Morgan, Thomas, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30; P. O. Webster; born
in Bourbon county, Kentucky, Sept. 15, 1817; His father, David Morgan,
was a native of Virginia, and his grandfather, who came to this
country about 1747, was born in Wales; his mother, whose name was
Hughbanks, was a native of Indiana; young Morgan lived in Kentucky
until twelve years of age, when his father moved to Scott county,
Indiana; there he was principally raised; came to this county in 1848;
he bought a half section of land of Simeon Ballard, giving for it his
wagon, a pair of oxen and a colt, which was all he possessed in the
world; but with indomitable courage and perseverance, good judgement
and economy, he has improved his farm and added to it until he now
owns 720 acres of good land; January 3, 1839, he married Miss Polly
Ballard, a native of Indiana; by this union they have eight children,
two of whom now are living; Page B. and Hattie Ann (wife of James
Morrison, of this county); Mrs. Morgan died October 27, 1856; he
married again to Miss Mary A. McBride, of Pennsylvania, February 15,
1859; they have three children; Elmira (now Mrs. William Carmichiel,
of this county), Jennie and Thomas A.; have lost one son; Mr. Morgan
has been closely identified with the interests, growth and development
of the county; he has held various offices of trust in his township;
is a man well preserved in years; naturally a social man and is
respected by all who know him.
From: The History of Keokuk County, Iowa, page 790 (English River Twp.)
published by Union Historical Company, Des Moines, IA. 1880.
At Wisconsin State Historical Soc. Library, microfilm P78-2608.
Transcribed 1994 by Lyman Morrison
Also, page 591 (history of English River Township):
"Thomas Morgan settled in 1847"
Page 304: "The first settlements in the vicinity of English River were
in 1845... Afterward ... John Ballard made settlement further
west. Some later Thomas Morgan came"
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