Andrew William Mellon ( March 24 1855 -- August 27 1937 ) was an American banker who also owned many industrial businesses . He was the Secretary of the Treasury from March 4 1921 until February 12 1932 . Andrew William Mellon ( March 24 , 1855 -- August 26 , 1937 ) was an American banker , industrialist , philanthropist , art collector and Secretary of the Treasury from March 4 , 1921 until February 12 , 1932 .