This article is about the New York politician. For other people with the same name, see Edwin Morgan (disambiguation).
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. Morgan was known for his progressive views on education, prison reform, and women's suffrage. He helped to found the Republican Party in New York and was a strong supporter of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
In 1836 he moved to New York City, becoming a successful wholesale grocer and bond broker. He served as an assistant alderman and member of the New York State Senate. Originally a Whig, he was one of the founders of the Republican Party, and he served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1856 to 1864 and 1872 to 1876.
In 1858, Morgan was elected Governor of New York, and he served from 1859 to 1862. As governor during the American Civil War, Morgan supported the Union. Appointed a major general of volunteers in the Union Army, he commanded the military's Department of New York while serving as governor. In 1863, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he served one term. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1869, and the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor in 1876. Morgan had been a patron of Chester A. Arthur at the start of Arthur's career; when Arthur became president, he nominated Morgan as United States Secretary of the Treasury. Morgan was confirmed by the Senate, but declined on the grounds of age and ill health. Morgan died in New York City in 1883, and was buried in Connecticut.
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 moved 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 John 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 to 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.[2]
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.[2] He was also a member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853, and State Commissioner of Immigration.[4]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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 1833, he married Eliza Matilda Waterman (b. 1810), daughter of Henry Waterman (1782–1854). Together, they had:
Edwin Denison Morgan, M.D. (1834–1879), who married Sarah Elizabeth Archer, daughter of Thomas Archer.[7]
Frederick Avery Morgan (1838–1841), died young
Gilbert Henry Morgan (1843–1843), died young
Caroline Matilda Morgan (1846–1847), died young
Alfred Waterman Morgan (1847–1848), died young
Known for generous contributions to charities and causes, he contributed large sums to the Union Theological Seminary.[5]
Morgan died in New York City on February 14, 1883.[8] He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.[5][9]
Descendants
Through his son Edwin, he was a grandfather of Edwin Denison Morgan III (1854–1933), who married Elizabeth Mary Moran.[7] Through his grandson, he was the 2x great-grandfather of Edwin D. Morgan (1921–2001), businessman and Pioneer Fund director from 2000 to 2001.[10]
^Morgan, Freeman E. (Freeman Ernest); Morgan, Nathaniel H. (Nathaniel Harris) (1998). "Updated Morgan genealogy : a history of James Morgan, of New London, Connecticut, and his descendants, from 1607 to 1997". Bowie, Md. : Heritage Books – via Internet Archive.
^ abc"Edwin D. Morgan Papers, 1833–1883 (finding aid)". New York State Library Website. New York State Library. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
^Archives and Special Collections (2011). Biographical Note, E. B. Morgan Collection(PDF). Aurora, Cayuga County, NY: Wells College. p. 2.
^ abReeves, Thomas C. (1975). Gentleman Boss. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 19. ISBN0-394-46095-2.
^Reeves, Thomas C. (1975). Gentleman Boss. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN0-394-46095-2.
^ ab"E. D. MORGAN DIES; FAMED YACHTSMAN; Member of Successful Group That Time After Time Sent Lipton Back Without Cup. OWNER OF MANY VESSELS The Columbia and Gloriana Among Them—Former Commodore of New York Yacht Club" (PDF). The New York Times. June 14, 1933. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
^"Edwin D. Morgan" (PDF). The New York Times. February 15, 1883. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
edwin, morgan, this, article, about, york, politician, other, people, with, same, name, edwin, morgan, disambiguation, edwin, denison, morgan, february, 1811, february, 1883, 21st, governor, york, from, 1859, 1862, served, united, states, senate, from, 1863, 1. This article is about the New York politician For other people with the same name see Edwin Morgan disambiguation 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 Morgan was known for his progressive views on education prison reform and women s suffrage He helped to found the Republican Party in New York and was a strong supporter of the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln Edwin D MorganUnited States Senatorfrom New YorkIn office March 4 1863 March 3 1869Preceded byPreston KingSucceeded byReuben E Fenton21st Governor of New YorkIn office January 1 1859 December 31 1862LieutenantRobert CampbellPreceded byJohn Alsop KingSucceeded byHoratio Seymour1st and 5th Chairman of the Republican National CommitteeIn office 1872 1876Preceded byWilliam ClaflinSucceeded byZachariah ChandlerIn office 1856 1864Preceded byPosition establishedSucceeded byHenry J RaymondMember of the New York Senate from the 6th districtIn office January 1 1850 December 31 1853Preceded byWilliam Samuel JohnsonSucceeded byErastus BrooksPersonal detailsBornEdwin Denison Morgan 1811 02 08 February 8 1811Washington Massachusetts U S DiedFebruary 14 1883 1883 02 14 aged 72 New York City New York U S Political partyRepublicanOther politicalaffiliationsWhigSignatureMilitary serviceAllegianceUnited StatesUnionBranch serviceUnited States ArmyUnion ArmyYears of service1861 1863RankMajor GeneralCommandsDepartment of New YorkBattles warsAmerican Civil WarIn 1836 he moved to New York City becoming a successful wholesale grocer and bond broker He served as an assistant alderman and member of the New York State Senate Originally a Whig he was one of the founders of the Republican Party and he served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1856 to 1864 and 1872 to 1876 In 1858 Morgan was elected Governor of New York and he served from 1859 to 1862 As governor during the American Civil War Morgan supported the Union Appointed a major general of volunteers in the Union Army he commanded the military s Department of New York while serving as governor In 1863 he was elected to the United States Senate where he served one term He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1869 and the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor in 1876 Morgan had been a patron of Chester A Arthur at the start of Arthur s career when Arthur became president he nominated Morgan as United States Secretary of the Treasury Morgan was confirmed by the Senate but declined on the grounds of age and ill health Morgan died in New York City in 1883 and was buried in Connecticut Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Political career 3 Personal life 3 1 Descendants 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksEarly life EditMorgan was born on February 8 1811 in Washington Massachusetts to Jasper and Catherine Copp Morgan 1 The family moved to Windsor Connecticut where Morgan received his early education before attending Bacon Academy in Colchester 2 Edwin Morgan was a cousin of Morgan G Bulkeley the Governor of Connecticut from 1889 to 1893 In addition he was a cousin of Congressmen Edwin B Morgan and Christopher Morgan 3 Career EditHe 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 moved to New York City and became a successful wholesaler broker and banker In 1843 Morgan organized E D Morgan amp 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 John 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 to 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 2 Political career Edit 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 2 He was also a member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853 and State Commissioner of Immigration 4 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 4 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 5 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 6 255 Personal life EditIn 1833 he married Eliza Matilda Waterman b 1810 daughter of Henry Waterman 1782 1854 Together they had Edwin Denison Morgan M D 1834 1879 who married Sarah Elizabeth Archer daughter of Thomas Archer 7 Frederick Avery Morgan 1838 1841 died young Gilbert Henry Morgan 1843 1843 died young Caroline Matilda Morgan 1846 1847 died young Alfred Waterman Morgan 1847 1848 died youngKnown for generous contributions to charities and causes he contributed large sums to the Union Theological Seminary 5 Morgan died in New York City on February 14 1883 8 He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford 5 9 Descendants Edit Through his son Edwin he was a grandfather of Edwin Denison Morgan III 1854 1933 who married Elizabeth Mary Moran 7 Through his grandson he was the 2x great grandfather of Edwin D Morgan 1921 2001 businessman and Pioneer Fund director from 2000 to 2001 10 See also Edit Biography portal American Civil War portalList of American Civil War generals Union Notes Edit Morgan Freeman E Freeman Ernest Morgan Nathaniel H Nathaniel Harris 1998 Updated Morgan genealogy a history of James Morgan of New London Connecticut and his descendants from 1607 to 1997 Bowie Md Heritage Books via Internet Archive a b c Edwin D Morgan Papers 1833 1883 finding aid New York State Library Website New York State Library Retrieved January 4 2016 Archives and Special Collections 2011 Biographical Note E B Morgan Collection PDF Aurora Cayuga County NY Wells College p 2 a b Reeves Thomas C 1975 Gentleman Boss NY NY Alfred A Knopf pp 19 ISBN 0 394 46095 2 a b c Eicher John H and David J Eicher Civil War High Commands Stanford Stanford University Press 2001 ISBN 0 8047 3641 3 p 397 Reeves Thomas C 1975 Gentleman Boss NY NY Alfred A Knopf ISBN 0 394 46095 2 a b E D MORGAN DIES FAMED YACHTSMAN Member of Successful Group That Time After Time Sent Lipton Back Without Cup OWNER OF MANY VESSELS The Columbia and Gloriana Among Them Former Commodore of New York Yacht Club PDF The New York Times June 14 1933 Retrieved September 4 2019 Edwin D Morgan PDF The New York Times February 15 1883 Retrieved September 4 2019 Edwin Denison Morgan Biographical Directory of the United States Congress The Founders Archived from the original on November 30 2012 Retrieved November 6 2012 References EditFinding Aid to Edwin D Morgan Papers 1833 1883 at the New York State Library Retrieved January 4 2016United States Congress Edwin D Morgan id M000949 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Mr Lincoln and New York Edwin D Morgan Archived July 16 2012 at the Wayback Machine Eicher John H and David J Eicher Civil War High Commands Stanford Stanford University Press 2001 ISBN 0 8047 3641 3 Further reading EditRawley James A Edwin D Morgan 1811 1883 Columbia University Press 1955 Scholarly biography onlineExternal links Edit Edwin D Morgan Find a Grave Retrieved February 12 2008 New York State SenatePreceded byWilliam Samuel Johnson New York State Senate 6th District1850 1853 Succeeded byErastus BrooksPolitical officesPreceded byJohn A King Governor of New York1859 1862 Succeeded byHoratio SeymourPreceded byPreston King U S senator Class 1 from New York1863 1869 Served alongside Ira Harris and Roscoe Conkling Succeeded byReuben E FentonParty political officesNew title Chairman of the Republican National Committee1856 1864 Succeeded byHenry Jarvis RaymondNew title Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee1856 1858 Succeeded byJames KellyPreceded byJohn A King Republican nominee for Governor of New York1858 1860 Succeeded byJames S WadsworthPreceded byWilliam Claflin Chairman of the Republican National Committee1872 1876 Succeeded byZachariah ChandlerPreceded byAlonzo B Cornell Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee1874 1875 Succeeded byAlonzo B CornellPreceded byJohn Adams Dix Republican nominee for Governor of New York1876 Succeeded byAlonzo B Cornell Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Edwin D Morgan amp oldid 1144918404, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
