The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Hitchcock, Ethan Allen (politician)

HITCHCOCK, Ethan Allen, American politician: b. Mobile, Ala., 19 Sept. 1835; d. Washington. D. C., 9 April 1909. Was in mercantile business at Saint Louis, Mo., 1855-60, then went to China to enter a commission house, of which firm he became a partner in 1866. In 1872 he retired from business, in 1874 returned to the United States, and in 1874-97 was president of several manufacturing, mining and railway companies. He was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia in 1897 and in February 1898 Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, the first Ambassador accredited from the United States to the court of Russia. In 1898 he was nominated and confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, and held that position till 4 March 1907.