Morgan G. Bulkeley
Encyclopedia
Morgan Gardner Bulkeley (December 26, 1837 – November 6, 1922) was an American
politician as well as business and sports executive. Bulkeley, a Republican
, served in the American Civil War
, was a Hartford city councilman and bank president, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
as the first president of the National League
, and became a four-term mayor of Hartford, the 54th Governor of Connecticut for two terms and a United States Senator
while serving as the third president of the Aetna Life Insurance Company for 43 years.
to an old local family. Both of his parents were descended from passengers of the Mayflower
more than 200 years prior. The Bulkeleys had called nearby Colchester, Connecticut
their home and until Morgan's death always believed it as such. He was also related to the well known Morgan family through his mother. He was educated at Bacon Academy
in Colchester just like his father and his cousins on both sides. In 1846, the Bulkeley family moved to Hartford, Connecticut
. Morgan's father, Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley
, was prominent in the Connecticut Republican Party and helped found the Aetna
Life Insurance Company, becoming its first president in 1853. He was also a descendant of the third President of Harvard University
, Charles Chauncy
. Morgan Bulkeley attended Hartford Public High School
and, at age 14, started working at the Aetna sweeping floors for a dollar a day along with his brother, Charles.
Bulkeley left Hartford to work for his uncle's company, H. P. Morgan & Company, in Brooklyn
, New York
. He was an errand boy in Brooklyn in 1852 and later worked as a salesman. At the outbreak of the Civil War
, Bulkeley enlisted with the Thirteenth New York Volunteers as a private for the Union Army
. He served under General George B. McClellan
in the Peninsula Campaign
and later under General Joseph K. Mansfield
. His brother, Charles, was killed during the war.
After the Civil War, Bulkeley returned to Morgan & Company. When his father died in 1872, Bulkeley returned to Hartford and helped form the United States Bank of Hartford, becoming its first president. He later served on Aetna's board of directors.
of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
in 1874. In 1875, the team featured Hall of Fame pitcher Candy Cummings
and player-manager Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson. In 1876, the NAPBBP was replaced by the National League
. Hartford was one of the charter members and Bulkeley was named the league's first president. In his only season as president, he targeted illegal gambling, drinking and fan rowdiness. After the season, he was replaced as president by William Hulbert
. Bulkeley was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937
, 15 years after his death. He was also one of the seven members of the Mills Commission formed by Albert Spalding
, the group that gave credence to the myth that Abner Doubleday
invented baseball
.
. When Thomas O. Enders
resigned Aetna's presidency due to ill health in 1879, Bulkeley became the company's third president. In 1880, Bulkeley ran for both Mayor of Hartford and Governor of Connecticut. He lost the gubernatorial race but won the mayoral race and was Hartford's mayor from 1880 to 1888. As mayor he became known for his flamboyant generosity; for instance, arranging steamboat trips on the Connecticut River
for underprivileged children, using his own money.
While mayor of Hartford, on February 11, 1885, Bulkeley married Fannie Briggs Houghton in San Francisco, California. They had two sons and a daughter.
In 1888, Bulkeley again ran for governor. In the election, Luzon B. Morris
accumulated more votes than Bulkeley but neither had the required 50%. In accordance with the rules of the time, the General Assembly
decided the winner and the largely Republican body chose Bulkeley. Although he did not run in 1890, the vote was so close and fell into such disarray due to ballot irregularities in Bridgeport
that officials did not certify the results, and the Connecticut House of Representatives
and Senate
, each led by opposing parties, could not agree on a legal successor. When Bulkeley refused to recognize the Democratic candidate as the victor, the Democratic state comptroller
changed the lock on an anteroom that led from the governor's office to the Statehouse. When Bulkeley found the door locked the next morning, he broke in with a crowbar
, earning the nickname the "Crow-Bar Governor". Bulkeley remained in office two more years, and the state Supreme Court unanimously held that he had been the lawful governor for the disputed period of time.
Bulkeley later served one term in the U.S. Senate from 1905 to 1911, as part of the "Millionaires' Senate" of 1906, so named for the wealth of its members.
The Hartford Bridge over the Connecticut River
was renamed the Bulkeley Bridge
in his honor after his death.
Bulkeley's widow, Fannie, died on June 22, 1938.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician as well as business and sports executive. Bulkeley, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, served in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, was a Hartford city councilman and bank president, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
as the first president of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and became a four-term mayor of Hartford, the 54th Governor of Connecticut for two terms and a United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
while serving as the third president of the Aetna Life Insurance Company for 43 years.
Early life, career and war
Bulkeley was born in East Haddam, ConnecticutEast Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,333 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
to an old local family. Both of his parents were descended from passengers of the Mayflower
Mayflower
The Mayflower was the ship that transported the English Separatists, better known as the Pilgrims, from a site near the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, , in 1620...
more than 200 years prior. The Bulkeleys had called nearby Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,551 at the 2000 census. In 2005 it was ranked 57th on the "100 Best Places to Live" in all of the United States, conducted by CNN...
their home and until Morgan's death always believed it as such. He was also related to the well known Morgan family through his mother. He was educated at Bacon Academy
Bacon Academy
Bacon Academy is a public high school in Colchester, Connecticut, in the United States.In 1800 a prominent Colchester farmer, Pierpont Bacon, died and left an endowment of thirty-five thousand dollars . The endowment was to theThis established the academy that bears his name...
in Colchester just like his father and his cousins on both sides. In 1846, the Bulkeley family moved to Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. Morgan's father, Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley
Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley
Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley was the first president of the Aetna Insurance Company.After graduating from Yale and practicing law, Eliphalet A. Bulkeley became a banker, a town representative to the state legislature, a state senator, a state's attorney and judge of a minor court, all in central...
, was prominent in the Connecticut Republican Party and helped found the Aetna
Aetna
Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company, providing a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical management...
Life Insurance Company, becoming its first president in 1853. He was also a descendant of the third President of Harvard University
President of Harvard University
The President of Harvard University is the chief administrator of the university. Ex officio the chairman of the Harvard Corporation, he or she is appointed by and is responsible to the other members of that body, who delegate to him or her the day-to-day running of the university...
, Charles Chauncy
Charles Chauncy
Charles Chauncy was an Anglo-American clergyman and educator.He was born at Yardleybury , Hertfordshire, England and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he later was a lecturer in Greek. After serving as a pastor in England at Marston St. Lawrence, Northamptonshire , he emigrated to...
. Morgan Bulkeley attended Hartford Public High School
Hartford Public High School
Hartford Public High School was founded in 1638. It is the second-oldest public secondary school in the United States , second to the Boston Latin School. It is a part of the Hartford Public Schools district.-History:...
and, at age 14, started working at the Aetna sweeping floors for a dollar a day along with his brother, Charles.
Bulkeley left Hartford to work for his uncle's company, H. P. Morgan & Company, in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was an errand boy in Brooklyn in 1852 and later worked as a salesman. At the outbreak of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Bulkeley enlisted with the Thirteenth New York Volunteers as a private for the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He served under General George B. McClellan
George B. McClellan
George Brinton McClellan was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union...
in the Peninsula Campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
and later under General Joseph K. Mansfield
Joseph K. Mansfield
Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union general in the American Civil War, mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam.-Early life:...
. His brother, Charles, was killed during the war.
After the Civil War, Bulkeley returned to Morgan & Company. When his father died in 1872, Bulkeley returned to Hartford and helped form the United States Bank of Hartford, becoming its first president. He later served on Aetna's board of directors.
Baseball
After returning to Hartford in the early days of professional baseball, Bulkeley formed the Hartford Dark BluesHartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...
of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
in 1874. In 1875, the team featured Hall of Fame pitcher Candy Cummings
Candy Cummings
William Arthur "Candy" Cummings was a professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League who was credited with inventing the curveball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.-Career:...
and player-manager Bob "Death to Flying Things" Ferguson. In 1876, the NAPBBP was replaced by the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. Hartford was one of the charter members and Bulkeley was named the league's first president. In his only season as president, he targeted illegal gambling, drinking and fan rowdiness. After the season, he was replaced as president by William Hulbert
William Hulbert
William Ambrose Hulbert was one of the founders of the National League, recognized as baseball's first major league, and was also the president of the Chicago White Stockings franchise....
. Bulkeley was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1937
The 1937 process of selecting inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame was markedly different from the initial elections the previous year. As only half of the initial goal of 10 inductees had been selected in 1936, members of the Baseball Writers Association of America were once again given...
, 15 years after his death. He was also one of the seven members of the Mills Commission formed by Albert Spalding
Albert Spalding
Albert Goodwill Spalding was a professional baseball player, manager and co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company.-Biography:...
, the group that gave credence to the myth that Abner Doubleday
Abner Doubleday
Abner Doubleday was a career United States Army officer and Union general in the American Civil War. He fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter, the opening battle of the war, and had a pivotal role in the early fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was his finest hour, but his...
invented baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
.
Politics
Bulkeley's short career as a baseball executive coincided with the beginning of his political career. From 1874 to 1876, he served on the Hartford Common Council and the Board of AldermenAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
. When Thomas O. Enders
Thomas O. Enders
-Biography:Thomas O. Enders was born on November 28, 1931 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was educated at Yale University where he was a member of the Scroll and Key society, receiving a B.A. in 1953; at the University of Paris, receiving an M.A. in 1955; and Harvard University, receiving an M.A...
resigned Aetna's presidency due to ill health in 1879, Bulkeley became the company's third president. In 1880, Bulkeley ran for both Mayor of Hartford and Governor of Connecticut. He lost the gubernatorial race but won the mayoral race and was Hartford's mayor from 1880 to 1888. As mayor he became known for his flamboyant generosity; for instance, arranging steamboat trips on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
for underprivileged children, using his own money.
While mayor of Hartford, on February 11, 1885, Bulkeley married Fannie Briggs Houghton in San Francisco, California. They had two sons and a daughter.
In 1888, Bulkeley again ran for governor. In the election, Luzon B. Morris
Luzon B. Morris
Luzon Buritt Morris was an American Democratic politician and Governor of Connecticut.-Biography:Morris was born in Newtown, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University in 1854, where he was a member of Skull and Bones...
accumulated more votes than Bulkeley but neither had the required 50%. In accordance with the rules of the time, the General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
decided the winner and the largely Republican body chose Bulkeley. Although he did not run in 1890, the vote was so close and fell into such disarray due to ballot irregularities in Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut.Bridgeport may also refer to:-Places:In Canada:* Bridgeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:* Bridgeport, Alabama* Bridgeport, California, in Mono County...
that officials did not certify the results, and the Connecticut House of Representatives
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents...
and Senate
Connecticut Senate
The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The state senate comprises 36 members, each representing a district with around 94,600 inhabitants. Senators are elected to two-year terms without term limits...
, each led by opposing parties, could not agree on a legal successor. When Bulkeley refused to recognize the Democratic candidate as the victor, the Democratic state comptroller
Connecticut Comptroller
The State Comptroller is the chief fiscal guardian of the State of Connecticut. The duties and responsibilities of the state comptroller include, among other things, overseeing state accounting, preparing state financial reports, paying and administering benefits to state employees, settling...
changed the lock on an anteroom that led from the governor's office to the Statehouse. When Bulkeley found the door locked the next morning, he broke in with a crowbar
Crowbar (tool)
A crowbar, a wrecking bar, pry bar, or prybar, or sometimes a prise bar or prisebar, and more informally a jimmy, jimmy bar, jemmy or gooseneck is a tool consisting of a metal bar with a single curved end and flattened points, often with a small fissure on one or both ends for removing nails...
, earning the nickname the "Crow-Bar Governor". Bulkeley remained in office two more years, and the state Supreme Court unanimously held that he had been the lawful governor for the disputed period of time.
Bulkeley later served one term in the U.S. Senate from 1905 to 1911, as part of the "Millionaires' Senate" of 1906, so named for the wealth of its members.
Death and legacy
Morgan Bulkeley died in Hartford at age 84. At the time of his death, Bulkeley had been the president of Aetna for 43 years and had increased its assets from $25.7 million to $207 million and from 29 to 1,500 employees. Under his guidance, Aetna had been transformed from a life insurance company into a company that offered accident, health, automobile,workers compensation, and group insurance. He was succeeded by his nephew, Morgan Brainard, who led Aetna for the following 35 years.The Hartford Bridge over the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
was renamed the Bulkeley Bridge
Bulkeley Bridge
The Bulkeley Bridge is a stone arch bridge composed of nine spans located in Hartford, Connecticut. The bridge carries Interstate 84, U.S. Route 6 and U.S. Route 44 across the Connecticut River, connecting Hartford to East Hartford...
in his honor after his death.
Bulkeley's widow, Fannie, died on June 22, 1938.
Further reading
- Murphy, Kevin. Crowbar Governor: The Life and Times of Morgan Gardner Bulkeley (Wesleyan University Press, 2011) 288 pages