Charles Mason

Who is he, you might ask?  Nobody, really.  At least, nobody particularly famous for his own achievements.

However, he is notable as being the first ranked student of his class at West Point, ahead of a very famous Civil War general named Robert E. Lee.

"Mason and Lee were tied for the head of the class in Artillery, Tactics, and Conduct, but Mason bested Lee in all other subjects and graduated with an overall score of 1995.5 points out of a possible 2000, compared to Lee's 1966.5."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Mason_(attorney)