Gideon Welles

Date of Birth: July 1, 1802

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: February 11, 1878

Biography

Gideon Welles was an American journalist and politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869 under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Welles initially pursued a career in journalism and politics. He was a founder of the Hartford Times and later became involved in state politics, serving in various capacities including as the State Comptroller of Connecticut. Welles was a key figure during the American Civil War, where his leadership and strategic initiatives significantly contributed to the Union’s naval supremacy. He was instrumental in blockading Confederate ports and supporting riverine operations, which were crucial to the Union’s victory. Known for his administrative acumen and innovative thinking, Welles implemented reforms that modernized the Navy and improved its efficiency. After his tenure as Secretary of the Navy, Welles retired from public service but continued to write and comment on political affairs until his death in 1878.

5 Interesting Facts about Gideon Welles

1. Gideon Welles was a founder of the Hartford Times, one of Connecticut’s prominent newspapers.

2. He was initially a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party due to his anti-slavery stance.

3. Welles played a critical role in the Union’s naval strategy during the American Civil War, including the establishment of the naval blockade that crippled the Confederacy.

4. He oversaw the expansion of the U.S. Navy from a small peacetime force to a large and effective wartime fleet.

5. Welles kept detailed diaries during his time as Secretary of the Navy, providing valuable historical insights into the Lincoln administration and the Civil War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gideon Welles

1. “The heart of the rebellion is the slave power. Break that, and the rebellion will perish.”

2. “A navy is essentially and necessarily a defensive force, but it must be a force capable of offense.”

3. “The question is not so much how to win the war, but how to make it impossible for the enemy to continue fighting.”

4. “In great national crises, there are no men whose services are more valuable than those of the navigator.”

5. “Our cause is just, and I, for one, do not fear the result.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gideon Welles did not accumulate significant personal wealth; his focus was primarily on public service and journalism. His net worth is not well-documented but it is generally considered modest by modern standards.

Children

Gideon Welles had six children with his wife, Mary Jane Hale. Their children included: 1. Hubert Welles 2. John Arthur Welles 3. Mary Jane Welles 4. Thomas G. Welles 5. Edgar Thaddeus Welles 6. Anna Welles