Albert Pickett Morehouse (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Established the first agricultural experiment station at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, using funds provided by the Hatch Act of 1887
• Called out the Missouri National Guard to quell a coal miners' strike in 1888
• Supported appropriations for state Board of Health
• Called for the appointment of independent bank examiners

Personal History

Albert Pickett Morehouse was born in Delaware County, Ohio, to Stephen and Harriet Wood Morehouse. His formal education was limited; however, he began teaching school at the age of 18. In 1856, he relocated to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he continued his work as a teacher while also studying law. His dedication paid off in 1860 when he was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Montgomery County, Iowa.

As the Civil War erupted, Morehouse returned to Nodaway County and resumed his role as a schoolteacher in the Graham area. In November 1861, he enlisted in Colonel Kimball's Six-Month Militia, serving on the Union side of the conflict. Rising through the ranks, he was elected first lieutenant of Company E. Once the six-month period ended, he enrolled in the Thirty-sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia, Company G. His commitment was recognized when he was promoted to assistant provost marshal in 1862 and later to quartermaster sergeant.

During his service, Morehouse and his battalion camped in Lafayette County, Missouri, where they visited the McFadden farmhouse, and he met the daughter of the household, Mattie McFadden. Their mutual attraction developed through correspondence, allowing them to maintain contact throughout the war. After the conflict ended, Morehouse and Mattie married in 1865 in Lexington, Missouri, and they went on to have three children: Nannie, Anna, and Edwin.

With his enrollment in the Thirty-sixth Militia, Morehouse was able to stay in Maryville, where he joined Amos Graham to practice law. By 1871, he had established a successful real estate business in Nodaway County and became actively involved in local politics, primarily through his ownership of the newspaper, the Nodaway Democrat. This platform allowed him to influence community matters and political discourse.

In 1888, after an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, Morehouse returned to Maryville to resume his real estate endeavors. In September 1891, he suffered a heat stroke. The following day, as he became delirious and took his own life. His death was attributed to delirium caused by sunstroke, exacerbated by ongoing struggles with typhoid fever. Albert P. Morehouse was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Maryville.

Political History

In 1872, Morehouse was selected as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention held in Baltimore. He returned as a delegate again in 1876 for the convention in St. Louis. That same year, he entered the political arena by running for the state legislature, where he achieved victory by defeating the incumbent, H. M. Jackson, by a margin of 197 votes. During the January 1877 session, Morehouse expressed his frustrations in a letter to the Nodaway Democrat, lamenting that the "legislative mill grinds slow" and describing the atmosphere in Jefferson City as dull and gloomy.

Morehouse's political career continued to gain momentum, and in 1882, he successfully campaigned for state representative once again. His growing public service experience and connections in Jefferson City laid the foundation for his next major political move: the office of lieutenant governor. In 1884, he shared the Democratic ticket with John S. Marmaduke, and together they carried the state. After Governor Marmaduke passed away in December 1887, Morehouse assumed the role of governor and served out the remainder of the term.

Throughout his tenure as lieutenant governor, the Morehouse administration faced various challenges, particularly labor unrest among coal miners in Macon County. In response to increasing violence, Morehouse took decisive action by calling upon the Missouri National Guard in December 1888 to restore order. His administration also made strides in educational and public health initiatives. With federal funds allocated to land-grant colleges through the Hatch Act passed by Congress in 1887, Morehouse established an agricultural experiment station at the University of Missouri's College of Agriculture.

In addition to educational reforms, Morehouse supported appropriations for the Missouri Board of Health. When a smallpox outbreak occurred in Adair and Schuyler counties in 1888, he issued a proclamation that included quarantine regulations recommended by the board. Furthermore, Morehouse advocated for the appointment of independent bank examiners and encouraged relocating the state insurance department's headquarters from St. Louis to Jefferson City. As a proponent of electoral reform, he urged the adoption of the Australian voting system, which utilized secret ballots to enhance the democratic process.

Historical Significance

Albert P. Morehouse's term as governor lasted just over a year, but one impactful decision was accepting funds from the Hatch Act, which benefited the University of Missouri's College of Agriculture. This funding transformed agricultural practices throughout the state by facilitating advancements in agricultural education and research, laying the groundwork for future innovations in farming methods.

Additionally, Morehouse was a strong advocate for electoral reform, particularly the implementation of the Australian voting system that utilizes secret ballots. Although this initiative did not take effect during his brief tenure, his unwavering support for the system set the stage for its eventual adoption by his successor, Gov. David Francis.