Jesse M. Donaldson

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Jesse M. Donaldson
JesseMDonaldson.jpg
53rd United States Postmaster General
In office
December 16, 1947 – January 20, 1953
President Harry S. Truman
Preceded by Robert E. Hannegan
Succeeded by Arthur E. Summerfield
Personal details
Born August 17, 1885
Shelbyville, Illinois, United States
Died March 25, 1970 (aged 84)
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Resting place Forest Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Spouse(s) Nell Graybill Donaldson
Profession Politician, Civil servant
Religion Methodist

Jesse Monroe Donaldson (August 17, 1885 – March 25, 1970) was the first United States Postmaster General to have started his career as a letter carrier.[1]

Biography

Postmaster General Jesse M. Donaldson (left) at the President Truman's Oval Office to taking his new Freedom Stamps, (April 1950).

Donaldson was born in Shelbyville, Illinois. He was the son of merchant and local postmaster Moses Martin Donaldson, and his wife, Amanda Saletha Little. Donaldson was a Methodist and a Freemason. Donaldson married Nell Fern Graybill on August 14, 1911, with whom he had three children. Donaldson began his postal career in 1908, as the one of three mailmen for the Shelbyville, Illinois, then rose through the ranks of the Department.

He was appointed U.S. Postmaster General by President Harry S. Truman on December 16, 1947, following the resignation of Robert E. Hannegan. He served for the remainder from the Truman's administration until January 20, 1953. During this the period, he modernized the postal service and also announced the "3 cent Gold Star Mothers" stamp in recognition of the Sullivan brothers' and his mother.

Donaldson died in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 25, 1970. He was buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

References

  1. "Donaldson, Jesse Monroe", in Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch, 1774-1989, Robert Sobel, ed. (Greenwood Publishing Group, 1990) p108

External links

Political offices
Preceded by United States Postmaster General
Served under: Harry S. Truman

1947 – 1953
Succeeded by
Arthur E. Summerfield


<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>