Samuel E. Merwin - Biography

Biography

He was born in Brookfield, Connecticut, on August 31, 1831. 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 in the US army during the civil war.

In 1872, Merwin became a Connecticut State Senator for the 4th district, as the first Republican ever from that district He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Connecticut in 1884. 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 to the nomination for Republican candidate in the gubernatorial election. His opponent received a majority of less 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. Merwin continued serving as lieutenant governor during those years.

Merwin was the Republican candidate for governor in the election of 1892 as well, and aspired to become the candidate in 1894 too. 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.

Merwin died on March 5, 1907, after an illness of three years.