ROOT, Elihu [1845-1937] -- American statesman

Son of Oren and Nancy Whitney (Buttrick) Root, and brother of Oren Root. He attended the common schools; was graduated from Hamilton college in 1804; assisted his brother Oren, who was principal of the academy at Rome, N.Y., in 1865; was graduated from the law department of the University of the City of New York in 1867; was admitted to the bar, and practised in New York city, first in partnership with John H. Strahan and later with Judge Willard Bartlett. He was married, Jan. 8, 1878, to Clara, daughter of Salem H. Wales of New York city.

He was by appointment of President Arthur, U.S. attorney of the southern district of New York, 1883-85; was a member of the county committee; chairman of the Republican county committee, 1886-87, and delegate at large to the state constitutional convention of 1894, being chairman of its judiciary committee. He was employed as counsel for William M. Tweed on the exposure of the "Tweed ring" frauds; for Judge Hilton in the Stewart will cases, and for the Sugar trust and various political litigations. He was appointed secretary of war by President McKinley, Aug. 1, 1899, as successor to Russell A. Alger, and was re-appointed, March 5, 1901, being continued in the office till he resigned in 1903. He was U.S. secretary of state (1905-1909) under Roosevelt.

He was made a member of the executive committee of the Carnegie Institution, Washington, D.C.,in 1902. The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by Hamilton college in 1894, and by Yale in 1900. BDNA  
 

• Brother: ¤ROOT, Oren [1838-1907] American educator, D.D.