Anson Morrill

Anson Peaslee Morrill ( born June 10, 1803 in Belgrade, Kennebec County, Massachusetts, † July 4, 1887 in Augusta, Maine ) was an American politician and 1855-1856 Governor of the State of Maine.

Early years

Born in present-day Maine Anson Morrill attended the local schools of his home. After he earned his living as a teacher in New Brunswick ( Canada ) and as a store clerk in Dearborn (Maine). He later became the owner of a spinning mill.

Political career

Morrill first public office was the post of head of the post office of Dearborn. This post he held 1824-1841. Concurrently served 1824-1835 Member of the House of Representatives from Maine. In 1839 he was also elected sheriff in Somerset County. Between 1850 and 1853, was head of the Morrill Land Authority of his state ( Maine Country Agent).

In 1853, Morrill applied unsuccessfully for the office of governor. A year later he was still chosen as a candidate of the American Party to the new governor of Maine. This post he held between January 1855 and January 2, 1856 3. Already then measures against alcohol consumption were taken in Maine. Morrill competed unsuccessfully in 1855 for his re-election. After he had joined the new Republican Party, he was a delegate in 1856 to its first national convention, on the John Charles Frémont was nominated as a presidential candidate. Between 1861 and 1863 he represented his state in the U.S. House of Representatives; 1881 to 1882 he sat again in the state legislature of Maine. He was also from 1871 to 1887 president of the railway company Maine Central Railroad.

Anson Morrill died July 4, 1887 and was buried in Augusta. He was married to Rowenta Richardson, with whom he had two children. His brother Lot M. Morrill was 1858-1861 also governor of Maine.