William James Morgan (October 16, 1840 – September 5, 1900) was an American newspaper editor and politician.
William J. Morgan | |
|---|---|
 William J. Morgan, 1897 | |
| New York State Comptroller | |
| In office 1899–1900 | |
| Preceded by | James A. Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Theodore P. Gilman |
| Collector of the Port of Buffalo | |
| In office 1889–1893 | |
| Appointed by | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Arthur D. Bissell |
| Succeeded by | Peter C. Doyle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 16, 1840 Peterborough, Upper Canada |
| Died | September 5, 1900 (aged 59) Albany, New York |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel (bvt) |
| Unit | 116th New York Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War: • Siege of Port Hudson • Battle of Cedar Creek |
Early life edit
Morgan was born on October 16, 1840, in Peterborough, Ontario, Upper Canada.[1]
He came to the United States when 10 years old, and attended the public schools in Buffalo, New York.[1]
Career edit
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the 116th New York Volunteer Infantry, and fought in the Siege of Port Hudson and Battle of Cedar Creek. He was several times wounded, and retired in 1864 as a brevet lieutenant colonel of volunteers. Upon his return to Buffalo, he joined the editorial staff of The Buffalo Commercial newspaper in 1869, where he worked for the next 20 years.[1]
Political career edit
In 1880, Governor Alonzo B. Cornell appointed him a canal appraiser, and he served as Chairman of the Canal Board. President Benjamin Harrison appointed him Collector of Customs at the Port of Buffalo in 1889, serving until 1893.
In 1894, he was appointed Deputy Comptroller by James A. Roberts, and in 1898 was elected New York State Comptroller to succeed Roberts.[2] He died on the day of his re-nomination by the Republican state convention.[1]
Personal life edit
In 1869, Morgan married Mary Catherine Reese (1843–1909), a daughter of George Reese and Susannah (née Brower) Reese.[3] Together, they were the parents of three daughters and two sons, including:[1]
- Mabel Morgan (1870–1941), who married Courtland C. Briggs in 1893.[4][5][6]
- Morgan, who married William A. Kendall.[7]
- Percy R. Morgan (1878–1961), a lawyer and town supervisor.[8]
- J. Warren Morgan (b. 1880), a civil engineer.[9]
- Mai Morgan, who married attorney Richard H. Templeton in 1908.[3][10]
Morgan died of heart disease on September 5, 1900, at 1 Main Avenue, his home in Albany, New York. His home in Buffalo was 407 Norwood Avenue.[11] Services in Buffalo were held at the Richmond Avenue Methodist-Episcopal Church with the pall bearers as Secretary of State John T. McDonough, State Engineer Edward A. Bond, Attorney General John C. Davies, State Treasurer John P. Jaeckel, Superintendent of Public Works John Nelson Partridge, Speaker of the Assembly S. Frederick Nixon, Deputy Controller Theodore P. Gilman, Thomas Austin, and Judge D. S. Potter of Glens Falls.[1] His wife died in 1909 at the home of their daughter Mai.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "CONTROLLER MORGAN DEAD Expired in Albany on the Day of His Renomination. FUNERAL TO BE IN BUFFALO News of the Death Withheld at the Request of the Family and Political Friends" (PDF). The New York Times. September 7, 1900. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "THE CANDIDATES' CAREERS. | William J. Morgan" (PDF). The New York Times. September 28, 1898. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ a b Revolution, Daughters of the American (1926). Lineage Book. The Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. p. 320. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Funeral Held Here For Mrs. Mabel Briggs Daughter of Former State Comptroller Dies". The Buffalo News. 12 November 1941. p. 57. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Revolution, Daughters of the American (1922). Lineage Book of the Charter Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Daughters of the American Revolution. p. 92. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Jackman, Warren (1902). History of the Town of Elma, Erie County, N.Y.: 1620 to 1901. G.M. Hausauer & Son. p. 258. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Mary R. Morgan". The Buffalo Commercial. 1 February 1909. p. 9. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Percy R. Morgan". The Buffalo News. 16 January 1961. p. 4. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Advice for Reaching 100 Works; He's Living Proof". The Buffalo News. 20 September 1980. p. 2. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Chester, Alden (1925). Courts and Lawyers of New York: A History 1609-1925. By Alden Chester. In Collaboration with E. Melvin Williams. American Historical Society. p. 365. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "COL. MORGAN'S FUNERAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW. Remains Have Been Brought to This City". The Buffalo Review. 8 September 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 26 January 2023.