Businessman, Soldier, Politician. He was the son of Tabasco brand pepper sauce inventor Edmund McIlhenny and after his father’s death in 1890, he oversaw the business operations with his mother. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he joined the First Volunteer Cavalry of the United States Army, the celebrated Rough Riders on May 19, 1898. Participating in the battles of Las Guasimas and San Juan Hill, Cuba, he was claimed to have saved Theodore Roosevelt from sniper’s bullet. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, of Troop E, by Roosevelt for gallantry in action, he was discharged on September 15, 1898. He and Theodore Roosevelt became life long friends. He entered politics, serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1900-1904 and the State Senate, 1904-1906. On November 30, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt, appointed him U.S. Civil Service Commissioner. He retained post under Taft and Wilson, was appointed president of U.S. Civil Service Commission, on June 12, 1913 and appointed financial advisor to Haiti during U.S. occupation on January 27, 1919. He resigned from public office on October 11, 1922 and retired in Washington, D.C. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)  Family links:  Parents:  Edmund McIlhenny (1815 – 1890)  Mary Eliza Avery McIlhenny (1838 – 1915)  Spouse:  Anita Stauffer McIlhenny (1886 – 1969)*  Children:  John Stauffer McIlhenny (1909 – 1997)*  Walter Stauffer McIlhenny (1910 – 1985)*  Siblings:  Sara Avery McIlhenny (1860 – 1948)*  Dudley Avery McIlhenny (1861 – 1862)*  Edmund McIlhenny (1865 – 1865)*  John Avery McIlhenny (1867 – 1942)  Mary Avery McIlhenny Bradford (1869 – 1954)*  Edward Avery McIlhenny (1872 – 1949)*  Rufus Avery McIlhenny (1876 – 1940)*  Paul Avery McIlhenny (1877 – 1962)* *Calculated relationship