Morgan C. Hamilton

Morgan Calvin Hamilton
United States Senator
from Texas
In office
March 31, 1870 – March 3, 1877
Preceded byJohn Hemphill
Succeeded byRichard Coke
Personal details
Born(1809-02-25)February 25, 1809
Madison County, Alabama, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 1893(1893-11-21) (aged 84)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting placeOakwood Cemetery
Political partyRepublican; Liberal Republican
RelationsAndrew Jackson Hamilton (brother)

Morgan Calvin Hamilton (February 25, 1809 – November 21, 1893) was an American merchant, politician from Alabama and Texas, and brother of Andrew Jackson Hamilton. Both men were unusual as Unionists in Texas during the American Civil War.[1]

Early life and career

Morgan Calvin Hamilton was born in Madison County, Alabama near Huntsville. His siblings included Andrew Jackson Hamilton.

He moved to Texas when it was still part of Mexico and worked there as a merchant. For six years, from 1839 to 1845, he served in the war department of the Republic of Texas, first as clerk and from 1844 to 1845 as Secretary of War. He settled in Austin.

One of the few Texan abolitionists, Hamilton fought for Union forces during the American Civil War. During Reconstruction, he was elected by the Texas Legislature to the United States Senate as a Radical Republican. While in Congress, Hamilton voted for the Ku Klux Klan Act, but against the Civil Rights Act of 1875.[2][3] He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

References

  1. ^ "United States Senator Morgan C. Hamilton historical Marker – Williamson County Texas History". williamsoncountytexashistory.org. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  2. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 320. -- Senate Vote #50 -- Apr 14, 1871". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  3. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 796. -- Senate Vote #379 -- Feb 27, 1875". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
U.S. Senate
Preceded by
vacant(1)
 U.S. senator (Class 2) from Texas
1870–1877
Served alongside: James W. Flanagan, Samuel B. Maxey 		Succeeded by
Notes and references
1. Because Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, seat was declared vacant from 1861-1870 when John Hemphill withdrew from the Senate.


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