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Higher Office(s) Served: Representative

ANSON P. MORRILL, the twenty-fourth governor of Maine, was born in Belgrade, Maine on June 10, 1803. His education was attained in the common schools of his native state. He taught school in New Brunswick, Canada, worked as a store clerk in Dearborn, Maine, and eventually became the owner of a woolen mill in Readfield, Maine. Morrill entered politics in 1825, with an appointment as the postmaster at Dearborn, Maine, a post he held until 1841. He also served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1824 to 1835, was sheriff of Somerset County in 1839, and served as the Maine land agent from 1850 to 1853. After an unsuccessful run for the governor's office in 1853, Morrill was victorious two years later. The general election failed to provide a majority candidate, thus resulting in the legislature naming Morrill as the legal governor. He was sworn into office on January 3, 1855. During his tenure, mandatory prohibition measures were supported. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Morrill left office on January 2, 1856. He then served as a delegate to the 1856 Republican National Convention. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1861 to 1863, was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1881 to 1882, and served as president of the Maine Central Railroad from 1871 to 1887. Governor Anson P. Morrill passed away on July 4, 1887, and was buried at the Forest Grove Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Governors of the State of Maine