John Creswell, U.S. Senator, U.S. Postmaster General

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Creswell

John Angel James Creswell (November 18, 1828 – December 23, 1891) was an American politician from Maryland, who served as United States Representative, United States Senator, and as Postmaster General of the United States appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant. Creswell is considered to be one of the ablest, if not the best, Postmaster General in United States history. Creswell modernized the U.S. Postal system to adapt to an expanding demand for increased postal routes throughout the Western states and remain competitive worldwide. Sweeping and constructive reforms of the United States Postal System took place during Creswell's tenure, including securing fair competition among Star Route carriages, and the abolishment of the franking system. Creswell developed a codified classification system of offenses against postal laws. Creswell streamlined and reduced postal costs making the United States Postal System run efficiently creating a fair pricing system domestically, and reducing international mailing prices. Creswell developed and implemented the United States first penny postcard.

After attending a local academy, Creswell graduated from Dickinson College in 1848 and passed the bar in 1850. A former Whig, Creswell joined the Democratic Party and supported James Buchanan for President. When the Civil War broke in 1861, Creswell remained loyal to the Union and supported Abraham Lincoln. Having joined the Radical Republicans Creswell supported the end of slavery and the civil rights of African Americans. In 1861, Creswell was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and served until 1862; having helped kept the state from joining the Confederacy. In 1862 Creswell was elected U.S. Representative; having served from 1863 to 1865. Creswell was elected U.S. Senator in 1864 and served from 1865 to 1867. In 1868 Creswell supported Ulysses S. Grant for President. In 1869, President Grant appointed the "gifted and debonair" Creswell as Postmaster General. His appointment by Grant was very popular in Maryland whose citizens considered themselves part of the South. Having retired as Postmaster, Creswell was appointed by President Grant as an Alabama Claims Commissioner, having served from 1874 to 1876. Creswell returned to private law practice and worked in the banking industry.