Edwin D. Morgan

Edwin D. Morgan

Edwin Denison Morgan (born February 8, 1811 in Washington , Berkshire County , Massachusetts , †  February 14, 1883 in New York City ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New York from 1859 to 1863 . From 1863 to 1869 he represented his state in the US Senate .

Early years and political advancement

In 1822, Edwin Morgan moved to Connecticut with his parents . There he attended public schools and the Bacon Academy . From 1828 the family lived in Hartford . There Edwin Morgan became a successful businessman as a broker and in banking. He held his first political office in 1832 on the Hartford City Council. After moving to New York City again in 1836, he was also elected to the city council in 1849. He continued his business career in his new home as well. Now he was also working in retail. From 1850 to 1855 Edwin Morgan was a member of the New York Senate , and from 1855 to 1858 he was the head of the State Commissioner of Immigration . Morgan became a member of the newly formed Republican Party and from 1856 to 1864 first chairman of the Republican National Committee .

Governor and US Senator

On November 2, 1858, Edwin Morgan was elected the new governor of his state. After being re-elected in 1860, he was able to exercise this office between January 1, 1859 and January 1, 1863. During his tenure, the state's waterways were expanded and Vassar College was established. His second term in office was overshadowed by the events of the civil war. The governor supported the war effort of the federal government under President Abraham Lincoln . Back then, young men had to be patterned and made available to the army. The state's production was also converted to armaments. Governor Morgan himself held the rank of major general of the Union Army in addition to the office of governor . He was in command of the New York Military District.

After the end of his governorship, Morgan completed a term as senator in the US Congress . He held this mandate as the successor to Preston King between March 4, 1863 and March 3, 1869. During this time he was chairman of the Committee on the Library . The narrowly failed impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson also fell during this period . In 1868, Morgan was not confirmed in office. His seat went to Reuben Fenton , who was also previously governor of New York.

Another résumé

Between 1872 and 1876 Morgan was again chairman of the Republican National Committee. In 1876 he ran unsuccessfully for a new term as governor of New York. In 1881 he turned down an offer from President Chester A. Arthur to appoint him Treasury Secretary. Edwin Morgan died two years later in New York and was buried in Hartford. He had five children with his wife, Matilda Waterman. Edwin Morgan was the cousin of Morgan G. Bulkeley , who was Connecticut Governor from 1889 to 1893.

Web links

• Edwin D. Morgan in the National Governors Association (English)
• Edwin D. Morgan in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Edwin D. Morgan in the database of Find a Grave (English)