Stephen Pleasonton: The Rest of His Story

In 1820, Stephen Pleasonton, the fifth auditor of the Treasury Department, was assigned responsibility for the management of the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment. In this role he became known as general superintendent of lights. Before coming to the Treasury Department, he served as a clerk in the State Department. As the treasury's fifth auditor, his responsibilities included settling the accounts of the State Department, the Post Office Department, and of Indian Affairs. During his thirty-two years in office, the lighthouse establishment grew from fifty-five lighthouses and a few buoys to more than three hundred lighthouses, forty-two lightships, and hundreds of lesser aids to navigation.