Edwin H. Conger

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Edwin Hurd Conger (March 7, 1843May 18, 1907) was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and banker from Illinois and Iowa.

Conger (on left) and staff in the American legation, Beijing, circa 1901
Conger (on left) and staff in the American legation, Beijing, circa 1901
Conger and family in foreground, with 9th Infantry Regiment lined up before the Meridian Gate, Forbidden City, Beijing, circa 1901
Conger and family in foreground, with 9th Infantry Regiment lined up before the Meridian Gate, Forbidden City, Beijing, circa 1901

Born in Knox County, Illinois, Conger graduated from Lombard College in 1862 and during the Civil War enlisted as a private in Company I of the 102nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, later being promoted to captain and brevetted major. At the close of the war, he studied law, graduated from Albany Law School in 1866 and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Galesburg, Illinois. Conger moved to Dexter, Iowa in 1868 and engaged in stock growing, banking and agricultural pursuits. He was elected treasurer of Dallas County, Iowa in 1877, being reelected in 1879, and was elected Iowa State Treasurer in 1880, being reelected in 1882. He was elected a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1884, serving from 1885 to 1890. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures from 1889 to 1890. Conger was appointed Ambassador to Brazil by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, serving until 1893, was appointed Ambassador to China by President William McKinley in 1898, serving until 1905 and was appointed Ambassador to Mexico by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905, resigning later the same year. He died in Pasadena, California on May 18, 1907 and was interned in Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California.

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Political offices
Preceded by
Hiram Y. Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 7th congressional district

March 4, 1885October 3, 1890
Succeeded by
Edward R. Hays
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Robert Adams, Jr.
United States Minister to Brazil
September 27, 1890September 9, 1893
Succeeded by
Thomas Larkin Thompson
Preceded by
Thomas Larkin Thompson
United States Minister to Brazil
9 August 18976 February 1898
Succeeded by
Charles Page Bryan
Preceded by
Charles H. Denby
United States Ambassador to China
January 19, 1898April 4, 1905
Succeeded by
William W. Rockhill
Preceded by
Powell Clayton
United States Ambassador to Mexico
March 8, 1905August 3, 1905
Succeeded by
David E. Thompson
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