Edwin D. Morgan

Morgan 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]

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 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 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 1881, Morgan was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur as Treasury Secretary and was confirmed by the Senate, but declined the position.[6]^:255

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]

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)

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

• United States Congress. "Edwin D. Morgan (id: M000949)". 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.

• "Edwin D. Morgan". Find a Grave. Retrieved February 12, 2008.