The New Student's Reference Work/Morrill, Justin Smith

Mor′rill, Justin Smith, an American statesman, was born in Orange County, Vt., April 14, 1810. He had only a common-school education, and at an early age he engaged in business, which he later gave up for farming. He was elected to Congress in 1855, remaining in the house of representatives from 1855 to 1867, at which time he was elected to the United States senate, and later was re-elected for six successive terms of six years each. His congressional service exceeded in length that of any living colleague. He held for many years in the house the important position of chairman of the committee of ways and means, and he was the author of the tariff bill of 1861 known by his name. He wrote Self-Consciousness of Noted Persons, published in 1886. He died on Dec. 28, 1898, at the capital of the nation.