John Willock Noble

John Willock Noble
18th United States Secretary of the Interior
In office
March 7, 1889 – March 6, 1893
President Benjamin Harrison
Preceded by William Freeman Vilas
Succeeded by M. Hoke Smith
Personal details
Born October 26, 1831(1831-10-26)
Lancaster, Ohio, U.S.
Died March 22, 1912(1912-03-22) (aged 80)
U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Lizabeth Halsted Noble
Alma mater Miami University
Yale University
Profession Politician, Lawyer

John Willock Noble (October 26, 1831 – March 22, 1912) was a U.S. lawyer and brevet general in the Civil War. He served as the Secretary of the Interior between 1889 and 1893.

Noble was born in Lancaster, Ohio and attended Miami University. In 1851, he graduated from Yale University with honors. After service in the Civil War, he became U.S. Attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He served as Secretary of the Interior throughout the entire Benjamin Harrison administration. Under his watch as Secretary of the Interior, the Cherokee Commission negotiated eleven agreements that removed nineteen indigenous tribes to small allotments in the Oklahoma Territory, while opening the land to homesteaders.[1]He later practiced law in St. Louis and died there in 1912.

The "General Noble" Giant Sequoia was named for this Secretary of the Interior.[2]

References

  1. ^ {cite book|last=Hagan|first=William T.|title=Taking Indian Lands: The Cherokee (Jerome) Commission, 1889-1893|year=2003|pages=13, 18, 19, 20, 38, 182, 223, 235 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0806135137}}
  2. ^ http://www.niagaramuseum.com/redwood_art_unique.htm
Political offices
Preceded by
William Freeman Vilas
United States Secretary of the Interior
Served under: Benjamin Harrison

1889–1893
Succeeded by
Michael Hoke Smith