Edwin D. Morgan

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

Early years and political rise

In 1822 Edwin Morgan moved with his parents to Connecticut. There he attended the public schools and Bacon Academy. From 1828 the family lived in Hartford. There, Edwin Morgan was a successful businessman as a broker and in the banking industry. His first political office he held from 1832 the city council of Hartford. After another move to New York City in 1836, he was elected in 1849 in the city council of that city. In his new home, he continued his business career. Well, he was also still in the retail industry. From 1850 to 1855 Edwin Morgan sat in the Senate of New York, 1855-1858, he was head of the Immigration Authority in the State (State Commissioner of Immigration ). Morgan was a member of the newly formed Republican Party and from 1856 to 1864 the first chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Governor and U.S. Senator

On November 2, 1858 Edwin Morgan was elected the new governor of his state. After a re-election in 1860 he was able to hold that office between 1 January 1859 and 1 January 1863. During his tenure, the waterways of the state were expanded and founded the Vassar College. His second term was overshadowed by the events of the Civil War. The governor supported the war effort of the federal government under President Abraham Lincoln. At that time, young men were mustered and the army are made available. Also the production of the state was changed to armaments. Governor Morgan himself held at this time in addition to the Office of the Governor nor the rank of major general of the Union Army. He had command of the Military District of New York.

After the end of his governorship Morgan completed a legislature as a senator in the U.S. Congress. This mandate he held as a successor to Preston King between 4 March 1863 and 3 March 1869. During this time he was chairman of the Committee on the Library. Also in this season comes the barely lost the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. In 1868, Morgan was not confirmed in his office. His seat went to Reuben Fenton, who was also previously governor of New York.

Further CV

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 by President Chester A. Arthur, who wanted to appoint him as his finance minister. Edwin Morgan died two years later in New York and was buried in Hartford. With his wife Matilda Waterman he had five children. Edwin Morgan was the cousin of Morgan G. Bulkeley, who was from 1889 to 1893 Governor of Connecticut.