Born on May 16, 1824, the son of a minister, Levi Parsons Morton lived an accomplished life underscored with a real American Dream story of rags to riches by accumulating a significant amount of wealth as a result of his hard work and grit.
Early Life & Career
Morton spent his early life in Vermont where he prepared for a business career by clerking in storehouses and laboring inside mercantile businesses in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
In fact, it was Hendricks personal success in business that allowed him to reach his political zenith. Upon moving to New York City, Morton became a flourishing merchant, cotton broker, and investment banker. He also became active in politics and a developed a close friendship with Congressman Roscoe Conkling, a well-regarded character in the United States capital and mentor of Morton.
Political Career & Vice Presidency
Morton was elected twice to the United States House of Representatives, where he served one full term and one partial one. In 1880, Republican presidential nominee James A. Garfield offered Morton the vice-presidential nomination in an attempt to gain the approval Conkling loyalists who were dissatisfied that their choice for president, Ulysses S. Grant, had been defeated by Garfield. However, Conkling instructed Morton not to take the offer, and as a result, Morton declined. Garfield then offered the nomination to another Conkling ally, Chester A. Arthur, who accepted. After Garfield and Arthur were elected, Garfield nominated Morton to be Minister Plenipotentiary to France, and Morton served in Paris until 1885. In 1888, Morton was nominated for vice president on the Republican ticket with presidential nominee Benjamin Harrison. Harrison and Morton won, and Morton served as Vice President from 1889 to 1893. After his one term as Vice President, the self-made businessman returned to New York, and in 1894, Morton was voted to be the triumphant Republican nominee for Governor of New York, and he served one term, 1895 to 1896.
Simply put, Levi Morton was among the most accomplished men to ever grace the Vice Presidency. Morton’s legacy includes being the 22nd Vice President of the United States, an Ambassador to France, a Representative from New York, and as the 31st Governor of New York and a successful businessman.
In 1919, Morton developed a cold which then became bronchitis. Bedridden, Morton eventually contracted pneumonia and passed away in 1920.
