Joseph E. Ralph(1863–1922) was an official in theUnited States Department of the Treasurywho wasDirector of the Bureau of Engraving and Printingfrom 1908 to 1917.
Biography
editJoseph E. Ralph was born inPennsylvaniain 1863.[1]He was raised inJoliet, Illinois.[1]
After school, Ralph apprenticed in a steel works machine shop, ultimately becoming an expert mechanic.[1]He was active in union and political activities.[1]By these connections, he became AssistantPostmaster of the United States House of Representatives.[1]He was later Superintendent of Construction atEllis Island.[1]He worked for theUnited States Customs Serviceas Deputy Collector at theWorld's Columbian ExpositioninChicagoin 1893.[1]
Ralph joined theBureau of Engraving and Printingin 1895 as a plate cleaner.[1]In 1897, he became Custodian of Dies and Rolls.[1]He was made Assistant Director of the Bureau in 1906.[1]Upon the sudden death ofThomas J. Sullivanin 1908, Ralph replaced Sullivan asDirector of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.[1]He resigned from the Bureau in 1917.[1]
After leaving government service, Ralph headed a banknote company.[1]He later became assistant to the president ofU.S. Steel.[1]
Ralph died suddenly in 1922 at age 59.[1]