The Washington herald., 1908-07-24
JAMBSF. MELINBDEAD
Many Years Assistant United
States Treasurer.
HAD LONG CIVIL WAR RECORD
Was Native of Ohio, and Had
Served Nation rs a SOIdier-Iu but
SIOnth-His Death Results from
Stomach Trouble when Unex-
pected by His Numerous Friends.

James FIorant MeIine. Assistant Treas
urer CT the United States. died yesterday
afternoon at his home. 21u Q street
northwest. from complication OF dis
eases
Mr.. Zeline had been III but a month,
and his death was unexpected He had
suffered for years from stomach and
kidney trouble. but it was only within the
past month that he was compelled TO re
Iilqulsh his duties at the Treasury and
remain at home
James Florant AIeline was born on .
farm near Hamilton. Butler County.
Ohio. June 3 1s41- He was the son Of
F-lorant AIacom5 8IeIine. for many years
employed in the Treasury Department,
and Ellen " Riley. both Of PennsyI-
vania- When quite a small child the fam
ily moved 10 St Louis. No. where the
elder 8IeIIns held q confidential. position
with large commercial house. he re
Ceived his early education in the school
OF the Christian Brothers Of ST. Louis. but
when he was about ten years old the
family moved 20 Cincinnati. where his
father engaged in business. and where
he attended school He finished his edU-
cation IN St Xavier's College and Mount
s.. Mary's College OF the East. near En-
mitsburg. Nd
Ancestors Were Soldiers.
HIS paternaI grandfather was an officer
il the French army. who. at the begin
ming OF the war OF lsI2. profered his serv-
ices 10 the United States His offer was
accepted and he was commissioned a
IieGteEant in the Eighth United States
Infantry. He served in this regiment until
after the close Of the war
At the outbreak OF the civil war. Treas
urer 0IeI,ne enlisted in the Sixth Regi-
ueaJ. Ohio Infantry. as a private. He
served with that regiment until June.
1854 He served with his regiment under
Mcclellan IN 1861. in the Army OF Ohio
under Buell., Army OF Cumberland under
R0ssc1ans. and with Grant and Sherman
IN the Chattanooga, East Tennessee. and
Atlanta campaigns until June, 1854. when
the term of enlistment Of the regiment
expired He was promoted for gallant
and faithful service from a private on Up
through the 0oncouuissioned ranks 70 g
first lieutenant and when discharged he
received q meriJorioUs certificate While
he was in the service, his father moved
the family 10 Washington. and lie went
into the Treasury Department as . clerk
After Lieut. Neliae was mustered out
Of the service. he came 10 Washington
and went IN the Treasury, with his father.
he remained there two months. when
the marital spirit again overcane him
and he returned 20 the army. He went
n the United States Veteran Infantry
(Hencocks Corps as g captain OF volun-
teSrs. and was assigned 10 the Second
Regiment he served throughout the
remainder OF the war in Virginia in
July. 1Ss5, he was sent, with his com
pany, 10 Fort Porter for garrison duty
He remained there until March. ls5S.
when he was mustered out
Made Major by Brevet.
IN March he was given the brevet of a
major Of volunteers FOR faithful and
continued service" His service was
active. and he was wounded at be bat
tie Of Stone River, January . 1853 In
mediately after being mustered out Of
the service. in 1866 he accepted an ap-
poInJment IN the Treasury as a clerk
at $500 a year Gen Spinner. who was
then Treasurer, was an old friend OF
Maj. Meline's father. and formed q warm
liking for the young soldier.
he served IN various departments IN
der Gen Spinner. and IN $50 he was pro-
NOTED 10 assistant bOOkkeeper A year
later be was advanced a notch higher to
bOokkeeper. He held this important posi-
ton until ISL when he was advanced 70
the position OF chief clerk Of the Treas
{ 1r=a- =
another point, and was made teller. His
services 10 the United States were too
valuable for him 10 remain long in this
! position, and in less than a year he was
[ promoted TO assistant cashier
Authority on Finances.
While he was assistant cashier he had
+ charge OF various transfers and made ex-
animation Of sub-treasU-y Offices and
mints- During this time he gained quite
/ a reputation as an authority on treasury
/ finances
{ In 1893 his work attracted the attention
I Of President Cleveland. and the latter
/ nominated him for Assistant Treasurer
/ of the United States. The Senate quickly
confirmed the nomination and he en-
] tered upon his new duties.
I In 1SsS when war against Spain was
/ declared. the spirit Of 81 took possession
I Of him and he offered his services 10 tbs
! Secretary Of War. Mr.. Gage. who wa.
/ then Secretary OF the Treasury, told
7 Mai Meline that his services as a civil
/ ian official could not be spared. and ask
I ed him 10 rest on the martial laurels h
won in the civil war. so the fighting
! major consented TO remain IN the service
/ Of the Treasury Department
/ Mai. Meline was twice married HI.
I first wife was Belle J. Strickland. WHO
Z died Several years ago She was a de
/ sCendant Of Robert Fulton BY this
{ marriage he had three children. two oi
I whom are living. one son. z. n Meline
I Of New York. and a daughter. Mrs. J. c
/ Hyer. Of California
/ His second wife, who survives him
I was Catherine Livingston Perkins. 8 greai
/ granddaughter OF Daniel D. ThOmpkins
I Vice President, and Judge Smith Thomp-
]