Descendancy Narrative of John Morgan by Charles J. Vella, Ph. D

When less than 3 years old Max sang a solo before an audience that filled the Presbyterian Church at Clarence. He stood on the rostrum’ edge and sang all the verses of America from memory.

At 11 years of age he began working on farms during the summer vacations and from then on he was self-supporting as far as spending money and paying for his clothes.

His pets were goats, rabbits, cats, dogs and pigeons. The goats were banned after eating some of his sisters’ starched peticoats off the clothesline.

Max had a fine tenor voice. With 5 other Glenwood youths that met every night after their evening meal he joined with them on a nearby street corner where they would sing for a half hour or more. Some of their favorite songs were “In the Glooming,” “Old Black Joe” and “My Old Kentucky Home.” They always ended by singing “Good Night Ladies.”

Max was prominent in football, basketball and baseball while in high school. He attended Sunday School at the Congregational Church while in Glenwood.

Max worked his way thro’ the State Agricultural College and with his mother’s financial help he graduated from I.S.A.C. at Ames in 1918. He was a member of the Beta Tha Pi fraternity.

Max played basketball while in college also football. He was capt. of the college basketball team in his Sr. year and was always mentioned in the newspapers as a star player. On Jan. 3, 1917 the Des Moines Register a state newspaper from Des Moines, Iowa came out with huge black letters on its sports page announcing that Iowa State College was plunged into deep mourning because Capt. Morgan was ineligible to play. Max’s coach had put him in for 3 min. in a contest when Max was a freshman. At the first of the year his case had been bro’t up and it was decided that he could play his senior year. Later on his case was reviewed and he was not allowed to play. The following article is taken from the “Iowa State Student” paper during the 1917 to 1918 season:

News Editor this issue:

E.S. Hurwich

A True Sport

Captain Max Morgan has been lost to the team through a letter technicality. His ineligibility came as a blow to him and to the team. No man in the state last year displayed a keener ability towards the winter sport than Morgan and he was lauded by the sport critics on every selection. Things looked rather gloomy when the season started out this year but Coach Walter and his captain started out on a presumably hopeless task. They were successful to a great extent and had fairly bright prospects to work with when the technicality threw the gears out of acitvity. Max has been in the game because he likes it and he is going to stick with his team because he likes the sport and because he wants his team to come out a winner. Every afternoon and evening since he was declared ineligible he has been on the floor with his mates. He started out the season with hopes of placing his team among the front ranks and he will not see these hopes shattered if he does have to remain on the sidelines and watch other members of the team battleling for the Cardinal and Gold. He has always been a true sport and the law has not dampened his spirit or enthusiasm.

(In the margin of the article Max wrote: Ames, Ia. I had played 3 min. in previous year Mr. 1^st to 10 so lost out that time in 1918. Next year rule was changed in Mo. Valley Conference to protect anyone playing in less than 4 games. This editorial was the greatest compliment ever paid to me so I always thought.)

Max often speaks of the fine training his college coach gave him. Max never was put out on fouls in any game with other teams while playing basketball at Ames College.

In 1915 Max with his sister Elouise as housekeeper farmed for his Uncle Fred Houghton near Albion for 1 year. He wanted this experience before graduating.

When World War I was declared Max wanted to enlist at once. Influential Professors at college persuaded Max to finish his college work first. After graduating he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he worked for the Government in a “Corn Program.” On June 20, 1918 Max enlisted at Marshalltown, Iowa in the army. He was sent to the Motor Transportation Division at Ames, Iowa for training. July 19, 1918 Max was promoted to Corporal of Company A. Training Department.

Aug. 12, 1918 he was promoted to acting Sergeant of the above company.

Aug. 21, 1918 he was sent to Camp Pike, Ark. as a private to take officer’s training Troop R.O.T.C.

Dec., 1918 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant Company 4, Battalion 2, I.C.O.T.I. Camp Pike, Arkansas.

Dec. 3, 1919 Max received his discharge.

Max tried in various ways to be sent overseas but was not successful. He was in the reserves for five years. In 1919 Max went to Mandan, N. Dak. where for 3 years he was County Agricultural Agent.

In 1922 Max became affiliated with the State College at Fargo, N. Dakota as a State Livestock Specialist.

While traveling in his work Max met his future wife.

Max was a member of the Gilbert Grafton #2 American Legion Post at Mandan, North Dakota.

After his marriage Max and his wife joined the Gethsemene Cathedral-Episcopal Church in Fargo, N. Dakota. He served on the Church board for 1 year. He also joined the Masonic Lodge and the Country Club.

Max died July 28, 1961 Interred Oct. 24, 1961 at Arlington National Cemetary, Section 36, Grave 1222.

In 1925 Max became Production Manager for Fairmont Creamery at Moorehead, Minn. within commuting distance from Fargo. He held this position for 11 years. During this time he specialized in standard-bred Bronze Turkeys. Beginning with 150 trukey hens and 17 toms Max built the flock up to 4000 turkeys. Hundreds of extra turkey eggs were sold for hatching. In 1929 “Pat” the head of the turkey flock who weighed 42 pounds at one year of age was grand champion turkey at the Minnesota State Fair. Other prize winning turkeys in this flock were Grand Champion Bronze Tom at the N. Dakota State Poultry show: 3^rd prize Bronze hen & First prize pullet at the All-American Turkey show and First Prize pullet at the Red River Valley Poultry and Turkey show. Max demonstrated to the N. W. farmers how to raise turkeys in steam colony brooder houses all on wire mesh, then on alfalfa fields to avoid having coccidiosis infections. It became very serious among turkey raisers. The Fairmont Creamery Purchased 100 or more carloads of turkeys for their Eastern sales plants.

In 1936 Max started his own creamery in a building he owned in Fargo, N. Dakota. He called it “The Million Dollar Creamery.” He made 5 different kinds of ice cream, spd milk, dairy products and orange juice. In Dec. 1942 Max felt he must do more to help in the war effort. He left his creamery in charge of his wife and a manager and went to Washington, D. C. where he worked for O. P. A. in the former census building, on a regulation set up to ration milk especially for the benefit of children. There were shortages in many localitites in the U. S. Max was selected to represent the milk companies in the 8^th Area of the U. S.

While working at Washington, D. C. Max was taken seriously ill with a heart ailment. Because of his long continued illness he sold the creamery he had owned for 11 years and retired. Their lovely home was sold to John Kennelly of Mandan, N. Dakota for $45,000. Max and his wife tried various parts of Calif. and Florida before deciding on settling in St. Petersburg 8, Florida where they built a new home in 1953 at 5-158 Avenue, Redington Beach.

Long days of leisure did not please Max. He started a fruit nursery at Largo, Florida six miles from his home. There he raised Lychee Fruit trees from China. They are a bright red fruit, with a rough skin, that grows in clusters. They are large as a prune and have a seed like a cherry pit. Their taste is a little like a grapefruit. Max had 4000 trees in 1 gallon, 3 gallon and 5 gallon containers. They sold from $5.00 to $125.00 a tree. Above them was a wire netting covered with moss. The heavy lifting of the tubs of those Max sold proved to be too much of a strain on his heart and after several years he sold the nursery in Sept., 1954.

All the fine qualities that Max displayed as a son and brother he used to make his home a happy place and his three children all speak of their unusually happy childhood. Their Fargo home was the rendezvous for all young people who behaved. Each child belonged to a different “gang.” Often all three groups would be in the Morgan home at the same time with “Mom and Dad” joining one group on second floor with radio or ukeles then going to first floor to look in on the group on first floor using the grand piano as an accompaniment to some of the 470 songs they sang. The older daughter Janet kept an account of those sung the most. A third group would be in the basement rumpus room with a radio going. There was a ping pong and pool table, a gas stove for candy making, a malted milk electric mixer and always 8 gallon cans of different flavored ice cream. One night there were 48 young people at the Morgan home. No smoking or drinking was ever allowed. Max always treated his young friends to ice cream cones on Hallowe’en. One year he treated 123. Many nights the young people would gather in the 21’ by 36’ living room with the lights out and sit in front of the fireplace while they sang. This fireplace in which 24” long white birch logs were burned was an antique hand carved black walnut fireplace carved by Marian’s grandfather who lived just short of 100 years. It for many years was on display in the Cincinnatti, Ohio University Art Center. The Fargo home was filled with beautiful antiques some of which are now in the home of the second daughter Juliet. The Houghton black walnut pieces in Morgan home were given to Max’s sister Genevieve Morgan-Robertson of Mpls., Minn.

Max and his sister Imogene worked six years on the Houghton genealogy and have for seven years been working on the Morgan line. Max spent one week in Wash., D. C. with two professional genealogists, and with his wife toured North Carolina hunting for clues to the ancestors.

Max is a strong Democrat.

Marion Fry- Morgan wife of Maxwell Morgan was one of three daughters and one son born to Wilfred Mason Fry and Mary Camilla Buckingham-Fry. She was born August 13, 1898 at Terrace Park, Ohio. She graduated from High School at Terrace Park and rec’d her A. B. degree at the Univ. of Ohio in Cincinnati in 1918. She rec’d her M.A. degree at Columbia Univ. in New York City, N. Y. in 1923 in foreign languages. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.

In 1922 Marion toured France, Switzerland and England.

On June 7, 1923 she was married to Maxwell Morgan. In Fargo, N. Dakota she, with all her family, belonged to the Episcopal Church.

Marion majored in Foreign languages, particularly French, and graduated from the Univ. of Paris, France in 1919. She taught French in Univ. of Cincinnati also at Columbia Univ. She tutored Professors at State College of Agriculture in N. Dakota for two years in their work towards a master’s degree. She speaks French, Spanish and Italian.

While living in Fargo, N. Dakota Marian belonged to Women’s Fine Arts Club, Women’s University Club, the round Table Club and the Country Club. She played the piano and pipe organ for church. Her mother was State Regent of the D. A. R. in Ohio. Marian is not a member altho’ she is eleigible. She has traveled all over the United States.

Children born to Marian Fry-Morgan and Maxwell Morgan:

1.) Janet Morgan

Born: Feb. 2, 1926 at Fargo, North Dakota

Mother: Marian Fry-Morgan

Father: Maxwell Morgan

Married: John Albert Larson, Jr.

Husband’s father: John Albert Larson

Husband’s mother: Anna Nerd-Larson

Husband born: March 30, 1923 at Little Rock, Arkansas

Education: She graduated from High School in Fargo is 1943. She attended the Univ. of Michigan at Ann Arbor and graduated with an A. B. in English in 1947. In 1950 Janet attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Chicago, Ill. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Janet was president of her junior class in high school. She sang in the H. S. A Capella Choir. Learned to play the piano. She sang in the Glee Club at Ann Arbor.

As a child Janet was a faithful attendant of the Episcopal Church in Fargo. After her marriage she joined the 4^th Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Ill.

After finishing college Janet was Market Research Investigator for Proctor and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio. This work entailed traveling all over the U. S.

She served as Secretary of the Hearing Clinic of Norhtwestern Univ. at Evanston, Ill.

On Aug. 15, 1949 Janet was married to John Albert Larson, Jr. in the Gethsemene Cathedral of the Episcopal Church, Fargo, N. Dakota. Their first home was an apt. in Evanston, Illinois.

After Janet’s marriage she not only kept house, assisted her husband in his work by typing but she had a full time position as Sales Correspondent with Rand McNally and Company at Skokie, Illinois.

Janet’s hobbies are record collecting and reading.

For two years Janet and family lived at Taliwa Court 136-B, Knoxville, Tenn. where John taught as well as studied at the University until Aug. 1955.

John Albert Larson’s education: Field of Commerce, Major in Accounting. Little Rock Junior College-Little Rock, Ark. 1943-1943. Louisiana Polytechnic Institute-Ruston, La. (Navy V-12) 1943-1944. Harvard Business School-Boston, Mass. (Navy Supply) 1943-1944. Northwestern University-Evanston and Chicago, Ill. 1946-1948 M. B. A. degree.

By examination (Illinois) May, 1949 C.P.A. Degree. Field of Political Science, Major in Public Administration, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. 1950-1953. Disertation toward the Ph.D. degree concerns “State-Local Fiscal Relations in Arkansas.” Field work was done in April and Aug., 1953.

Military Service: Apprentice Seaman, V-12, USNR-under instruction at La. Polytechnic Institute at Ruston, La. 1943-1944.

Midshipman and Ensign, supply Corps, U. S. N. R. under instruction at Harvard Business School, Boston, Mass. 1944-1945.

Ensign and Lieutenant (Junior grade), S. C. USNR-Supply and disbursing officer, USS. Stickell (DD8S8)1946-46. Member of inactive reserve as (?),SC.(?) 1946-date.

Occupations: Lecturer in Acconting-Northwestern University – 1949. Primary responsibility-preparing readings in advanced Theory in Accounting.

Instructor in Accounting-Northwestern 1949-1952 (In 1951 –1952 prepared instructor’s Manuals for Fundamentals of Accounting and Principles of accounting (Ronald Press. 1952) for the author, David Jimmelblau.)

Social Campaign Assistant to Gov. Syd. McMath in re-election campaign – summer, 1950.

Research Associate in Univ. at Knoxville, Tenn., a two year appointment beginning Sept. 1, 1953 to make a study of the inducements set up by municipalities in Tenn. to get industry to come in. The study is being sponsored jointly by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research in the University’s College of Business Administration and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service in the Extension Division of the University.

Field’s of interest: American Government, with emphasis on state and local government. At the federal level, public policy and public administration. (Research and writing interests: Public budgeting and finance. The group in the poitical process)

Member-Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill.

Organizations:

Beta Alpha Psi (accounting fraternity)

American Political Science Association

Beta Gamma Sigma (Commerce Fraternity)

American Assoc. of University professors

American Accounting Association

Hobbies:

Reading

In Aug., 1955 John and Janet Larson moved to Ann Arbor, Mich. Where John is post-doctoral instructor in Univ. Their address is 3431 Norwood Ave., Ann Arbor Mich.

John Maxwell Larson

Born: Nov. 17, 1953 at Knoxville, Tenn.

Mother: Janet Morgan-Larson

Father: John Albert Larson, Jr.

He has been nick-named “Bo”. At the age of one year he has learned to sing duets with his Grandfather Max Morgan. We must admit Bo’s words consist mostly of Ah Ah-to the tunes.

2.) Juliet Morgan

Born: May 31, 1929 at Fargo, N. Dakota

Mother: Marian Fry-Morgan

Father: Maxwell Morgan

Married: Stanley Anthony Gorski on Aug. 3, 1948

Husband born: March 31, 1926

Husband’s Father: Stanley Gorski

Husband’s mother: Anna Gralack-Gorski

Juliet was a Bluebird and a Camp Fire Girl, played basketball in High School and was active in all H. S. sports. She learned to play the piano, had the lead in three H. S. plays and was always active in all H. S. drama classes. She graduated from Central Senior High School in Fargo, N. Dakota in 1945. From 1945 to 1947 Juliet attended Northwestern Univ. at Evanston, Ill. where she met her husband who was a star football player on the Univ. team. She specialized in English and Speech courses at the Univ. In 1948 Juliet attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School of Chicago, Ill.

While in High School Juliet belonged to several local clubs. In college she belonged to the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

On Aug. 3, 1948 Juliet was married to Stanley Anthony Gorski in the Cathedral of the Gethsemene Episcopal Church in Fargo, N. Dakota.

Juliet and Stanley’s first home was in Richmond, Indiana. Their second home was in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1953 they bo’t a home at 5554 Sunnywood Lane, Cincinnati 24, Ohio.

Juliet’s hobbies are golfing, gardening, modeling for Jennys, Paques, Shillitoes and Giddings; Volunteer work with the Central Volunteer Work of Cincinnati, Ohio where she not only assisted at the pre-natal Clinic at Gerneral Hospital, she also amused the children of Children’s Hospital by reading or playing with them.
From the Cincinnati newspaper:

“Cincinnati is a better city because of such citizens as Mrs. Stanley A. Gorski and her fellow volunteers. It would be an even better city if their ranks could be swelled.”

Juliet was a faithful attendant at her parents Episcopal Church in Fargo, N. Dakota. After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio she joined the College Hill Grace Episcopal Chruch and is a member of the Church Guild. She is a member of the Psi Iota Psi a local social Sorority and the Alumnae group of Gamma Phi Beta. In 1952-53 she was the local correspondent for “Crescent” the sorority’s National magazine. In 1953 she was the Pan-Hellenic representative of the chapter.

Stanley Anthony Gorski son of Stanley and Anna Gralack-Gorski was born March 31, 1926 at Milwaukee, Wis. He was married August 3, 1948 at Fargo, N. Dakota to Juliet Morgan.

He graduated from High School in Milwaukee. While in H. S. he was active in all athletic sports and belonged to several local clubs. He attended Northwestern Univ. at Evanston, Ill. where he met his future wife. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was a star member of the Univ. football team.

Since marriage Stanley has worked for the Crossley Corporation and his hobbies are golfing and gardening.

Children of Stanley Anthony Garski and Juliet Morgan:

Gail Gorski first child born to Stanley A. and Juliet Morgan-Gorski. She was born June 19, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gail seems to be fol’g in the athletic footsteps of her parents by being able at 9 months to walk all over her home. In 1955 her grandfather Max Morgan intends to see that she has swimming lessons while she is visiting him in Florida in March.

Stanley Morgan Gorski second child born to Stanley A. and Juliet Morgan-Gorski. He was born October 28, 1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

3.) Maxwell Buckingham Morgan

Born: July 16, 1929 at Fargo, North Dakota

Mother: Marian Fry-Morgan

Father: Maxwell Morgan

Married: Sept. 6, 1952 at Haines City, Fla.

Wife: Janet Scudder Gerard born June 15, 1931

Wife’s Father: Turpin Gerard, Jr.

Wife’s Mother: Frances Johnson-Gerard

Max Jr. played football and basketball in H. S. His father spent many hours teaching his son baseball, the sport Max, Jr. was most interested in. He learned to play the piano and in H. S. sang with the A Capella Choir. He was Pres. of his Senior Class and graduated from Central Senior High School in Fargo, N. Dakota in 1947.

While attending Northwestern Univ. at Evanston, Ill. Max, Jr. followed his father’s example by working his way thro’ college. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and lived at the S. A. E. Frat. House during his college days. He graduated in 1951 with the degree of B.B.A.

Because of weak eyesight Max, Jr. could not enlist in the Air or Navy branches of the service as he wished to do. While waiting for his Army service to start he worked as a salesman for Firestone Co. at Evanston, Ill.

On Sept. 4, 1951 Max, Jr. was inducted into the Counter Intelligence Corps taking his training at Baltimore, Maryland where he was top honor student and rec’d a special letter of congratulations from his commanding officer.

He was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for further training. His address being 501^st C.I.C. Detachment c/o G. 2 Section, 1^st Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas. The fol’g letter to Max, Jr.’s parents unknown to him speaks for itself.

501^st Counter Intelligence Corps

Detachment,

1^st Armored Division

Fort Hood, Texas

15 January, 1953

5-158^th Ave.,

Redington Beach,

St. Pertersburg 6, Florida

I will shortly be leaving the 501^st Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment as Commanding Officer of your son, Maxwell B. Morgan, Jr. I feel an obligation to advise you of his progress in his chosen professional army field. It is a great pleasure to tell you that Maxwell’s work while with this organization has been outstanding and that his efforts have materially assisted in earning this unit outstanding recognition during the time he has served in it. His ability, conduct and morale has been exemplary and I am extremely proud to have had him and others like him in the organization.

You also, can be proud of the contribution he is making to the Service and of the personal record he is making for himself.

I wish your son continued success in the future whether in the army or in civilian life for with such men as he lies the strength and future of our country.

(signed) William M. Hartness

Major Artillery

Commanding

Max, Jr. rec’d his discharge from the army in Sept., 1953.

He was married to Janet Scudder Gerard on Sept. 6, 1952 at Haines City, Fla., only daughter of Turpin Gerard, Jr. and Frances Johnson-Gerard of Haines City, Fla. Their first home was at Killeen, Texas. After Max, Jr. Rec’d his discharge he and his wife moved to Madeira Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla. where they lived in an apt. while Max, Jr. helped his father with his Lychee’ fruit nursery for 6 months. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where Max, jr. went to work for the Formica Co. In 1954 he was sent to Philadelphia, Penn. by the Formica Company who assured him he would be kept there for 8 to 10 years. Max and his wife bo’t a home in 1955 at 23 Woodcrest Road, Wallingford Summit R#20, Media, Penn.

Janet Scudder Gerard, only daughter of Turpin Gerard, Jr. and Frances Johnson-Gerard of Haines City, Florida was born June 15, 1931 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Haines City High School, Haines City, Florida. She is a pianist. In 1949 to 1951 she attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and in 1951 and 1952 she attended the Univ. of Fla. in Gainsville, Fla. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Social Sorority and of the Episcopal Church.

Janet was married Sat. Sept. 6, 1952 to Maxwell Buchingham Morgan, only son of Maxwell and Marian Fry-Morgan. Rev. Barclay Johnson of Miami, Florida performed the ceremony in the Little St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, Florida.

D.) Elouise Morgan

Born: June 14, 1896 at Clarence, Iowa

Father’s name: James Hamilton Morgan

Mothers name: Lydia May Houghton-Morgan

Married: June 14, 1917 in the Capitol Hill Christian Church in Des Moines, Ia.

Husband: Merle Elwood Wade

Husband born: Nov. 29, 1891 in Osceola, Iowa

Husband’s father: Charles Harvey Wade

Husband’s mother: Alice Hedges-Wade

Elouise entered grade school at Clarence, Iowa continuing her schooling at Sigourney, Iowa. She entered high school at Glenwood, Iowa where she graduated on May 21, 1914.

While living at Sigourney Elouise took violin lessons from Mrs. Rhetta Minteer and became an attist on that instrument. She played basketball in Glenwood H. S. and learned to swim, dance, play tennis, ice and roller skate. She was an excellent figure skater on ice.

Elouise was a member of the Glenwood H. S. Declamatory classes and won several honors along those lines. She sang in the Glee Club.

She joined the Congregational Church at Glenwood and belonged to the S. S. and C. E. Society.

While in Glenwood H. S. Elouise learned to sew in Domestic Science classes. She became as fine a seamstess as her mother. One of her early dresses was made “hobble style” the fashion fad of the day. The morning Elouise wore this dress for the first time her mother as well as all the neighbors were peeping out their windows to see if Elouise could walk with a dress so tight below the knees. Just as Elouise started sedately across the yard on a short cut to school the last bell to school began ringing. Elouise tried to hurry. It was impossible with the hobble skirt. She pulled the tight part above her knees and ran. By the time Elouise reached her seat in the school building her hobble skirt had become slit from ankle to knee. Elouise calmly attended forenoon classes in a dress that would become a fashion years later for many movie stars-but without the petticoat that Elouise wore under her hobble skirted dress.

After Mother Morgan became a widow she moved to Albion, Iowa to live with her mother Clarinda E. Houghton. Elouise went with her mother.

Elouise attended State Teacher’s College in Peru, Neb. for several years. She left college to be housekeeper for her brother Max for the year he farmed his Uncle Fred Houghton’s farm near Albion. After Max returned to I. S. A. C. Elouise taught violin lessons in Albion, Liscomb, Union, Steamboat Rock, Wellsburg and Holland all in Iowa. It was while teaching violin that Elouise met her future husband Merle Elwood Wade. He was a salesman for Armour Co. They were married in the Capitol Hill Christian Church in Des Moines, Iowa on June 14, 1917. After their marriage they lived in Webster City, Iowa and Merle continued his sales work.

They moved to Lincoln, Neb. where they ran a grocery store. Elouise attended the Univ. of Nebraska at Lincoln. Merle and Elouise taught school for a year at Burwell, Nebraska. Elouise taught five years in the Lincoln Nebraska Schools. They toured the Western states looking for a location where they wanted to live. They lived a few years at Ventura, Whittier and Long Beach. For many years they have lived at 3439 Bandini Ave., Riverside, Calif. where they bo’t a large former ranch house with several lots. Since Oct. 2, 1939 Elouise has run a Stay and Play Nursery school for children between 2 years and 5 years. She in 1955, had 45 children and employed 5 ass’t teachers and a nurse. In 1955 she enlarged her home and also had a small cottage built on her lots to accommodate the large attendance.

Elouise was Brownie Mother of Pack #7, was active in girl Scouts, P.T.A., church and other community activities. She is a member of the First Congregational Church in Riverside, Calif. She is a social member of the Riverside Jr. Aid Children’s League, Association for Mental Hygiene Society and National Association for nursery Schools.

Elouise found a kindred soul in her husband in their love of athletics. All home football, baseball and basketball games played in the evening found them present as ardent fans. In 1954 they were honored for their faithful attendance by being presented with season tickets. In 1955 their photos were published in the Riverside paper and the editor gave them a nice writeup for their faithful attendance to the city H. S. Athletic games.

Elouise taught her two daughters to become as fine a seamstress as herself and her mother. She is a Republican.

Merle Elwood Wade only son of two children born to Charles Harvey Wade and Alice Hedges-Wade, was born Nov. 29, 1891 in Osceola, Iowa.

Merle graduated in 1909 from the Osceola H. S. In 1922 he graduated with an A.B. degree from the Univ. of Lincoln, Neb. He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, Cross Country and Wrestling teams.

During World War I Merle haunted recruiting offices trying to enlist. Poor eyesight kept him out of any branch of service so he gave his spare time to civilian war aids.

For 22 years Merle has been with the Southern California Gas Co. in the sales and New Construction Departments.

Merle is a member of the First Congregational Church of Riverside, Calif., the Masonic Lodge and serves on the board of the city Y.M.C.A. where he has been an active member for years. He was educated in the law. Because of poor eyesight he was never able to practice.

With the help of his wife he cared for his aged parents in his home, later paying for their care in a nursing home until their deaths.

The wade home was always open to all their daughters friends.

Children:

1.) Joy Anne Wade-Moulton

Born: November 30, 1928 at the Lying In Hosp. in Oxward, California

Father’s name: Merle Elwood Wade

Mother’s name: Elouise Morgan-Wade

Education: B. A. University of California, 1950

M. S., Wellesley College, 1953

Religious affiliation: protestant

Honorary societies: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Chi Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, Pi Mu Epsilon, Delta Omega, Sigma Tau Sigma

Married: January 2, 1954 in the First Congregational Church, Riverside, Ca.

Husband: Edward Quentin Moulton

Husband born: November 16, 1926 at Kalamazoo, Michigan

Occupation: Professor, The Ohio State University. Teaches Engineering

Husband’s father: Burt Frederick Moulton

Husband’s mother: Esther Fairchild Moulton

Husband’s education: B. S., Michigan State College, 1947

M.S., Louisiana State University, 1948

PH.D., University of California 1956

Current address: 3187 S. Dorchester Rd., Columbus 21, ohio.

Children: Jennifer Fairchild Moulton b. Nov. 8, 1955 in the University Hospital at Columbus, Ohio. In Dec., 1955 she took an auto trip to see her Wade Grandparents at Riverside, Calif.

Jou’s early childhood was spent in Ventura and Long Beach. Her education started in the public schools in Riverside, Calif. Joy belonged to the Brownies, Girl Scouts and other local groups while attending Polytechnic High School in Riverside from which she graduated in 1946. Joy was co-editor of “Keala” her high school year book and was a member of Hi Tri. She was christened in the Community Church of Ventura, Calif. and is a member of the First Congregational Church at Riverside, Calif. She is a pianist and one of her hobbies is the camera.

Joy attended the Univ. of California at Berkeley, Calif. where she not only was active in the organizations connected with college work but throughout her college years she was always an honor student. She majored in Physical Education and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. Degree returning to take 1 year of graduate work toward her Master’s degree. While in college Joy was Chairman of Dormitory Council, Living Group Council and Athletic Reception Committee. She was a member of Mortar Board, Prytanean, Panile, Gavel and Quill, Nu Sigma Psi. In her Jr. & Sr. years she was a member of Women’s Judicials. In her Sr. year she was a reader. In 1947 Joy was Pres. of Women’s Dormitory Council and secretary of Mortar Board whose membership is limited to 20. In 1950 Joy was one of the 30 girls chosen from several thousand to have a 2 x 2 inch photo in the year book with a list of her activities listed under her photo. In 1948 Joy was one of 3 women chosen with 3 young men out of 6000 in their class by Dr. R. G. Sproul president of the Univ. to act on th Judicial Committee until they graduated. In 1949 Joy was chosen as graduate assistant to the dormitory mother. She tutored at the Univ. and on many occasions assisted her mother in her nursery school at Riverside, Calif. After finishing her Sr. year at the Univ. Joy taught 1 year of Physical Education at the Jr. High School at San Pablo, a suburb of Richmond, Calif.

In 1951 Joy flew to N.Y. on June 14, sailed June 16 with a party of Univ. girl friends for a 12 week tour of 11 European countries. An automobile the young ladies had purchased was waiting for them when the ship docked. They returned home the later part of Aug. Joy took many beautiful colored photos to add to her collection. She also bro’t home a beautiful piece of lace from Brussels, Belguim that later was used as a bridal veil for sister Diane.

Joy took advantage of a full scholarship given to her and finished her Master’s degree at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. attending from Sept., 1952 until June, 1953 when she graduated. She lived at Feske House during her year at Wellesley and was most active in many of the college activities. After her graduation Joy flew home to attend her sister’s wedding on Dec. 27, 1952.

During the summer and Fall of 1953 Joy taught Physical Education at Berkeley, Calif. In 1955 Joy is teaching Women’s Physical Education at Ohio State College, Columbus, Ohio.

2.) Diane Wade

Occupation: teacher

Home address: 751 Villa, San Hose, California

Birthplace: Long Beach, California

Born: May 10, 1930

Father’s name: Merle Elwood Wade

Mother’s name: Elouise Morgan-Wade

Married: Dec. 27, 1952 at First Congregational Church, Riverside, Calif.

Husband: Ronald Dennis Bernard

Husband’s birthdate: Dec. 18, 1928 at San Francisco, Calif. (1 of 3 sons)

Husband’s father: Bernhard R. Bernard of Atherton, Calif. born in Denmark.

Husband’s mother: Born in Denmark

Diane’s education: Entered grade school at Riverside, Calif. She was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. She held a class office from 8^th grade thro’ Polytechnic High School. She graduated from High School in 1948. Diane learned to play the piano and learned to be a fine seamstress. She was acitve and interested in all forms of athletics. In Sept., 1948 Diane started a four year course at the University of California in Berkeley, Calif. She made her own garments for college days, also drapes, cushions and bedspreads for her room. She lived in Stern Hall on the Univ. Campus in 1948. Later she lived in a dormitory with 90 other Univ. Women.

In 1952 Diane was Publicity Chairman for her Sophomore class play and helped stage it. She was counsular for orientation of the new students at the Univ. during 1952; served on the Rally committee and Sophomore Council.

Diane graduated on June 20, 1952 returning that year to take a year toward her Master’s degree.

During her Univ. days she worked at the Univ. library as did her sister Joy. She was active in all Univ. activivties and belonged to many organizations.

All during their college days their mother kept them supplied with cookies, often sending 18 dozen at a time several times a month.

Diane worked several summers as her mother’s assistant in the pre-kindergarten school.

The last winter vacation Diane spent at home her parents held open house for fifty of her Riverside friends. Once again these friends enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the Wades.

From 1950-52 Diane worked at the Library at Univ. of Calif. In 1953 she worked at the Insurance Company of North America at San Jose, Calif. Since then she has been teaching first grade.

Religious affiliation: Member of First Congregational Church of Riverside, Ca.

Education of Husband: Graduated from Sequoia High School, Calif. in 1946. Graduated from San Matee Jr. College, Calif in 1952. Entered college at San Jose College and finishes an A.A. course in June of 1955.

Ronald is a member of the Navy Reserves. In spring 1952 he spent two weeks in training at El Centne, Calif.

In 1946-1949 he worked for Bernard and Co., San Francisco, Calif. In 1951-1953 he worked at Carlray Co., San Carles, Calif.

1956 addresses of the following are:

John A. Larson (Janet Morgan) Edward Q. Moulton(Joy Wade)

3341 Norwood Ave. 3187 Dorchester

Pittsburg Village Columbia, Ohio

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Maxwell B. Morgan

23 Woodcrest Road

Wallingford Summit Rt. #20

Media, Penn.

Thumbnail Sketch of My Parents

Lurene Valentine-Morgan

My Father, Samuel Thomas (McCadden McCorkle) Balentine was born in Staunton, Virginia, (Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace), in 1845. It was the custom in the south at that time to name children after neighbors of whom the family was particularly fond, hence the McCadden and McCorkle-names which Dad dropped when he grew older. He lost his mother while still very young so was raised by an old Negro Mammy whom he dearly loved.

Dad never talked much about the War years, but I do know he was in a Southern Prison for a time. While still a young man he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and worked for the railroad, and at Peru, Indiana he was head Tinsmith for the railroad. His first wife died leaving a baby boy whom my mother raised along with her own eight children (Four boys and four girls of which I am the youngest.) My mother was born in Wabash, Indiana in 1852. Her maiden name was Martha Jane Grant, her Grandmother being a cousin of U. S. Grant. Her father died when she was a child and her Mother, Nancy Grant, married again, so mother went to live with her Grandparents. It is interesting to me to know that they lived for a time near Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She married my Father at Peru, Ind. and the two oldest children were born there. Following are the names of my brothers and sisters: Randolph Calvin, Martha Rebecca, Samuel Everett, Earl Holmes, Mamie Andrews, Jennie Florence, Grant McKinley and Lillie Lurene.

My mother’s Aunt, Mrs. John Wallace, lived in the State of Washington and she finally prevailed upon my folks to make the trek out there. (This is my great Aunt who died not long ago at the age of 104) In going to Washington, the folks made the trip by train to San Francisco, thence by boat to Seattle. How they got farther North to LaConner, I do not know, but there they took up a homestead. Contrary to the wishes of my mother, My Dad settled on a piece of high ground known as pleasant Ridge. The LaConnor Flats, now known as “The Garden Spot of the World,” at that time were covered with trees, sloughs, etc. and Dad couldn’t see the possibilities of its future development. My Mother said there was just a trail from the town of LaConner to the homestead and she had to look straight up through the tall tress to see the sky. The other six children were born here or in the vicinity.

My Father had a Tinshop in town in connection with the Hardware Store. For a time he walked back and forth to his work, a distance of three miles each way, and sometimes carried a sack of flour on his back, and always was loaded with other groceries. Later he acquired a horse and buggy. My mother being a practical nurse, was frequently called on cases, that is why I often visited school at the tender age of four, and finally started school at five. When I was twelve Dad sold the ranch and moved into LaConner so we four youngest children could have the advantage of a High School education. As is so often case in a large family, most of the older youngsters had to quit school after the eighth grade and help support the family.

It is interesting to note that Jimmie and I now own half of that former homestead. Since my Dad owned it, it has changed hands about a half dozen times.

Last home address: New Providence, Iowa

Birthplace: born on plantation near Boonville, North Carolina

Born: Oct. 29, 1868

Father’s Name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Came to New Providence, Iowa with her family in Nov. 1869. She was the only blonde child in the family. Hardin’s brother Solomon had red hair; perhaps Ellin’s blondeness came from her Uncle.

In August, 1870 Ellin became ill with erysipilis. She died on August 5, 1870 and was buried in the cemetery southeast of New Providence in the church yard of an early Methodist Church. The church still stands but is used for storing machinery. The cemetery is well kept.

The Family had no pictures of Ellin Annetta.
Riceville, Iowa

Wed. Nov. 1, 1950

Dear Max & Morgan Cousins,

Do you remember, Max, the letter you saw in Seattle from Milton S. Morgan of Robersville, Hawkins County, Tenn.? Dorothy Seim wrote asking to see it and her Uncle Jim told her that since it was written to her Grandmother (our Aunt Nancy) that she could see it, and also keep it. She sent the letter to me to see and the rest sounds like a fairy tale. Last weekend I entertained Milton Morgan’s daughter Rose Margaret Morgan now Mrs. Karl Peterson who lives at 2906-48^th Street Place, Des Moines 10, Iowa. She has lived there for over 20 years.

By writing to the town clerk at Rogersville, Tenn. I found out that our Grandfather Hardin Morgan had a brother Noah Morgan who as born Oct. 29, 1807, died June 3, 1891 somewhere in N. C. He married 1866 Martha F. Amos in N. C. Born Nov. 5, 1816. She died June 8, 1894. Both are buried at cemetery of Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren Hawkins Co., Tenn. at Mouth of Hickory Cove, 5 miles N. of Rogersville.

The Morgans were Irish and Swedish. The Welsh was from Dicca ---- Morgan—who was Noah & Hardin’s mother.

Just last week Rose Morgan-Peterson told me that there was also a sister Linda May Morgan who married—Ontgen but she knew nothing more of Grandpa Hardin Morgan’s sister.

Noah was the father of 10 children. (wife, Martha F. Amos)

Milton Stamp Morgan who was born 1841 in N. C. His first wife was Catherine Akered Conant. She was born on June 30, 1943 in Tenn. He was a Union soldier. I have his war record. They were parents of 8 children.

Sallie Frances Morgan born in Hawkins Co., Tenn., Aug. 4, 1867, died 1898.

Ida Ellen Morgan born in Hawkins Co., Tenn., June 5, 1869. Died 1933.

James Thomas Morgan born in Hawkins Co., Tenn., April 19, 1871, died 1945.

Noah Cadwell Jones Morgan born in Hawkins Co., Tenn., Aug. 14, 1873. Died 1943.

George Gideon Morgan born in Hawkins Co., Tenn., Oct. 20, 1875, died 1943.

Marion Rutherford Morgan born in Knox Co., Tenn., Feb. 26, 1878, died 1935.

Anna Mildred Morgan born in Knox Co., Tenn., Aug. 10, 1880, died 1929.

Charles Clarence Morgan born in Knox Co., Tenn., Oct. 17, 1882 lives at 1011 Farra Drive, Oklahoma City 6, Oklahoma.

I have a letter from this Chas. Morgan giving me these names and dates of the 8 children of Milton Morgan. Milton divorced his 1^st wife and moved to Dayton, Ohio where he married Margaret Smith. They had 1 child Rose Margaret Morgan. At 2 yrs. of age Rose’s mother died and later Milton married a third wife. She did not like Rose so Milton put Rose at 4 yrs. of age into the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home and Xenia, Ohio. It is a very fine Home for Soldiers and Sailors orphans or half orphans. Rose’s father Milton died when she was 17 yrs. old. Some neighbor at Dayton, Ohio let Rose know of her father’s death. Her stepmother did not let her know. Rose got to Dayton, Ohio just as the funeral procession was leaving her father’s home for the cemetery. She ran into a neighbor’s home and told him what had happened and that they were burying her father without her seeing him. This neighbor man ran and stopped the procession telling the undertaker what had happened. The undertaker put Rose in one of the carriages and at the cemetery opened the casket so she could see her father. Rose returned at once to Xenia, Ohio and the stepmother, without notifying Rose, sold off all his properties and disappeared. He was well-to-do but Rose never rec’d one cent. She stayed in this home until she was 18 yrs. old. She was educated there for business work and took a position as Sec’y to a Pres. of some organization at Dayton, Ohio where during World War I she met her husband Karl H. Peterson of Des Moines. He is an accountant for Green Construction Co. of Des Moines. One of her father’s brothers (Dr. Gideon Hill Morgan of Knoxville, Tenn.) shipped his auto to Ohio so he could use it to drive around Ohio and he visited Rose at Xenia.

Rose has pictures of this Uncle Gideon’s home in Knoxville where she visited in Oct. It is now a funeral home. The outside & some of the inside is as he built it. It is a beautiful and impressive home on a lake. Across from it lives a daughter of his. (I believe she is his daughter. Her name is Minnie ----.)

Rose had kept in touch with her Aunt Rose Morgan Vistle’s daughter in Dayton, Ohio and when she wrote her that they (Rose & Karl) were going down to the Smoky Mts. in Tenn. for their vacation this Ohio cousin asked her why she did not go to some town in Tenn. (can’t recall now) where a cousin lived. Rose & Karl did and it was there Rose learned for the first time of her father’s first marriage and that her half brother Charles Morgan was still alive. Rose had photos with her of all the homes she visited in Tenn. of our second and third cousins. They are beautiful. She said they were all prosperous. She is to write me their names and addresses. I tho’t of you, Max and Marian, were going south this winter that you might want to see some of these relatives. You would be given a royal welcome. I had a photo copy made for you, Max, of Milton’s letter. If you want it and these Morgan’s addresses so you may stop and see them please let me know. It is quite a task to copy them and no use sending them right now unless you want them.

While Rose & Karl were at some of these relatives my letter arrived asking for information. Rose was more than surprised to know that I, her 2^nd cousin, lived within 4 hrs. drive of her. As soon as they reached their home in Des Moines she wrote asking when they could visit us. We invited them to come last weekend and found them such delightful people that I know you will all enjoy them as much as we did. They said that holidays were such sad times for them because they didn’t know of any Iowa relatives. While all their friends were having family gatherings they always went alone to some café or hotel to eat.

To go on with Noah Morgan’s children’s names they are:

A.) Milton S. Morgan, as I wrote before.

B.) Minerva Morgan b. 1843 in N. C. Married Jacob M. Isenberg.

C.) William T. Morgan b. 1845.

D.) Pleasant B. Morgan born 1846.

Rufus C. Morgan b. 1848.

Noah Morgan, Jr. born 1850.

D. Gideon Hill Morgan b. Jan. 6, 1852.

Martha Morgan b. 1854. Married ---- Haynes.

Ella Frances Morgan b. 1856. M. ---- Bray.

Rose Morgan b. 1857. M. ---- Vistle.

Dr. Gideon Morgan had a son Dr. Clint H. Morgan of Knoxville, Tenn. I have letters from his widow. He also had a son Cornelius J. Morgan (Neil), Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, who is a wealthy stockman.

These southern Morgans all seemed to be prosperous. Guess Grandpa Morgan was also until he moved north.

Cornelius J. Morgan has written me and sent me his photo. He is 70 years old. His wife died 6 years ago. They had 7 children, 4 now living. He remarried 4 yrs. ago and has a wife 29 yrs. old and a 2 yr. old son Allen Joe. Dr. Gideon Morgan fathered 10 children. Those still living are Cora Moore and Elsie May Bondurant of Knoxville, Tenn. and this Cornelius J. Morgan.

It seems that these early Morgans were certainly prolific, weren’t they? Guess you, Dwight, are the only one of our generation that has not only lived up to the Morgan tradition of big families but you exceeded them all and I must write you, Dwight, what a fine wife and family Grace Hauser Grover wrote that you had. I do hope that some day I may visit you.

On Wed. Oct. 17, Vivian Clark Marshall (Mrs. Everette T. Marshall) of 1623½ E. 9^th Street, Des Moines, came to see us just for the day. She bro’t with her her mother, Mrs. Fred Clark (Birdie) of Nora Springs, Iowa and another 1^st cousin Grace Hauser Grover (Mrs. R. J. Grover, 31- Vine St., Richmond, Calif.). Grace left for her sisters Gay & Beulah Hauser, 1001-29^th St., Des Moines on the 20^th and we took Birdie back to her home in Nora Springs on Sun. the 22^nd. We had such a grand visit. The 19^th of Oct. Marg. drove Dr’s car and took Birdie, Grace, Vaughn and I to Decorah. We saw the 73 yr. old Norwegian Museum there. It is full of such beautiful and unique articles. We could have spent a week there. Occupies 3 floors and has 4 rooms on each floor. Then we went on to Spillville where the Bily (pronounced Billy) Bros. have there hand carved clocks in a museum in the home (2 stories) where Anton Dvorak yrs. ago wrote Humoresque. It was another grand house of antiques and beautiful articles.

If any of you come to N. Iowa it is well worth your time to visit these places.

Our house is still in the remodeling stage and until Don finishes up the season’s work on the farm where he now works guess it will remain as it is now.

Max Morgan, I don’t have your children’s addresses and where will you be this winter?

Grandpa Hardin Morgan’s war record as I rec’d from Department of the Army, Office of the Adjutant General, Wash. 25, D. C. is:

“Hardin Morgan aged 47 years, born in Stokes Co., N. Carolina and by occupation farmer, a private and corporal, Company H., 5^th Regiment, North Carolina Senior Reserves, Confederate States Army, enlisted 30 June 1864 (also shown as 7 July) at Yadkinville. The company muster roll for January and February, 1865, last on file, shows him present.

His name last appears on a Register for Confederate States Military Prison Hospital, formerly General Hospital No. 9, Salisbury, North Carolina dated 14 March, 1865.”

It was no doubt at this prison that he was a guard and refused to hunt for the Union escaped soldiers and he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot. I sent papers about that to you all before. He was truly a staunch character who stood for what he believed regardless of consequences.

Max, our great-grandfather “Alexis Tender, aged 44 years, born in Canada and by occupation a farmer, (place of birth also shown as Essex County Rhode Island) was enrolled 25 February, 1862 at Keene; was mustered into service as a private, Company C, 96^th Regiment New York Infantry, and was honorably discharged 24 September, 1862 at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on a surgeon’s certificate of disability, a private.” His granddaughter in Canada tho’t he died in a Soldier’s home in Wash. D. C. and buried there. So far I’ve found no trace.

Milton, Pleasant and Wm. Morgan all sons of Noah fought with the Union army. In one battle Rose says the Tenn. Morgans told her these 3 Morgans fought against some of their own cousins. I have the record of Milton and Pleasant but not Wm’s yet. Too many Wm. Morgans it was hard for them to determine which one I wanted.

“It has been informally ascertained from the Veterans Administration, Washington 25, D. C. that XC 2 692 809 pertains to the case of Milton S. Morgan, Corporal, Battery E, 1^st Regiment Kentucky Light Artillery, Civil War.

The records show that Milton S. Morgan, aged 22 years, born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, and by occupation a farmer, was enrolled 29 November, 1863 at Camp Nelson, Kentucky; was mustered into service on the same date as a private, Battery E, 1^st Regiment Kentucky Light Artillery, and was mustered out with the battery and honorably discharged as a Corporal, 1 August, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.”

Pleasant’s record from Wash. 25, D. C.:

“The records show that one Pleasant Morgan, aged 18 years, was enrolled 29 November, 1863 at Camp Nelson; was mustered into service on the same date as a private, Independent Battery E, Kentucky Light Artillery, and was honorably discharged as a private, 25 January, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.”

I am sending copies of this letter for your Morgan records to Florene Johnson, Dwight Morgan, my 4 children, Beulah Hauser, Max Morgan, Dorothy Seim, Birdie Clark and Aunt Judith. Please copy what you want to keep and pass it on to your brothers and sisters or sons and daughters so that all will have these records. I will see that my 2 sisters have copies.

Dorothy Seim has the original letter of Milton S. Morgan. The handwriting is beautiful and the spelling quaint. I have the negative of the photo taken of it and anyone who wants a copy may have one by sending a dollar for the print. I will send one to Beulah Hauser for the family history book as I feel she should not have to pay for any expenses when she does the history work. I also have negatives of our Great grandfather and grandmother White. Prints are 50¢ or 60¢ for each. I’ve forgotten size. I have none now but have some coming. Will know price & size then.

Mrs. Peterson or cousin Rose wants to be included in our Iowa Morgan picnic and I do hope that you will all feel as I do that it would be fine to invite her. She will copy down the names and addresses of all the Morgan relatives that she visited in the south this last month.

Hope all of you have purchased Beulah’s book of poetry The Wind Whispers. I think it is one dollar plus postage. It tells so much of her side of the family. I started tonight to copy down all the records of the Hardin Morgan descendants and will forward a copy when it is finished to the same ones as I do this letter to pass on. I have complete recoreds of Aunt Nancy’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also all of Aunt Lou’s, Aunt Mollie’s, Aunt Melissa’s, Aunt ----, Aunt Ellen, Uncle William, and part of Uncle Mason’s. Aunt Mat’s children’s names I have but only Glen’s is complete as to education, business, births, marriages and children. I will surely appreciate it if when you receive your copy if you will make any corrections. Please notify Beulah who is your historian and I’d like a correction for my own copy. My records came from Aunt Nancy, Birdie, Beulah, Florene, J. H. and A. J. They do not all agree so I’ve done the best I could. I have quite a few stories sent to me about the Aunts and Uncles that I hope to have copied for you all some day. I can’t seem to interest my two sisters Elousie and Genevieve in sending me their records so the J. H. Morgan side will be incomplete as will Uncle Drew’s and Aunt Mat’s. We are none of us growing younger and none of us really have the time to spend on this important work—yet the time to do it is now.

Hope by the time we meet next July I’ll have some more records for you. If any of you go to Bluffton, Ind. please hunt in the old cemetery for our White Great Grandparents first names. There is no record on file. We must have those names to trace back farther on that side.

Please remember I’m only doing this research to help Beulah. I enjoy it. Regards to all.

Imogene Uran
Pacific Grove, Calif.

1/2/40

Perry Morgan, Hardin Morgan’s father, was an immigrant from Wales. He claimed John Morgan of Revolutionary fame, as his great grandfather. He was born in Wales. Hardin Morgan was born in Amas (?) County, Virginia, and moved with his family to Stokes County, North Carolina, when but a small boy. He was born September 1, 1816, and died at Liscomb, Iowa, February 1, 1899.

Elizabeth Morgan, whose maiden name was White, was born March 25, 1823, and died at Liscomb, Iowa, May 26, 1896. Hardin Morgan and Elizabeth White were married October 7, 1841. There were 11 children born to this union. They have all passed over the bar except 3 living at this date, January 2, 1940; they are Janes Hamilton living at Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Emma Lodusca Humphreys Ralls now living at Eldora, Iowa, 77 years old; and A. J. Morgan, now living at Pacific Grove, California, in his 85^th year. Perry Morgan lived to be nearly 97 years old, and made his home with Hardin and Elizabeth Morgan for many years; she told this writer Perry Morgan was nearly 97 when he died.

Grandfather and Grandmother White were born in Henry (?) County, Virginia, and moved to Stokes County, North Carolina, where most of their children were born. Their parents were among the first settlers of the country, and came across the Atlantic Ocean on a sailboat which was shipwrecked in a storm, and they were 6 months before reaching the colonies, and nearly died of thirst and starvation on the boat before reaching land; as Mother Morgan has related to this writer, 2 or 3 times, they were English except one strain 4 generations back where there was a strain of Scotch came in. He was a gambler, horse racer, and owned a small tract of land which his wife and their children farmed. He had an Iron Chest which he kept locked all the time, and kept his money in it, all gold. His oldest son, whose name was Jethrow, had a white swelling on his right knee when a young man, and this knee was stiff and he was unable to work. His father was very bitter against him on this account, and threatened to kill him very often. The old man was a drinking man and when drunk was very disagreeable, and oftimes ran the family from the house; they would live in the woods till he left or sobered up. He got on a terrific drunk one day and had run the family away from the house with his gun. They escaped through a small patch of corn; Jethrow could not go as fast as the rest of them, and the old cuss took a shot at him and thought he had killed him. He went back to the house and began to study the matter over and finally made up his mind he would have to leave the country or he might be convicted and hung; so he left and was not heard of by his family for several years. In the meatime, his wife and the crippled son got some iron bars and pried the lid open on the Iron Chest, and took out $300, what they thought would take the boy through school as he was anxious to get an education. His mother sent him where she hoped the old man, if he did come back, would not find him until he got through school. He finally finished but in the meantime, he had been studying on an invention which he got a friend interested in. His friend loaned him money to get it patented, which he did, and sold it shortly after for several thousand dollars. In the meantime, the old man had drifted back home and started in his old trade, gambling and horse racing, and lost all his money. He put a mortgage on the little home and was about to lose it when Jethrow came home as he then was well off and thought his dad would not make him any trouble. It so happened he got home just in time to save their little home, which he did, and had it deeded to his mother, and fixed so the old man could not jeopardize it in any way. . . . This is the story of Mother’s ancestors, as Mother has related it to me several different times; it is related to you by A. J. Morgan.

Pacific Grove, Calif.

June 10, 1942

Relative to an estate held in England of $16,000,000. to which my mother was a direct heir, of which she learned through a cousin of hers, Jim Tumblin, of Virginia, who found out about this estate, went to New York, employed an attorney who was acquainted with international law, took him along with him over to London, and came back with $92,000. He went to work at once to try and find other relatives and apprise them of what they might be able to do if they got at it in time, which he informed them was limited, as such estates if not settled up in the course of 25 years would revert back to the Crown, and all claims cancelled. He finally got Mother’s address and wrote to her and advised her to get busy at once. (I was then Agent of the B. C. R. & N. Ru. at Carleton, Franklin County, Iowa. THE NAME OF THE STATION WHICH I CHANGED BY PERMISSION OF THE RY. CO. TO POPEJOY IN ORDER TO SECURE HIS STOCK SHIPMENTS, AS HE WAS A BIG SHIPPER, PAYING AS MUCH AS $8,000. A CAR FREIGHT). I got a raise of $10 a month for securing this business which the company had never been able to get before.)

When I was down home shortly afterward, Mother told me about it and stated she had shown her cousin’s letter to Mase, and he just boo’d at the matter, and she asked me to see what I could find out about it. So I took the letter home with me and corresponded with some attorneys in New York City, whom I saw in a NY paper were handling this kind of business, and spent some $160 having a firm look up Mother’s lineage as connected with this estate. After two years, they finally wrote me they had every link proven except one final connection and they would have to have $40 to get that one, and as I did not have the $40 at that time, I dropped the matter as to the attorneys and took it up with the House of Lords through their corresponding secretary and really never expected to receive any reply. I had dismissed the matter from my mind when here comes a letter from London, England, advising me the estate had reverted back to the crown on account of the statue of limitations but there had been quite a sum of the estate invested in lands in the northeastern part of North Carolina, giving me the name of the county, and advising me if I cared to take it up with the district judge of that county, it might be I could recover some of that land. I got in touch with him and he advised me the estate money had been invested in the county as I had been advised, but it had been many years since, and squatters had settled on the land and inproved it and made their buildings and fences as well as many other improvements and had asked the governor to declare the land to be state land, through an act of their congress, so he could then sell the lands to them and get a state title, which had been done. And it would cost many times what the land would sell for at forced sale to dispossess the present holders, so that ended the estate research.

Respectfully submitted,

J. Morgan

Owega came to visit us (Union, Iowa) several times when I was a child. She was quite slender & I suppose 5’ 3” or 4”. Had medium light brown hair which was always curled I believe, unless it was natural—seems to me I remember her putting it up on kid curlers at night. (I slept with her to help her keep warm in winter.) She dressed well and was neatness itself. She wore long underwear, shirts & drawers. At night she would disrobe for bed, give the shirt & drawers a good shaking, fold them carefully and put them under her pillow (still wintertime) so they would be warm to put on in the morning.

She was very ‘peppy’ & used to jump over our back fence to keep herself limber. Think she liked to skate, too. She taught my sisters (3) & me to waltz. She sewed beautifully & used to sew for us & mother. She made a red velvet blouse for herself when at our home once. Big puffy sleeves to just below the elbows where they were gathered into long tight cuffs. I loved color (& still do) & thought the velvet blouse (waist it was no doubt called) very beautiful. I can see it yet.

Owega had two daughters of whom she often spoke. Isca & Gus. I believe we may still have pictures of all three, if I can find them would gladly mail to Col. Walmer if he wants them, but would need full address. His mother, Isca, was a really beautiful young girl.

Copied from a Bluffton newspaper of (about) 1922.

The old Weisell property on South Oak Street, a building which has stood for over half a centry as a landmark from days which but few still remember, while the city grew and prospered about it, will be sold Saturday morning at the office of Superintendent of city schools to the highest bidder. The old home, replete with memories of forgotten days will be razed to make room for the relentless progress of the day.

In 1862, J. E. White cleared a space in the midst of an eight acre track of woodland, and laid the foundation of his new home. Interrupted by the war, the work was discontinued but was again taken up in 1864 and completed in that year.

The new residence marked an era in the architectural history of the city. Standing apart from the old log and frame structures of the day, it was long the center of attraction for this section of the country, as well as the center of activities for the community. A spacious dance floor in the second story of the building which Mr. White, then the wealthiest man in the village, graciously threw open for the enjoyment of the young set, became the synosure for social gatherings.

While time and weather has taken its toll from the once magnificent residence, it still stands in wonderful substantiality in comparison with contemporary structures. The best material and the finest workmanship which wealth could secure was lavished on its construction.

In 1878, the home was purchased by Robert Cummins and was but recently sold to the school board as a site for the new high school building by his heirs. (Doubtless means Mr. Robert Cummins father-in-law of Mr. W. W. Weisell –H. W. W.)

In a few months the oldest residence building in the city through which the memories of half a century still stalk in vague recollection, will be but a heap of old and almost useless material.

Copy of a penciled note attached to this article by Mrs. Bertha Cummins. (Widow of Robert Cummins now about 81(?) yrs. old –H. W. W.)

J. E. White was the Grandfather of Mrs. S. Walmer, Dal Wandel, and Mrs. L. B. Stevens. In 1878 was purchased by Dr. B. F. Cummins. In 1890 by W. W. Weisel and sold to school board by Miss Coe Weisell in 1919 for the B. A. Allen High School.

Whites

“Great grandfather White was known as the laziest man west of the Alleghany Mountains. We owned the land which subsequently became the near west side of Bluffton, Indiana. I’ve heard, perhaps jokingly, that he was never known to work. He rocked on his porch in a rocker and when his family needed clothes and food—he sold a lot.” (Told by his great grandson Col. H. W. Walmer, Culver, Ind.)

Jethrow

Frederick—born June 15, 1815.

Andrew—born May 15, 1817.

Jackson—born Oct. 15, 1818.

Elizabeth—born Mar. 25, 1823*

William—born May 16, 1827,

Nancy—July 18, 1827**

*Elizabeth’s birthday was wrong on this record, it was corrected.

**The year of Nancy’s birth must be 1829 instead of 1827.

The above records were found (where?)

From Mrs. Harry Mendenhall, 781 Clark Ave., Bluffton, Indiana, comes the following (taken from an abstact of her cousin’s):

The cousin lives in the former White home. This must be Jackson’s home as it is his descendants whom she has listed.

(Wonderful names. But after reading of all from just one branch I feel that we should greet every one we see as “Hi, brother or hi, sister” and search no further. I.M.U.)

Jackson E. White married Ann ____, their children were:

Francisco

Letita

Ferdinand

O’Mega (Omega)

Sandro

Montro

Allicia

Continuing from Mrs. Mendenhall:

Two granddaughters lived with Jackson white:

Maude Freezer married Kimbal ______

Gertie Freezer married M. J. Baldes

Parents unknown. Their mother may have been Allicia.

Francisco married David Morgan

Children are:

Nellie, married. Last heard from in Hunington, West Virginia

Ohra. Last heard from in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Muss. Lives in Hunington, W. Va. With Nellie.

Ed - Deceased

Ongo – Deceased

Mongo – Deceased

“Bud” – real name unknown. Married Dill Fields now deceased, also two daughters. Bud was living with a daughter Mounie in Hunington, W. Va.

II.) Letitia, called “Tea” married John Washington Wandel

Adalgo married Nellie Clayton

Florence married Jesse Williamson

Letitia married

Letitia

Doyle

Harry married Ethel Hixon. Harry is deceased, did live in Michigan.

Edith – last heard from somewhere in Michigan.

Name unknown

IV.) Ferdinand married Josie Harbaugh. He was a barber. Is deceased. Josie was a first cousin of Mrs. Mendenhall’s father.

Jay – last heard from in Ohio.

Guy – married. Lives in Bluffton

Brooks – last heard from in California

Omega married Robert Belham

Zoe – married ______Briggs, hardware merchant in Geneva, Ind. Last heard from in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Another daughter, name unknown

Sandro married Almire E.

O’Wega married ______Wentz. She is Deceased.

Isca married Ed Walmer. She passed away in Oct. 1936.

Child: Col. Hilliard W. Walmer, Inf. Res. Culver Military Academy, Culver, Ind.

Augusta married Verne Stevens

Child: Son, Belden (?)

Montro, unmarried.

The 7^th child of our great grandfather White.

William married ____Sturgis.

Children: Tune, Jons, Dough, Sis

Tune (real name unknown) married Jennie Harbaugh (sister of his Uncle Ferdinand and a first cousin of Mrs. Harry Mendenhall.) Jennie and Josie Harbaugh were sisters. Their mother & Mrs. Mendenahall’s father’s mother were sisters.

Child: June married Harry Fryer, live in Bluffton, Ind.

Child: Helen married _____________ may live in Detroit, Mich.

Jons married Anna. He is deceased. They had children. Anna is alive. Address unknown.

Dough married a widow Mrs. ____Henry who had a daughter Belle, who is now Mrs. Charles Huffman, Mount Lion, Ind. Dough’s children were Howard & Mattie, addresses unknown.

Sis (real name unknown) never married.

Dear Morgans: Injured my right hand, so please bear with my efforts in left hand typing.

I have yet to find out the name of our Great Grandfather White. Florene Rogers now Mrs. Ray Johnson, Union, Iowa, R.F.D. has a daguerreotype of the Whites. She has said that she will try to have copies made. Since she seems to have the only ones in existence she feels that she does not want to send the originals thro’ the mails and I feel that she is right. She did not know what negatives would cost. I sent her $2.00 towards negatives for me.

Negatives of the Liscomb Morgan home showing the bench around the tree where the family gathered to sing in the eve., the Morgan family group minus 3 children, deceased, and a negative of Aunt Melissa (was this her wedding Photo?) are at the Martin Studios, Osage, Iowa. I think these came from J. H. Morgan. If any of you want these photos I have told Mr. Martin to let any of you buy them. He charges $1.00 for a negative 5 x 7 inches and $.60 for a print same size.

Last week I again wrote to 3 relatives in Ind. asking for more information. What I learn will be sent direct on to Dwight, Birdie, Beulah, Florene, Max Morgan, Aunt Judith, Col. H. W. Walmer, and Dorothy Seims as representatives of their branch of the Morgan family.

Due to the illness of my husband in June and July and my own inability to use my right hand, my own records will not be complete for the reunion. My memory is poor when it comes to dates. We have 9 memory books for each of our 4 children, they are too heavy to handle with one hand. I will send these records as soon as I can. Margaret has been too busy with two cripples and a small child to write them for me. Best wishes for a most happy time.

Sincerely,

Imogene Uran (Mrs. J.A. Uran). He was also known as Hardinsen MORGAN.^{dcccxxxvii,dcccxxxviii}