Samuel E. Merwin

Samuel Edwin Merwin (August 31, 1831 – March 5, 1907), was an American politician who was the 64th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1889 to 1893.^[1]

Samuel E. Merwin
64th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
In office 1889–1893
Governor	Morgan Bulkeley
Preceded by	James L. Howard
Succeeded by	Ernest Cady
Connecticut Adjutant General
In office 1871–1872
Preceded by	Colin M. Ingersoll
Succeeded by	William P. Trowbridge
In office 1869–1870
Preceded by	Colin M. Ingersoll
Succeeded by	Colin M. Ingersoll
Personal details
Born	(1831-08-31)August 31, 1831 Brookfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	March 5, 1907(1907-03-05) (aged 75) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Battles/wars	Civil War

Early life

Merwin was born in Brookfield, Connecticut on August 31, 1831, the son of Samuel Edwin Merwin Sr. and Ruby (née Nearing) Merwin.^[2]

Career

He received his early education in the district school and then from a private tutor. By the age of 16, he moved to New Haven. He served as a clerk in a store for three years, then went into business with his father. Later, he became president of the New Haven and Yale National Banks. He was a commanding officer of a company known as the "New Haven Grays" in the U.S. Army during the U.S. Civil War.^[2]

Political career

In 1872, Merwin became a member of the Connecticut State Senate for the 4th district,^[3] as the first Republican ever from that district^[2] He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Connecticut in 1884.^[3] He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in November 1888, and served from January 10, 1889, while Morgan Bulkeley was the governor. In the election of 1890, Merwin defeated Bulkeley for the Republican nomination for candidate in the gubernatorial election. His opponent received a majority of fewer than 100 votes, and the election was contested. There was a deadlock for two years, until the next election, in which Bulkeley still served as governor.^[2] Merwin continued serving as lieutenant governor during those years.^[3]

Merwin was the Republican candidate for governor in the election of 1892 as well, and aspired to become the candidate in 1894 too.^[4] However, in 1892, the gubernatorial election was won by Democrat Luzon Buritt Morris, and in 1894, Owen Vincent Coffin was the Republican candidate and won the election.

Personal life

Merwin died at his residence in New Haven, Connecticut on March 5, 1907, after an illness of three years.^[2][5]