Justin S. Morrill
Justin Smith Morrill (April 14, 1810 – December 28, 1898) was an American politician and entrepreneur who represented Vermont in the United States House of Representatives (1855–1867) and United States Senate (1867–1898). He is most widely remembered for the Morrill Land-Grant Acts that provided federal funding for establishing many of the United States' public colleges and universities. Originally a Whig, after that party became defunct Morrill was one of the founders of the Republican Party.
Justin S. Morrill | |
|---|---|
Morrill pictured between 1855 and 1865 | |
| United States Senator from Vermont | |
| In office March 4, 1867 – December 28, 1898 | |
| Preceded by | Luke P. Poland |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Ross |
| Chairman of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Speaker | Schuyler Colfax |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Robert C. Schenck/ Nathaniel P. Banks (1869) |
| Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means | |
| In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Thaddeus Stevens |
| Succeeded by | Robert C. Schenck |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Tracy |
| Succeeded by | Luke P. Poland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 14, 1810 Strafford, Vermont, US |
| Died | December 28, 1898 (aged 88) Washington, D.C., US |
| Political party | Whig (before 1855) Republican (from 1855) |
| Spouse | Ruth Barrell Swan (1821–1898) |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Signature | |
A native of Strafford, Vermont, Morrill was educated in the schools of Strafford, Thetford Academy and Randolph Academy. He worked as a merchant's clerk in Maine and Vermont, then embarked on a business career. In partnership with Jedediah H. Harris, Morrill owned and operated several stores in towns throughout Vermont. The success of his stores enabled Morrill to invest profitably in a farm, banks, railroads, and real estate.
Morrill was active in politics as a Whig, and was elected to Congress in 1854. The party became defunct soon afterwards, and Morrill was a founder of the new Republican Party. He won reelection to the U.S. House every two years from 1856 to 1864, and he served from March 1857 to March 1867. During his House service, Morrill served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Republican Conference.
In 1866, Morrill was elected to the U.S. Senate, and he served from March 1867 until his death. During his Senate career, Morrill was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Committee on Public Buildings. Morrill died in Washington, D.C., on December 28, 1898. He was buried at Strafford Cemetery.