Samuel Merrill

Samuel Merrill (born August 7, 1822 in Turner , Androscoggin County , Maine , † August 31, 1899 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American politician ( Republican Party ) and from 1868 to 1872 the 7th governor of the state of Iowa .

Early years

Samuel Merrill attended local schools in his home in Maine. After that he wanted to become a teacher himself. So he moved south, where his views on the abolition of slavery met with strong opposition. He then started trading with his brother in Tamworth , New Hampshire, in 1847 . Together they ran a company. In 1856, Merrill moved to McGregor , where he opened a branch of the company.

Political rise

Merrill was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives as early as 1854 . Merrill was also politically active in his new home. In 1859 he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. During the American Civil War , he rose to the rank of Colonel in the Union Army . After being wounded several times, he had to give up military service in the summer of 1864. Thereafter, Merrill became president of the First National Bank of McGregor . In 1867 he was elected the new governor of his state.

Governor of Iowa

Samuel Merrill took up his new office on January 16, 1868. After re-election in 1869, he was able to remain in office until January 11, 1872. During this time, the railroad construction in Iowa was driven forward and the laws regulating the insurance system were revised and the plans for a new building of the parliament building were drafted.

Another résumé

After the end of his tenure, Merrill withdrew from politics. He returned to his private affairs and became president of the Citizens National Bank of Des Moines . In August 1899 he suffered a stroke in Los Angeles, of which he died a few days later. He was buried in Des Moines . Samuel Merritt was married three times and had a total of four children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Samuel Merrill in the National Governor Association (English)
• Samuel Merrill in the database of Find a Grave (English)