Elmer Washburn

Elmer Washburn was the 3rd Director of the United States Secret Service.

Washburn was born a member of the Washburn family.

Washburn served as warden of the Joliet Penitentiary.

Washburn served as superintendent of the Chicago Police Department under mayor Joseph Medill.

Washburn served as head of the United States Secret Service under president Ulysses S. Grant from 1874 to 1876.

Washburn took office on October 1, 1874.

Washburn helped thwart the attempted theft of Abraham Lincoln's corpse.

Washburn unsuccessfully ran in the 1891 Chicago mayoral election, in which he placed fourth and was defeated by his cousin once-removed Hempstead Washburne.