Note

• 1837, Nov. 22: Born near Phoenixville, Chester County, Pa.
• 1862: A.B., Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
• 1864: LL.B, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. Joined law firm of brother, Wayne MacVeagh, in New York
• 1866: Abandoned law practice because of ill health and moved to Chicago, Ill., where he became a member of Whitaker, Harmon and Co., wholesale grocers Married Emily Eames
• 1871: Business destroyed in fire in Chicago, Ill, and reestablished at a later date as Franklin MacVeagh & Company
• 1874: President, Chicago Citizens' Association, Chicago, Ill.
• 1880 - 1909 : Member, Board of Directors, Commercial National Bank of Chicago, Ill.
• 1885: Appointed government director of the Union Pacific Railroad by President Grover Cleveland
• 1894: Democratic Party nominee for United States Senate
• 1896: Joined the Republican Party
• 1909 - 1913 : Secretary of the treasury
• 1925: Resumed presidency of Franklin MacVeagh & Company; retired, 1931
• 1934, July 6: Died, Chicago, Ill.

From the guide to the Franklin MacVeagh Papers, 1799-1934, (bulk 1909-1913), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Born on November 22, 1837, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Franklin MacVeagh was a graduate of Yale College, 1862. MacVeagh received the degree of LL.B. from Columbia University in 1864. Poor health initially kept MacVeagh from establishing a permanent practice, but he was able to serve in the Pennsylvania Militia during the Civil War. Moving to Illinois, MacVeagh established the firm of Franklin MacVeagh & Company in 1866 and served as its president, almost continuously, until 1932. He died two years later in Chicago, Illinois.

Franklin MacVeagh was born on November 22, 1837, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. from Yale in 1862. MacVeagh studied at Columbia University Law School (1862-64) and received his LL.B. in 1864. Although selected valedictorian of his law school class, a breakdown in health prevented his appearance in that role.

MacVeagh joined with Charlton T. Lewis (Yale, 1853) to form Lewis & MacVeagh, a New York City law firm. Again poor health required his withdrawal from service. He served with the Pennsylvania Militia for a time during the Civil War.

After a respite in Minnesota to alleviate health problems MacVeagh settled in Chicago, Illinois. He established the firm of Franklin MacVeagh & Company, wholesale grocers, in 1866. MacVeagh served as president of the firm from 1866-1909 and 1915-1932. An active public life in Chicago included service as first president of the Citizens Association of Chicago (1874), president of the Chicago Bureau of Charities (1896-1904), vice-president of the Civil Service Reform League of Chicago (1884-85) and the American Civic Association (1905), trustee of the University of Chicago (1901-13), member of the executive committee of the National Civic Federation, and chairman of the First International Congress of Social Insurance (1914). In addition, MacVeagh was also involved with the Municipal Art League and the Chicago Yale Association (1881-82).

In 1894 MacVeagh was nominated by the Democratic State Convention of Illinois for the office of U. S. Senator, but he was defeated in the general election. By 1896 MacVeagh had joined the Republican Party and later served the nation as secretary of the treasury (1909-13) in the administration of President William Howard Taft.

MacVeagh married Emily Sherrill Eames on October 2, 1866. They had five children. Franklin MacVeagh died July 16, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois.

From the guide to the Franklin MacVeagh papers, 1861-1925, (Manuscripts and Archives)