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
Personal details
Born	(1811-02-08)February 8, 1811 Washington, Massachusetts
Died	New York City, New York
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Eliza Matilda Waterman (1833–1883; his death)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	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.

Biography

Gubernatorial portrait of New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan.

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. 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.

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. He was also a 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 through 1862, 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.

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, the Governor of Connecticut from 1889 to 1893.

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

See also

• List of American Civil War generals

References

• Finding Aid to Edwin D. Morgan Papers, 1833-1883 at the New York State Library, accessed January 4, 2016

• Edwin D. Morgan at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Mr. Lincoln and New York: Edwin D. Morgan
• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.

External links

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