Background
J.B. Henry was the son of Harriet Buchanan (1802-1840) and the Reverend Robert Henry.
assistant lawyer president secretary writer
J.B. Henry was the son of Harriet Buchanan (1802-1840) and the Reverend Robert Henry.
He was the first man to officially hold this office being paid by the Government. He held this position for two years. At age seven, Henry was adopted by James Buchanan and raised as his ward.
In 1851 he sent Henry to study law in Philadelphia with John Cadwalader. Upon taking the position of secretary to the President, he became the first to be recognized and paid by Congress. Prior to this, each President paid the wages for private secretaries out of his own pocket.
Some of his duties included drawing the Presidents salary and paying all of the bills. His post was in the office of the southeast corner room, second floor. He served there between the years 1857 to 1859.
After leaving the White House, he practiced law in New York City, where he served as Assistant United States District Attorney.