Edwin D. Morgan

For the American businessman, see Edwin D. Morgan (businessman).
Edwin Denison Morgan
United States Senator
from New York
In office
March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by Preston King
Succeeded by Reuben E. Fenton
21st Governor of New York
In office
January 1, 1859 – December 31, 1862
Lieutenant Robert Campbell
Preceded by John Alsop King
Succeeded by Horatio Seymour
1st Chairman of the Republican National Committee
In office
1856–1864
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Henry J. Raymond
5th Chairman of the Republican National Committee
In office
1872–1876
Preceded by William Claflin
Succeeded by Zachariah Chandler
Member of the New York Senate
from the 6th district
In office
January 1, 1850 – December 31, 1853
Preceded by William Samuel Johnson
Succeeded by Erastus Brooks
Personal details
Born (1811-02-08)February 8, 1811
Washington, Massachusetts
Died February 14, 1883(1883-02-14) (aged 72)
New York City, New York
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Eliza Matilda Waterman (c–1883; his death)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861 - 1863
Rank Major General
Commands Department of New York
Battles/wars American Civil War

Edwin Denison Morgan (February 8, 1811 – February 14, 1883) was the 21st Governor of New York from 1859 to 1862 and served in the United States Senate from 1863 to 1869. He was the first and longest-serving chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was also a Union Army general during the American Civil War.

Early life

Morgan was born in Washington, Massachusetts on February 8, 1811 to Jasper and Catherine Morgan. The family moved to Windsor, Connecticut, where Morgan received his early education.[1] Edwin Morgan was a cousin of Morgan G. Bulkeley, the Governor of Connecticut from 1889 to 1893.

Career

He began his business career as a grocer in Hartford, Connecticut. He became a partner with his uncle and served on the city council. In 1836, he removed to New York City and became a successful wholesaler, broker and banker.

In 1843, Morgan organized E.D. Morgan & Company, an import house, in partnership with George D. Morgan, his cousin, and Frederick Avery, who left the firm a year later and was replaced by J.T. Terry. Solon Humphreys was taken in as a full partner in 1854 after working several years as an agent in St. Louis, Missouri. Largely through his connections, the firm became the principal agent for Missouri securities. Nearly two-thirds of the bonds issued by the State of Missouri from 1835-1860, plus a large share of securities of St. Louis, were sold through the house of Morgan - in all perhaps thirty million dollars worth. All the while the firm maintained its wholesale grocery trade.[1]

Political career

Gubernatorial portrait of New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan.

In 1849, Morgan was elected as a member of the New York City Board of Assistant Aldermen. He made a name for himself as chairman of the Sanitary Committee during the cholera epidemic of 1848.[1] He was also a member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853, and State Commissioner of Immigration.[2]

Morgan became highly influential in Republican politics of his time and twice served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, 1856 to 1864 and 1872 to 1876.[2]

From 1859 until 1862, he served as Governor of New York, elected in 1858 and 1860. He was appointed major general of volunteers in September 1861 and commanded the Department of New York until he resigned on January 3, 1863, serving simultaneously as governor and head of the military department.[3]

In February 1863, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, and served one term until 1869. In January 1869, he sought re-nomination, but was voted down by the Republican caucus of State legislators who instead nominated Ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton. In 1876, Morgan ran again for Governor but was defeated by Democrat Lucius Robinson.

In 1881, Morgan was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur as Treasury Secretary and was confirmed by the Senate, but declined the position.[4]:255

Personal life

In 1833, he married Eliza Matilda Waterman (b. 1810), daughter of Henry Waterman (1782–1854). Together, they had:

Known for generous contributions to charities and causes, he contributed large sums to the Union Theological Seminary.

Morgan died in New York City on February 14, 1883.[3] He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.[3][5]

Descendants

His 2x great-grandson was Edwin D. Morgan (1921–2001), businessman and Pioneer Fund director from 2000-2001.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Edwin D. Morgan Papers, 1833-1883 (finding aid)". New York State Library Website. New York State Library. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 Reeves, Thomas C. (1975). Gentleman Boss. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 19. ISBN 0-394-46095-2.
  3. 1 2 3 Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3. p. 397
  4. ↑ Reeves, Thomas C. (1975). Gentleman Boss. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-394-46095-2.
  5. ↑ Edwin Denison Morgan, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  6. ↑ "The Founders". Retrieved 6 November 2012.

References

New York State Senate
Preceded by
William Samuel Johnson		 New York State Senate
6th District
1850–1853 		Succeeded by
Erastus Brooks
Political offices
Preceded by
John A. King		 Governor of New York
1859–1862 		Succeeded by
Horatio Seymour
Preceded by
Preston King		 U.S. Senator (Class 1) from New York
1863–1869
Served alongside: Ira Harris and Roscoe Conkling		 Succeeded by
Reuben E. Fenton
Party political offices
New title Chairman of the Republican National Committee
1856–1864 		Succeeded by
Henry Jarvis Raymond
New title Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee
1856–1858 		Succeeded by
James Kelly
Preceded by
William Claflin		 Chairman of the Republican National Committee
1872–1876 		Succeeded by
Zachariah Chandler
Preceded by
Alonzo B. Cornell		 Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee
1874–1875 		Succeeded by
Alonzo B. Cornell
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/8/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.