Edwin Hanson Webster

Edwin Hanson Webster (March 31, 1829 – April 24, 1893) was a U.S. congressman from Maryland, serving the second district for two terms from 1859 until 1865. Prior to the American Civil War, Webster was a lawyer and Maryland state senator from 1855 to 1859. In the summer of 1862, he recruited the 7th Maryland Infantry Regiment and served as colonel until he returned to Congress on January 1, 1863. He resumed command of the regiment from March 4, 1863 and resigned his commission in September to return to Congress. In 1864, he drafted a military code for the Maryland state militia. After July 1865, he was twice a collector of customs at Baltimore, a lawyer in private practice and president of the Harford National Bank in Harford County, Maryland.

Early life Edwin Hanson Webster was born on March 31, 1829, near Churchville, Maryland, to Martha (née Hanson) and Henry Webster. Webster received a classical training, and attended the Churchville Academy and later the New London Academy of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Dickinson College of Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1847, and afterwards taught school and studied law at the office of Otho Scott of Bel Air, Maryland. He taught at a classical school near his father's home for eighteen months. He was admitted to the bar in 1851, and commenced practice in Bel Air.

Early career and American Civil War In 1851, prior to being admitted to the bar, Webster was nominated as a Whig for the office of state's attorney, but lost by a margin of ten votes to William H. Dallam. A list of Maryland appointments, including Webster's, was in the pocket of Lincoln during his assassination. Afterwards, he resumed the practice of his profession in Bel Air until he was again appointed collector of customs by President Chester A. Arthur on February 17, 1882. He served as collector until February 23, 1886. In 1882, he engaged in banking, which he followed until his death. After his retirement, Webster served as president of the Harford National Bank until his death.

Personal life Webster married Caroline H. (née McCormick) Earl in June 1855. They had at least four children, J. Edwin, Ida M., Bessie and Caroline H. His daughter Bessie married William H. Harlan, a Bel Air educator and law partner of his son J. Edwin.

Webster died in Bel Air on April 24, 1893. He is interred in Calvary Cemetery, near Churchville.