{{short description|Union Army general and politician (1811–1883)}} {{about|the New York politician|other people with the same name| Edwin Morgan (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder |image = EDMorgan.jpg |party = Republican |other_party = Whig |jr/sr = United States Senator |state = New York |term_start = March 4, 1863 |term_end = March 3, 1869 |predecessor = Preston King |successor = Reuben E. Fenton |order1 = 21st Governor of New York |lieutenant1 = Robert Campbell |term_start1 = January 1, 1859 |term_end1 = December 31, 1862 |predecessor1 = John Alsop King |successor1 = Horatio Seymour |order2 = 1st and 5th |office2 = Chair of the Republican National Committee |term_start2 = 1872 |term_end2 = 1876 |predecessor2 = William Claflin |successor2 = Zachariah Chandler |term_start3 = 1856 |term_end3 = 1864 |predecessor3 = ''Position established'' |successor3 = Henry J. Raymond |state_senate4 = New York |district4 = 6th |term_start4 = January 1, 1850 |term_end4 = December 31, 1853 |preceded4 = William Samuel Johnson |succeeded4 = Erastus Brooks |birth_name = Edwin Denison Morgan |birth_date = {{birth date|1811|2|8}} |birth_place = Washington, Massachusetts, U.S. |death_date = {{death date and age|1883|2|14|1811|2|8}} |death_place = New York City, New York, U.S. |footnotes = |signature = Edwin Denison Morgan signature.svg |allegiance = United States<br/>Union |branch = United States Army<br/>Union Army |service_years = 1861–1863 |rank = 35px Major General |commands = Department of New York |unit = |battles = American Civil War |awards = }} '''Edwin Denison Morgan''' (February 8, 1811{{spaced ndash}}February 14, 1883) was an American politician and Union Army general who served as the 21st governor of New York from 1859 to 1862 and as a United States senator from 1863 to 1869. He was the first and longest-serving chairman of the Republican National Committee. 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.
==Early life== Morgan was born on February 8, 1811, in Washington, Massachusetts, to Jasper and Catherine (Copp) Morgan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/updatedmorgangen00morg|title=Updated Morgan genealogy : a history of James Morgan, of New London, Connecticut, and his descendants, from 1607 to 1997|first1=Freeman E. (Freeman Ernest)|last1=Morgan|first2=Nathaniel H. (Nathaniel Harris)|last2=Morgan|date=1998|publisher=Bowie, Md. : Heritage Books|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The family moved to Windsor, Connecticut, where Morgan received his early education before attending Bacon Academy in Colchester.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc11818.htm|title = Edwin D. Morgan Papers, 1833–1883 (finding aid)|access-date = January 4, 2016|website = New York State Library Website|publisher = New York State Library}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Archives and Special Collections |date=2011 |title=Biographical Note, E. B. Morgan Collection |url=https://www.wells.edu/files/public/library/E_B_Morgan_Collection.pdf |location=Aurora, Cayuga County, NY |publisher=Wells College |page=2 |access-date=November 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122426/https://www.wells.edu/files/public/library/E_B_Morgan_Collection.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Career== 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.<ref name=":0" />
===Political career=== thumb|left|180px|Gubernatorial portrait of New York Governor Edwin D. MorganIn 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.<ref name=":0" /> He was also a member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853, and State Commissioner of Immigration.<ref name="reeves19">{{cite book | last = Reeves | first = Thomas C. | title = Gentleman Boss | url = https://archive.org/details/gentlemanbosslif00reev/page/19 | url-access = registration | publisher = Alfred A. Knopf | year = 1975 | location = NY, NY | pages = [https://archive.org/details/gentlemanbosslif00reev/page/19 19] | isbn = 0-394-46095-2 }}</ref>
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.<ref name="reeves19"/>
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.<ref name="Eicher397">Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, ''Civil War High Commands''. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. {{ISBN|0-8047-3641-3}}. p. 397</ref>
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.<ref name="reeves">{{cite book | last = Reeves | first = Thomas C. | title = Gentleman Boss | url = https://archive.org/details/gentlemanbosslif00reev | url-access = registration | publisher = Alfred A. Knopf | year = 1975 | location = NY, NY | isbn = 0-394-46095-2}}</ref>{{Rp|255}}
==Personal life== 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.<ref name="EDMObit1933"/> * 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.<ref name="Eicher397"/>
Morgan died in New York City on February 14, 1883.<ref name="EDMObit1883">{{cite news |title=Edwin D. Morgan. |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1883/02/15/102799621.pdf |access-date=September 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=February 15, 1883}}</ref> He was buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.<ref name="Eicher397"/><ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000949 Edwin Denison Morgan], ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress''</ref>
===Descendants=== Through his son Edwin, he was a grandfather of Edwin Denison Morgan III (1854–1933), who married Elizabeth Mary Moran.<ref name="EDMObit1933">{{cite news |title=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. |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/06/14/105392640.pdf |access-date=September 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=June 14, 1933}}</ref> Through his grandson, he was the 2x great-grandfather of Edwin D. Morgan (1921–2001), businessman and Pioneer Fund director from 2000 to 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Founders|url=http://www.pioneerfund.org/Founders.html|access-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130130929/http://www.pioneerfund.org/Founders.html|archive-date=November 30, 2012}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Biography|American Civil War}} *List of American Civil War generals (Union)
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== *[http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc11818.htm Finding Aid to Edwin D. Morgan Papers, 1833–1883] at the New York State Library. Retrieved January 4, 2016 {{CongBio|M000949}} *[http://www.mrlincolnandnewyork.org/inside.asp?ID=62&subjectID=3 Mr. Lincoln and New York: Edwin D. Morgan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716195131/http://www.mrlincolnandnewyork.org/inside.asp?ID=62&subjectID=3 |date=July 16, 2012 }} * Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, ''Civil War High Commands.'' Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. {{ISBN|0-8047-3641-3}}.
==Further reading== * Rawley, James A. ''Edwin D. Morgan 1811–1883'' (Columbia University Press, 1955). Scholarly biography; [https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7312/rawl90978/html#contents online]
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Find a Grave|5895161|access-date=12 February 2008}} *{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Morgan, Edwin Dennison |volume=18 |page=833 |short=1}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-ny-sen}} {{succession box | before = William Samuel Johnson | title = New York State Senate <br>6th District | years = 1850–1853 | after = Erastus Brooks}} {{S-off}} {{Succession box|title=Governor of New York|before=John A. King|after=Horatio Seymour|years=1859–1862}} {{U.S. Senator box|state=New York|class=1|before=Preston King|after=Reuben E. Fenton|alongside=Ira Harris and Roscoe Conkling|years=1863–1869}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-new}} {{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the Republican National Committee|years=1856–1864}} {{s-aft|after=Henry Jarvis Raymond}} {{s-new}} {{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee|years=1856–1858}} {{s-aft|after=James Kelly}} {{s-bef|before=John A. King}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of New York|years=1858, 1860}} {{s-aft|after=James S. Wadsworth}} {{s-bef|before=William Claflin}} {{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the Republican National Committee|years=1872–1876}} {{s-aft|after=Zachariah Chandler}} {{s-bef|before=Alonzo B. Cornell}} {{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee|years=1874–1875}} {{s-aft|after=Alonzo B. Cornell}} {{s-bef|before=John Adams Dix}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of New York|years=1876}} {{s-aft|after=Alonzo B. Cornell}} {{s-end}}
{{USSenNY}} {{Governors of New York}} {{RNCchairmen}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Edwin D.}} Category:1811 births Category:1883 deaths Category:People from Washington, Massachusetts Edwin D. Category:Republican Party United States senators from New York (state) Category:Republican National Committee chairs Category:Governors of New York (state) Category:Republican Party governors of New York (state) Category:New York (state) Republicans Category:New York (state) Whigs Category:New York (state) state senators Category:New York City Council members Category:Politicians from Hartford, Connecticut Category:People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Category:Union (American Civil War) state governors Category:Union army generals Category:Burials at Cedar Hill Cemetery (Hartford, Connecticut) Category:Bacon Academy alumni Category:19th-century United States senators Category:19th-century members of the New York State Legislature