Edwin Atkins Merritt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward Atkins Merritt
U.S. Consul General, London, England
In office 1881–1885
Preceded by	Adam Badeau
Succeeded by	Thomas M. Waller
Collector of the Port of New York
In office 1878–1881
Preceded by	Chester A. Arthur
Succeeded by	William H. Robertson
Surveyor of the Port of New York
In office 1877–1878
Preceded by	George H. Sharpe
Succeeded by	Charles K. Graham
Naval Officer for the Port of New York
In office 1869–1870
Preceded by	John Adams Dix
Succeeded by	Moses H. Grinnell
Member of the New York State Assembly from the St. Lawrence County, 2nd District
In office 1860–1861
Preceded by	William Briggs
Succeeded by	James Redington
Clerk of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors
In office 1857–1861
Preceded by	Martin Thatcher
Succeeded by	Stillman Foote
Town Supervisor of Pierrepont, New York
In office 1854–1857
Preceded by	Peter F. Ryerson
Succeeded by	Benjamin F. Hamilton
Personal details
Born	(1828-02-26)February 26, 1828 Sudbury, Vermont
Died	December 26, 1916(1916-12-26) (aged 88) Potsdam, New York
Resting place	Pierrepont Hill Cemetery, Pierrepont, New York
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Eliza Rich (m. 1858)
Relations	Edwin Albert Merritt (son)
Occupation	Teacher Surveyor Engineer Public official
Military service
Branch/service	Union Army New York Militia
Years of service	1861–1864 (Army) 1865-1869 (Militia)
Rank	Captain (Army) Brigadier general (Militia)
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Edwin Atkins Merritt (born February 26, 1828 – died December 26, 1916) was an important American politician and diplomat. He worked to make government jobs fair.

Merritt served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He later became a brigadier general in the New York Militia. He also served in the New York State Assembly. This is like being a state lawmaker. He held important jobs like Collector of the Port of New York. This role involved collecting taxes on goods coming into the country.

Life of Edwin A. Merritt

Early Life and Education

Edwin A. Merritt was born in Sudbury, Vermont, on February 26, 1828. His parents were Nodiah and Relief Merritt. He grew up and went to school in Essex County, New York. He studied at St. Lawrence Academy. Here, he learned how to become a teacher. Besides teaching, Merritt also worked as a surveyor and an engineer.

Early Political Career

From 1854 to 1857, Merritt was the Town Supervisor of Pierrepont, New York. This meant he helped manage the town. From 1857 to 1861, he was the Clerk for the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors. He was also a member of the New York State Assembly in 1860 and 1861.

Service During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Edwin Merritt joined the Union Army. He was a captain and worked as a quartermaster. A quartermaster is in charge of supplies for the army. He helped in battles in Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Later, he was in Washington, D.C.. His job was to help supply new soldiers going to the war.

In 1865, he became the Quartermaster General for the New York Militia. This meant he was the main leader for supplies for the state's military. He held this important position until 1869.

Post-War Public Service

In April 1865, Merritt represented New York at a big event. This was the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. In 1867, he was part of a group that helped write the state's constitution.

From 1869 to 1870, he was the U.S. Naval Officer for the Port of New York. This was one of three main jobs that collected taxes on goods. These officials also fined people who tried to avoid paying.

In 1871, he was offered a job as the U.S. Minister to Brazil. But he decided not to take it. In 1875, he ran for New York State Treasurer as a Republican. However, he lost that election.

In 1877, Merritt became the Surveyor of the Port of New York. In 1878, he was chosen to be the Collector of the Port. He took over from Chester A. Arthur, who later became president. Merritt served as Collector until 1881. After that, he became the U.S. Consul General in London, England. He worked there until 1885.

Later Life and Legacy

Edwin Merritt cared a lot about education. He was a trustee for St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University. He also helped create what is now the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Merritt passed away in Potsdam, New York, on December 26, 1916. He was buried at Pierrepont Hill Cemetery in Pierrepont.

Family

In 1858, Edwin Merritt married Eliza Rich. She was from Pierrepont. Their son, Edwin Albert Merritt, later became a Congressman for New York.