George Trenholm

George Trenholm
Confederate States Secretary of the Treasury
In office
July 18, 1864 – April 27, 1865
PresidentJefferson Davis
Preceded byChristopher Memminger
Succeeded byJohn Reagan (Acting)
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the Charleston district
In office
1852–1856
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the Charleston district
In office
1860–1863
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the Charleston district
In office
1874–1876
Personal details
Born(1807-02-25)February 25, 1807
Charleston, South Carolina, US
DiedDecember 9, 1876(1876-12-09) (aged 69)
Charleston, South Carolina, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAnna Helen Holmes

George Alfred Trenholm (February 25, 1807 – December 9, 1876) was a South Carolina businessman, financier, politician, and slaveholding planter who owned several plantations and strongly supported the Confederate States of America. He was appointed as its Secretary of the Treasury during the final year of the American Civil War.[1][2]

His merchant firm was estimated to have made $9 million by blockade running with its 60 ships during the war. Although he was imprisoned briefly after the war and suffered economic setbacks, Trenholm prospered. In the postwar years, Trenholm was a prominent philanthropist, aiding black and white South Carolinians. He also served on railroad and bank boards. He was elected to state office again in 1874 and died in office.

He was one of the few Confederate cabinet members who returned to political office [now in the United States] after the Civil War.

  1. ^ Downey, "George Alfred Trenholm", South Carolina Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Appleton's Cyclopedia, vol. VI, p 159

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