Biography:

Matthew Quay was a Republican senator and influential Pennsylvania politician.  He was born on September 30, 1833 in Pennsylvania and studied law.  He fought in the Civil War and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  He began his political career after the Civil War when he became an ally of Simon Cameron, a powerful party boss.   From 1867 to 1921 he led the state political machine, and his power and influence was so great that President Benjamin Harrison called him the “kingmaker.”  Quay served in the US Senate from 1887 to 1904 and, in 1888, became the Republican Party Chairman.  He died on May 28, 1904.