Edwin D. Morgan
Encyclopedia
Edwin Denison Morgan 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
.
on February 8, 1811. 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.
He was an alderman
, member of the New York State Senate
from 1850 to 1853, and State Commissioner of Immigration.
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.
He was Governor of New York from 1859 to 1862, elected in 1858 and 1860. 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.
Known for generous contributions to charities and causes, he contributed large sums to the Union Theological Seminary
.
Edwin Morgan was a cousin of Morgan G. Bulkeley
, Governor of Connecticut
1889-1893.
Morgan died in New York City
on February 14, 1883. He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from 1863 to 1869. He was the first and longest-serving chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
. He was also a Union Army general during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Morgan was born in Washington, MassachusettsWashington, Massachusetts
Washington is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 538 at the 2010 census.- History :...
on February 8, 1811. He began his business career as a grocer in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. He became a partner with his uncle and served on the city council. In 1836, he removed to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and became a successful wholesaler, broker and banker.
He was an alderman
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
, member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1850 to 1853, and State Commissioner of Immigration.
Morgan became highly influential in Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politics of his time and twice served as chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, 1856 to 1864 and 1872 to 1876.
He was Governor of New York from 1859 to 1862, elected in 1858 and 1860. In February 1863
United States Senate election in New York, 1863
The 1863 United States Senate election in New York was held on February 3, 1863, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.-Background:...
, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, and served one term until 1869. In January 1869
United States Senate election in New York, 1869
The 1869 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19, 1869, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.-Background:Republican Edwin D...
, 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
Lucius Robinson
Lucius Robinson was an American lawyer and politician. He was the 26th Governor of New York from 1877 to 1879.-Life:...
.
In 1881, Morgan was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
as Treasury Secretary
United States Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
and was confirmed by the Senate, but declined the position.
Known for generous contributions to charities and causes, he contributed large sums to the Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
.
Edwin Morgan was a cousin of Morgan G. Bulkeley
Morgan G. Bulkeley
Morgan Gardner Bulkeley was an American politician as well as business and sports executive. Bulkeley, a Republican, served in the American Civil War, was a Hartford city councilman and bank president, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the first president of the National...
, Governor of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
1889-1893.
Morgan died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on February 14, 1883. He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals