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

I have another recollection of Sidney. He had Snip lying in the wheelbarrow with his feet towards the wheel and his head hanging over the front edge. In this position, Sid ran him through the yard as fast as he could go, and I can still see Snip’s eyes rolling in fear at the rapid pace.

When the alarm was given that Sidney had fallen from that tree, Mattie grasped my hand, and we ran as fast as we could crying all the way, to where Sidney lay. I remember him as he lay in his coffin.

I think you are mistaken Emma, about the tree’s being cut down at once, for Father, Mother and I visited Sidney’s grave at Booneville, and, as we came back through the woods, we turned off to the left and came to the tree from which Sidney had fallen. We stood there for a short time, weeping: then, when we started on homeward, I complained of being tired, so Father carried me the rest of the way astride of his left hip, with my arms around his neck. You will say that was a peculiar way to carry a child, and that was what I thought.

Our sale – yes, I distinctly remember it, especially after it was over and Dr. Dozier (?) was brought into the house by Father, who asked Mother to make the Doctor some strong coffee to help him recover from his drunken condition. It seems to me there was a light snowfall the morning of the sale.

I remember but little of our preparation for removal. One thing was the baking of “sweet bread.”

The next thing I remember in this connection was the crossing of a river. Was it the Yadkin? From there on I can recall many details of our trip by wagon, by train, by boat, again by train, again by wagon, and I should add “on foot,” for I remember several of the older children including Lou and Em, walked from State Center, Iowa, to Providence, and it may be some of them walked part or all of the way to Greensborough where we took our first train to Iowa.

One more recollection – I went to school one day with Mase. I was very much disturbed by the strange faces and surroundings. Mase found me a seat on a bench with him. The bell rang. I had never heard such a noise, so I set up a lusty yell, but Mase soon quieted me and I remained with him until he came home.

Another recollection – that of Quill and Mollie. After a visit with us, they took me home with them in a “one-horse buggy” drawn by a small mule called Beck.

In closing, let me say, Emma, I wish you had started these reminiscences years ago, so that Nancy, Mollie, Melissa, Mason, Mattie and Lou could have made their contributions. What interesting things they could have written. I was nearing my fifth year of age when we left our southern home, accordingly do not remember much except the things that touched my life in particular.

I have always been so interested in hearing of Sidney. He must have been a lively, intelligent lad. How sad we do not have his, Ellen’s, and Father and Mother’s pictures when the latter were young.

1950

Father’s two Nephews, Lieut. in Rebel army, together with Mother’s intercession (she was P.G. at time M.M.), gained Father’s pardon, and then at the close of the War, he was set “free” with the slaves.

On the return of the rebel soldiers, in their disappointment at their defeat, they hated and despised the Union sympathizers. Our Family was completely ostracised by those who had served in the Rebel Army, and, strange to say, even their former slaves, who still adhered to their former masters, looked down on us. We decided to move out – our destination, Iowa. We sold our plantation, with a new frame house partly completed, a tobacco factory, drying house and all the rest of our belongings, except the few things that we brought with us, to three Free Negroes. In our neighborhood, the slave owners had an agreement that a slave after doing his stint for the day, could have all he could earn by doing jobs outside. The few, mechanically minded, made ax-handles, plow beams, etc., and, when they had accumulated $200., their masters accepted that sum and gave them their legal freedom under State law.

Those “free” negroes pooled their earnings, amounting to the said $500.00 and Father accepted it. With three other families in similar condition, we set out by wagon, crossed the Yadkin River (I remember that crossing as a perilous feat) and then reached Greensborough, North Carolina. We stayed over-night in a school house, which Father, the elected Capt. of the expedition, secured. Slept, or did we sleep? on pallets spread on the floor. It was here I heard my first French Harp (mouth organ) the sweetest music up to that time I had ever heard. The “fiddle,” played by both Father and Mother, was the only musical instrument, I had heard before. They played for dances but after being converted and joining the Baptist Church, they dropped the fiddle and dancing as the work of the devil.

I don’t know what punishment would have been inflicted on any of us children, had we dared to appear on a dance floor. Consequently, none of us learned the terpeschorean art, except myself, after I had reached the age of fifty. There by hangs a tale, which would not be interesting.

Re the fiddle; we had a neighbor at Liscomb, who came to Father with an old violin and asked him to string it up. Father did so, and then the neighbor told him to keep it until he would call for it. After all those years of not touching a fiddle, Father picked up where he left off in a remarkably short time, and I learned to vamp(?) on the organ for him. Of his numerous selections were Turkey In The Straw, Old Lip(?) Coon, The Devil’s Dream, The Campbells Are Coming, etc.

One day, when Father was playing “The Campbells Are Coming”, Mother said, “You don’t end that right.” Father replied, “Let’s hear you end it,” handing her the fiddle. To my surprise, she took the instrument, twanged the strings to see if it were in tune, then played the end of the selection, and handed the fiddle back to Father. He gave a grunt of approval, and said, “I guess you are right.”

Our house was close to the sidewalk, and often a small audience would gather to hear our “music”.

The above is quite a digression. Now to resume our journey. The following is taken from the Family register in the old blue book as we called it, because the pages are blue in color. It is in Father’s own handwriting: After leaving our southern home, Oct. 17, 1869, it took us three days to reach Greensborough. “Took the cars at ten o’clock at night, got to Richmond at eleven o’clock next morning. Left at one the same day; went to West Point in two hours-35 miles. Took passage on the Boat Kennebec twenty minutes after three o’clock in the evening. Sailed 215 Mil. (Chesepeake Bay) got to Baltimore at eight o’clock in the morning, under Captain Fremont.” (About a year after, the sinking of this ship was reported, with the drowning of this Captain.)

(My recollections: I remember when we got aboard the boat at West Point, Lou and Emma rushed ahead each into a cabin calling out-“This is my room, this is mine,” but suddenly there appeared a big, old, black Mammy, who called out: “Heah, you chilluns skeedaddle out of heah.” And they skedaddled.

We were then conducted to the hold of the ship, which we three “emigrant” families had all to ouselves. I remember seeing brother Jack and another boy, John Copeland clambering up the bunks on the walls, like a couple of monkeys. They were the only ones that occupied a bunk; the rest sleeping on pallets spread on the floor of the ship. These pallets with other things were carried in napsacks, hung across our shoulders.)

“Stayed at Baltimore eight hours. Left at four in the evening. Got to Ohio Riv. at Bellaire at half past seven. Passed Zanesville at one-half past ten. Got to Columbus at one o’clock. Passed Union City at five o’clock, Friday Evening. Got to Logansport, Ind., at nine o’clock. Snowing very fast. Left Logansport at one-half past two, Saturday morning. Got to Chicago at nine; left at 11. Crossed the Mississsippi River, twenty minutes after four at Clinton. Got to State Center at eleven. Moved to New Providence, Nov. 20, 1869. Moved to Liscomb, Nov. 7, 1870.

Let me take up the narration from the time we reached State Center. Father got two teams and lumber wagons for the three families. The one wagon was driven by a fouteen – year old boy, whose father drove the other wagon. With the boy on the spring seat, rode Mother holding her Babe in arms, and I. We were all dressed in thin homespun clothing, which was wholly inadequate for that time of the year. The boy that drove our wagon heard Mother call me Jimmie, and he said: “Poor, little Jimmie,” took off his coat and put it on me. The rest of the children- Nancy, Mase, Mattie, Jack, Lou and Em walked the entire distance of eightieen miles to New Providence, of course, Father walked with them.

We lived at New Providence one year, the latter part of which was spent in building two houses with a lot between them on the main street of Liscomb. Isam Copeland worked with Father, and one of the houses was for him On the lot between the two they planned to erect a store bldg. But their money ran out. This house was our dwelling place for the life of Father and Mother. An addition was built on much later. The house was sold to Mern Bixby who moved it back on the lot. It is on the north side of Main Street about a block and a half from the depot. I think it is still owned by Mr. Bixby.

Thus endeth the trek of the Morgan Family from Boonville, N.C., to Liscomb, Iowa.

J.H. Morgan

431-16^th No.

Seattle, -2- Wash.

Oct. 15, 1945
Dear Morgan Clan:

The Morgan Family Reunions had their origin as far back as sixty years ago. They first consisted of the immediate members of the Family. Mase would come home from his work at Elam Jessup’s. Jack from his work at Frank Robinson’s 16 miles East of Liscomb, near Beaman. Mattie from her work at Eams’, Nancy from her work at some place near Bangor, Milissa – I am not sure where she was employed. Drew, you can supply the place, Mollie, Quill and Jim and Dallas Speer from the old Long place - East of Union; Lou from a family by the name of Green, (she worked there for her board, while attending school) and Emma and I were at home.

I don’t mean to give the impression that we were all together at any one time, but the majority of us were often reunited for mostly a brief time; then away to their places of employment.

I recall one winter, that Mase, Mattie, Drew, Lou, Emma and I were all at home and attending school taught by Mr. Jennings.

You can well imagine that we had some lively times, and how Mother Morgan enjoyed it. Father liked to have us around too, but when the “revelry” was prolonged, he would go to bed and sleep in spite of the noise.

Later after Nancy, Melissa and Mattie were married, our Reunions were held during the vacation periods usually with Mase, Lou, Emma and I at home, with the others coming in on occasion, for a day’s visit.

A number of you, I believe, can recall the big willow tree that stood a little to the rear of the house. Father fixed a bench or two underneath the tree and those, supplemented with chairs, afforded seating capacity for the neighbors who gathered in from all sides to hear the “singing.” We had a quartet-Mase, tenor; Lou, soprano; Emma, alto, and I bass with a tenor accent. When Drew was home, he assisted with the bass.

Some of the songs were: “My Darling Nellie Gray,” “Sweet Evelina,” “Camptown Races,” “Listen to the Mocking Bird,” “Far Away,” “Drifting With the Tide,” “Kitty Wells,” “Toll, Toll the Bell,” “Sweet Chiming Bells,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Old Oaken Bucket,” “Under the Willow She’s Sleeping,” “Boom Ta-ra-ra, Boom de Ay,” “Beautiful Stars in Heaven So Bright,” “Old Black Joe,” “Dixie,” “Sweet Is the Tie That Binds,” “Home, Sweet Home,” “Fol Lol Lol De Lite O?” “Shool, Shool, Sholi Rule,” “Drifting,” “Come Where the Lillies Bloom,” “Suwanee River,” (Old Folks at Home)? “Under the Moonlit Sky” “Kitty May,” ”Comin’ Through the Rye,” “Goodbye, My Lover, Goodbye,” “Ise Gwine Back to Dixie,” “ The Bugle Horn Is Sounding,” “The Sea, The Sounding Sea” and many others which we had picked up here and there – a goodly number of them brought home by the Girls and Mase from their schools.

The songs were all learned by rote, the harmony being fitted to them by the various parts.

Our audience would stay, until they had had enough, then one by one, would “steal away”, but back they would be the next evening. Sometimes, they would call for the song they wanted.

I look back with pleasant musings on this practice, which seemed but nothing then, but which I recognize now as a kindly service to our old friends and neighbors.

Later, the Morgan Family became more separated and the Reunions took on more importance, but still they were held at the old Liscomb home and were so held until both Mother and Father had departed this life. Afterward, they were held at Union with Emma and Lou entertaining. Once, when I was present, at Iowa Falls and at other times, when I was not present, at one of the Iowa Lakes in the Northwest part of the State. All these Reunions were called Morgan Family Reunions. By far the largest ever held was at Lepley Park, Union. There were sixty present. This was after Lou had passed away, also after Drew and his family had moved to California. Of late years, we have held the Reunion within easy reach of Emma, and the last several times, at her home.

Fern entertained the Reunion once at her home and the Hauser Girls entertained at Des Moines in conjunction with Judith and Helen, after the Reunion proper had been held at Eldora. That was the year that Drew went back with Lurene and me.

There have been numerous write-ups of these Reunions, all under the name of the Morgan Family Reunion.

Further more, Beulah has and is compiling the History or Annals of the Morgan Family.

You can now see what I am driving at. The Hausers, the Clarks, the Rogers, the Kerseys are all Morgan descendants. If we are to hyphenate one, why not hyphenate all?

I hope at least, as long as Drew and I live, the Reunions shall be called the Morgan Family of the Morgan Clan Reunions.

I received the letter today of the Jennings “Scholars,” and we were made sorrowful by the annoncement that they had decided to write Finis to the Jennings’ Reunions.

There were but four present – Frone, Sade, Jess Armstrong and Rena Price Arney. They did make this reservation; - should any one of the old schoolmates return for a visit, he would be received by as many as could be mustered.

Love to each,

Uncle Jim

Dear Morgan Clan: On the occasion of your Reunion at Greenwood Park, Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 12, 1948.

Beulah has asked me to write something of our life in the South, which neither Drew nor Emma had written before. I think the following was not touched on by either, and I hope it will be interesting:

In the latter part of the Civil War, the South was driven to draft both the old and the young for service in their armies.

Father had managed to escape the draft until the last two years of the war.

We, together with a number of his neighbors, were for the union, though the most of his neighbors owned slaves.

We did not believe in slavery, but employed negroes and paid them for their work. I daresay the pay was small, but it was a token in the direction of our belief in the freedom of the slaves.

The connection with the Rebel army, was the Home Guard, which, it was said, was composed of the meanest men in the sevice, and who were assigned to this job because of some disablement, and their cruel disposition in rounding up any and all that they could force into the Confederate Service.

This Home Guard was wont to make its appearance quite unexpectedly, but our Union sypathizing neighbors were informed of their coming by the “grape-vine” method operated by their slaves, and hid in the swamps. They were fed by their slaves carrying food to them, until the Home Guard disappeared.

I think Father escaped at first by turning “Preacher,” at which time, perhaps, he studied the Bible, which enabled him in after years to quote more accurately from that Book than any man I ever heard, be he clergy-man or laymen. Many-a-time have I heard him say to a visiting Minister who had quoted something from the Bible: “Hunh-uh! That is not right.” He then corrected the quotation, and , if there was any further controversy, Father would reach for his well-worn Bible and in a short time, would find the passage, read it, and the Minister would acknowledge his mistake. This was done without the aid of a concordance, simply by sheer act of memory of the book, the chapter and the verse.

Eventually, the Home Guard took Father from a bed of sickness, dragged him to the Rebel camp, not far distant, and impressed him into the service of the Rebel army.

His regiment was stationed to guard the Union prisoners at Salsbury prison, which was next to Andersonville in its terrible condition.

On one occasion, the prisoners broke out of the stockade, and the Rebels were ordered out, every man, to round them up.

In a few hours, this was accomplished, and when the troops returned to their camp, Father’s Captain found him standing in front of his tent. With an oath, he asked Father what he was doing there, and why he had not obeyed his command. Father replied that he had nothing against those men, but if any one of them wanted to pick a fight, just to send them over, and he would try to accommmodate him.

For this Father was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot. There were three things which activated to prevent his execution: First, the intercession on his behalf of his two nephews, Lieutenants in the Rebel army; second, Mother’s visit to the General (She was then carrying our little sister, Ellen Annetta); Third, Lee had surrendered and the War was about to close.

During the time that Father was in the Rebel army by compulsion, Nancy was left in charge of the work on our plantation, that is, in the field, and right well did she carry out her commission.

(The G.A.R. recognized Father as a Union soldier by placing a flag on his grave on Decoration Day.)

All the children were at home then except Mollie, who had married Quill Speer, a widower with three children – Dallas, America and Jim. They lived on a farm not far from our place.

At home were Nancy, Melissa, Mase, Sidney, Mattie, Jack, Lou, Em and myself. That was quite a crew for Nancy to handle, but all that were able to work were willing workers, and under Nancy’s direction, they carried on the work of the plantation well and effectively.

Some of the time Melissa and Mattie worked for some of the neighbors. I remember that Mattie worked for Hayden Spencer, and that I went with her to their home for a little visit. Mattie showed me some chinquepins growing on a small tree, and let me pick some to take home. I suppose the Spencers were highly honored by my visit.

I wonder if Mother delegated me to the care of Mattie. I much prefer to think she took it on herself to look after me, for it was Mattie that lifted me to the back of old Charlie, when she led him to the creek for a drink. It was Mattie who took me by the hand and ran with me to where Sid was lying, having fallen to his death from a large oak tree. It was Mattie who grasped my hand and led me across the railroad track before an oncoming train, and altho the train was a half-mile distant, yet it seemed to me that she had courageously saved my life. This happened at Greensborough, where we ended our wagon conveyance and took the train instead. It was Mattie who screamed with fright as she saw me staggering home from a neighbor’s with my face covered with blood, as it flowed from my wounded head over my clothing to the ground. She picked me up and carried me to the house where Mother took care of my wounds in her efficient manner.

This happened at New Providence. A neighbor boy several years older than I had carried a well-wheel up a tree about 25 feet, where he tied it to a limb and ran a long rope over the wheel. He descended to the ground, tied a small board to one end of the rope, had me grasp the rope, with my feet on the board, (I was the bucket) and started to pull me up. The wheel broke loose, and as it descended, the boy tried to catch it, thus breaking the force of its fall, but the flanges cut into my skull about an inch long. He picked me up and helped me about half way home, when his courage gave out, and it was then that Mattie came to the rescue. Mr. Moore, his Father came over to see me, went back, took Bob out to the barn and whipped him with a blacksnake until we could hear his cries. How my heart did ache for that poor boy.

Here I discover that I have flown off at a 90 degree tangent, and merged this narrative into an autobiography.

I don’t wish to imply that Mattie was the only one that favored me, for I can recall many kindnesses from all the others.

After the war was ended, the Confederates returned to their homes defeated and embittered.

You will remember that Gen. Grant gave to the Cavalry men their horses. One man came riding through our field where Mase was at work. He asked Mase for a certain direction. Mase gave him the information, where upon the man dismounted and promptly knocked Mase down. He remounted and rode away.

This incident illustrates the feeling that the returned rebels had for Union sympathizers. Our Family was ostracized, which was the main reason to sell out and move to Iowa. The other reason was that Quill, Mollie and Melissa had moved to Iowa two years before.

We were just finishing a new house, but we sold our whole plantation, including a tobacco factory and a drying house, in fact, everything except what we could carry in our hands for (hold you breath!), Five Hundred Dollars.

Three Free Negroes bought it. No white man had any money. These negroes had bought their freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation by doing extra work, and had saved the amount stated above.

J. H. Morgan

Taught school in N.C. Adept at loom weaving. Always had a loom in her Liscomb, Iowa home. While living in the south, she with other members of the family spun and

wove their own clothes. They also helped pick the cotton and tobacco on the plantation. While the father was in the Rebel Army, Nancy acted as manager of the tobacco picking by the slave labor.

Last home address – Liscomb, Iowa

Birthplace – Rockingham Co., N.C.

“Borned” – Sept. 21, 1842

Died – Oct. 30, 1917 Liscomb, Iowa from pneumonia

Buried in Liscomb Cemetery on parent’s lot.

Father’s name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Education was in N. C. schools

Date of Marriage –

Husband: Albert Middleton, a widower with 9 children

A son: Charles Middleton was born Sept. 25, 1872

A daughter: Ellen Annetta Middleton was born Sept. 14, 1874

Political affiliation: Democrat

Religious affiliation: Christian Church

Nancy never lost her southern accent. Left alone when her daughter was only 3 weeks old, Nancy’s life was one of self-denial. She is a great favorite with everyone and loved nothing better than to entertain her relatives and friends at a feast of her famous southern dishes. Her dried apple pies, fried were delectable as was her liver pudding.

Nancy carried on a feud for yrs. with a tile company at Liscomb who wanted her land to make tile. She owned one spot on earth and she was determined not to be pushed off of it while she lived. She owned the property at death.

Charles Middleton married a widow Etta Brown who was the mother of one child by her first husband. Charles died after 1923. He left home at an early age. Little known about his life. He lived at one time in Kansas.

Ellen Annetta Middleton – Kersey

Housewife

Last address: Marshalltown, Iowa

Birthplace: Marshall Co., Iowa

Born Sept. 14, 1874 died Aug. 19, 1934. Buried at Liscomb, Iowa

Father’s name: Albert Middleton

Mother’s maiden name: Nancy Addaline Morgan

Educated in elementary schools

Married June 12, 1893 in Liscomb, Iowa

Husband: Gideon Frazier Kersey

Husband’s father: James L. Kersey

Husband’s mother’s maiden name: Lydia Frazier

Children: 4 daughters, Marue, Dorothy, Helen, and Evelyn.

Ellen Annetta was as excellent a cook as her mother. She was called Nettie by everyone but her mother who often called her T’Cora after one of her southern friends. Nettie was a hospitable person. Being the oldest cousin of the many Morgan Cousins she often was “baby sitter” in her home while their mothers shopped in Marshalltown. She was a true Morgan in expecting obedience when she spoke to a child. On one occasion when she had a group of 4 besides her own children to care for, the 4 visiting small cousins decided to talk nothing but “pig latin” their views of Nettie’s strict discipline. When the young cousins were ready to leave Nettie in “pig latin” invited them all to return next time they were in town. The young cousins were speechless as they left. For many yrs. “Gid” Kersey was a fireman in Marshalltown, Iowa. Lives in Calif. now.

Marue b. May 9, 1894 died at birth

Dorothy Muriel Kersey – Seim

Dorothy Kersey – Seim taught school 2 years, worked in a Dr’s office. Housewife at present.

Last address: Melbourne, Iowa R.F.D.

Birthplace: Liscomb, Iowa

Born June 1, 1899

Father’s name: Gideon Frazier Kersey

Mother’s maiden name: Ellen Annetta Middleton

Graduated from Marshalltown, Iowa H.S. One term at Iowa State Teacher’s

college, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Married: Dec. 19, 1920

Husband: Knudt Olai Seim, born at Potter, near Dunbar, Iowa Nov. 12,1893

Husband’s father: Olai R. Seim born in Roldal, Norway, came to Dunbar,

Iowa in 1891.

Mother’s Maiden name: Hansina Hansen, born in Roldal, Norway

Knudt O. Seim took a 4 yr. Correspondence course in Advanced Steam Engineering. Farmed 2 yrs. then worked for Lennox Furnace Co. for 4 yrs. Worked for Marshall Canning Co. for 3 ½ years. For 12 ½ years he was an operating engineer for Iowa Electric Light and Power Co. in Marshalltown, Iowa. From 1937 until 1953 he farmed and was also an electrician. In Jan. 1955 he began work for R. D.(?) Button Home Supply Co. of Marshalltown, Iowa in charge of their electrical service department. Knudt is a quiet man, a hard worker and much respected by all who knew him.

Children: Two daughters, Betty A., Nancy C., and four sons were born to this

Union. Sons are Richard K., Gerald Lee, Allen L. and Darryl F.

Religious Affiliation: members of Marshalltown Christian Church

Dorothy sings alto with the Marshall County Chorus. She made the trip to

Washington D. C. to sing the year 1950, when the rural choruses from all over Iowa were chosen from all the college and other group choruses to go to Washington D. C. to sing for their Sesquicantennial. Has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Blue Star, Amvet Auxiliary, and many other community organizations. Altho’ an invalid son requires much of her attention she has never lost her interest in all community affairs and thoroughly enjoys giving of her talents as often as possible Organizations in 1955:

Chr. Of Garden Therapy in Garden Club.

Sec. Of Council Group at Christian Church

Member of Woman’s Club Chorus and Drama Gr.

Sec. and Treas. of Iris Club

Sec. and Treas. Of Washington Twp. Rural Woman’s Grp. Of Farm Bureau.

Children of Dorothy Muriel Kersey-Seim and Knudt Olai Seim

Betty Annette Seim-Vint

Was a cashier at Kresge’s lunch counter in Marshalltown before marriage. Housewife now.

Home address: 1701 West State Street, Marshalltown, Iowa.

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa

Born: Nov. 22, 1921

Father’s name: Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s maiden name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Graduate of Marshalltown High School

Married on June 12, 1940

Husband: Howard Francis Vint

Husband’s Father: Emil Vint, of Beaman, Iowa

Husband’s mother’s maiden name: Grace Raper

Husband born on a farm near Beaman, Iowa

Husband’s education: Graduated at I.S.A.C. Ames on June 10, 1940. 4H Agent in Scott Co., Iowa 13 mo. Marshall Co Extension Director since 1941.

Children born to Betty Annette Seim-Vint and Howard Francis Vint

Larry Francis b. May 12, 1941

William Dean b. March 13 1943 (Larry and William are both Boy Scouts, have newspaper routes and nice band accounts.)

Mary Sue b. Oct. 6,1945

Thomas Lee b. July 20, 1948

Jon Howard Vint b. Nov. 4, 1952

Howard F. Vint is now in 1955 Farm Editor and Farm News Director of KFJB Marshalltown Radio station and Times Republican paper.

His wife Betty is a Brownie Leader of a group of 16. One being her daughter Mary Sue.

Richard Knudt Seim -- Farmer. Assisted his father with electrical work. Worked for Ia. State Highway Comm. As a rod man.

Present Address – 199 Pammel Court, Ames, Iowa

Born at Marshalltown, Iowa

Born on Sept. 5, 1928

Father’s name: Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s maiden name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Graduated from Albion H.S. May 3,1946. Was Valdictorian of his class. 2 yrs of Junior College at Marshalltown, Iowa. Is attending I.S.T.C. Ames, Iowa.

Married Oct. 27^th, 1950 by Rev. H.M. Raecher at 8 p.m. in Grace Evangelical N. B. Church Marshalltown, Iowa.

Wife’s maiden name: Alene Sloppy

Wife’s father’s name: Herbert Sloppy

Mother’s name: Mrs. Sidney Kallen of Des Moines.

Wife: twenty years old when married

Wife graduated from Marshalltown H. S. Attended Junior College Marshalltown. Worked in Ellis Ready To Wear Marshalltown before marriage & while husband was in army.

Child of Richard Knudt Seim and Alene Sloppy:

Becky Ann b. Aug. 27, 1953 in Ames, Iowa

Richard entered service Nov. 6, 1950. Located at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Served 11 months in Korea. Was a Cpl. Rec’d Good Conduct Medal & several ribbons.

Richard was an outstanding student in Marshalltown Jr College in dramatics.

Richard played baseball while in school. He was drummer four years in grade school band. He was in 4H. Had purebred Chester white hogs. He was first president of Father and son Soil Conservation set up. Followed all conservation practices on a farm S. E. of Albion which parents owned from 1939 until 1950.

Richard is an Ag. Journalist student at I.S.A.C. at Ames, Iowa. Is a farm director on Radio Station WOI at Ames. He took a business course with his high school work.

Gerald Lee Seim

Worked as filing clerk at Fisher Govener of Marshalltown for 1 year. Was typist for Keeshirs Trucking and worked in a drug store. Sold Singer Sewing Machines 1 yr. Now a store keeper for Iowa Electric Light Co. in Marshalltown Iowa.

Present address: 209 S. 5^th St. Marshalltown, Iowa

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa

Born: Nov. 2, 1929

Father’s name: Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Graduated from Albion H.S. May 26, 1947. He was Valedictorian of his class. Attended Junior College in Marshalltown. Was cheer leader in H. S. and college. Because of a rheumatic heart condition could not take part in athletics.

Date of Marriage: Aug 30, 1952

Wife’s name: Marilyn Shaffer who is secretary at Lennox Furnace Co. in Marshalltown, Iowa

Attends Presbyterian Church.

Gerald belonged to 4H and specialized in pasture improvement. He took a business course with his H. S. Course. Gerald took part in dramatics in Jr. College.

Nancy Charleen Seim-Culter

Worked at Kresge’s 3 yrs. while attending H.S. and in positions in Calif. before marriage. Was tel. Operator at Downey & became supervisor.

Present address: 8814 S. Greenleaf, Whittier Calif.

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa

Born March 9, 1932

Father’s name Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s maiden name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Graduated from Marshalltown H.S. June 1, 1950

Married March 29, 1952

Husband: Edward Culter

Husband born: Waterloo, Iowa

Daughter: Cathy Ann, b. May 23 1953

Nancy was 1^st Pres. of Flowettes 4H Club in Iowa Twp. Sewing was their first project. Was a fine art student and followed up in teaching new operations with drawings and jingles to fit in with their instructions.

Edward Cutler works for Pacific Bell Tel. Co. at Downey, Calif. Owns his home.

Allan Lynn Seim

Occupation: soil conservation

Present address: Melbourne, iowa R.F.D.

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa

Born Sept. 4, 1935

Father’s Name: Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s maiden name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Attended 12 grades at Albion Consolidated School. Graduated there. Was an honor student all thro’ school. President of his class. Played baseball. Took part in dramatics. Took a business course along with his high school course.

Darryl Franklin Seim

Present address: Melbourne, Iowa

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa

Born on July 22, 1938

Father’s name: Knudt Olai Seim

Mother’s maiden name: Dorothy Muriel Kersey

Darryl contracted polio at age of 5 months leaving him with cerebral and spastic tendencies. Is learning hand work of various kinds.
Helen Doris Kersey – Skill

Nurse West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, Ill. Taught school, 1 yr. Cashier Red Ball Store 2 yrs. in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Present address: 942 E. Beverly Ave., Bellflower, Calif.

Birthplace: Union, Iowa

Born: July 21, 1904

Father’s name: Gidion Frazier Kersey

Mother’s Maiden name: Ellen Annetta Middleton

Graduated Marshlltown H.S. 1923

Attended I.S.T.C. Cedar Falls, Iowa 1 yr.

Married: April 5, 1921

Husband: Sam Skill

Parents of Sam Skill were born in Sicily. Sam runs a retail and Shoe repair store.

Children of Helen Doris Kersey and Sam Skill

Ellen Annette b. Aug. 3, 1935

John Middleton Skill ( adopted) born. Aug.7, 1930

Graduated from Bellflower, Calif. H.S. in 1947. Won many track honors. Was in Navy.

4.) Evelyn Elizabeth Kersey-Johnson

Bookkeeper and cashier for restaurant at Ames. Also did office work. Housewife at present.

Present address: 943 3E Rosecrans, Bellflower, Calif.

Birthplace: Marshalltown, Iowa (512 N. Second St.)

Born: Aug. 6, 1912

Father’s name: Gidion Frazier Kersey

Mother’s maiden name: Ellen Annetta Middleton

Graduated from Marshalltown H.S. 1931. Attended Marshalltown Business College 14 mo.

Married Feb. 8, 1939

Husband: Roy Johnson of Des Moines

Children: Son – David b. June 16, 1947

Stepson – Jimmie

Hardin and Elizabeth Morgan

Told By Nancy Morgan-Middleton

The family of Hardin and Elizabeth Morgan with eight of their eleven children started to Iowa, by wagon, on Sat. Oct. 17, 1869. William Sidney had died Sept. 20, 1866 from a fall out of a tree. He was chasing a squirrel and the limb broke. He fell-breaking his neck. He was buried in Boonville, Yadkin Co., near Madison, North Carolina.

1^st day – The family left Boonville, N. Car., on Sat. Oct. 17, 1869. They stayed all night at Brooktown, Forsyth Co.

2^nd day – Sunday 18^th they stayed all night at Wicker near Kernsville.

3^rd day – Mon. 19^th, reached Greensborough, Gifford Co. Took the cars at 10 o’clock at night and reached Richmond, Virginia at 11 o’clock A.M. Tues. Oct.20^th.

4^th day – Tues. 20^th. Left Richmond, Va., at 1 p.m. and went to West Point, Va., a distance of 35 miles in 2 hours. Took passage on the boat Kennebec this same day Tues. 20^th at 3:20 p.m. Sailed up Chesapeake Bay for 215 mi.

5^th day – Wed. 21^st reached Baltimore, Maryland at 8 a.m. The boat was under Capt. Fremont. Stayed here for 8 hours.

6^th day – Thurs. 22^nd Left at 4 p.m. Reached Bellaire, Ohio, on the Ohio River at 7:30. Passed Zanesville, Ohio, at 10:30.

7^th day – Fri. 23^rd. Passed Union City, Ohio, at 5 p.m. Reached Logansport, Carr Co., Ind., at 9 p.m. Snowing very fast.

8^th day - Sat. a.m. 24^th. Left Logansport, Ind., at 2 a.m. Reached Chicago at 9 a.m. and left at 11 a.m. Crossed the Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa at 4:20 p.m. Reached State Center, Iowa at 11p.m. 1869.

Left for New Providence, Iowa Nov. 20, 1869

Moved to Liscomb, Iowa, Nov. 7, 1870.

The Morgan family lot is at Liscomb, Iowa, with the following members of the family buried there:

Father Morgan & Mother Morgan Mary J. Morgan Hague (Mollie)

Nancy Morgan Middleton J. Morgan (Drew)

Emma Morgan Humphreys – Ralls Ed Humphreys (Emma’s husband)

Mellissa Morgan Hanson J. H. Morgan
Liscomb Pioneer Carries Out Promise Made

To His Brother

James Morgan promised Andrew Jackson Morgan to bring his ashes to Liscomb and bury them on the family lot in the Liscomb cemetery, by the side of his mother and father and other members of the family. Andrew Morgan died Dec. 1, 1948, at Berkely, Calif. He was 92 when he died.

Two sons, Lyle A. Morgan, San Francisco, Calif., and N. Dwight Morgan, superintendent of schools at Gillette, Wyo., are bringing the ashes of their father to Marshalltown. Sunday, the brothers will be joined by their eldest brother, Ross G. Morgan of Danville, Ill., and their uncle, James H. Morgan of Seattle, Wash. These four members of the family will preside at the graveside services in the Liscomb cememtery at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

This burial service will be at the close of the annual reunion of the Morgan clan which will be held Sunday at Riverview park in Marshalltown. The members of the family group will come to Liscomb where they will be joined by the local friends of the pioneer Morgan family, who are planning to attend the service.

Starts In Old South

The history of the Morgan family, as written recently by James Morgan, dates back to the days of the old south, and continues in early day Marshall County.

The Hardin Morgan family consisted of four boys and seven girls. They sold their tobacco and cotton plantation near Booneville, North Carolina in 1869. The inducement to sell out and move was ostracism by the returned confederate veterans. Hardin Morgan was a Union sympathizer.

Sentenced To Be Shot

He was forced into the rebel army but on refusing to fight in the roundup of escaped Union prisoners from Salisbury prison, he was court martialed and sentenced to be shot.

By the intercession of his wife, two nephews who were lieutenants in the rebel army, and the fact that Lee had surrendered, he was pardoned.
Is Union Veteran

In Iowa he was recognized by the G.A.R. as a Union veteran.

The trip to Iowa was made by wagon to Greensboro, N.C., by train to West Point, by boat to Baltimore, by train to Chicago, and by train, the Chicago North Western, to State Center.

The family left State Center for New Providence by wagon the same day of their arrival.

To Liscomb in 1870

In 1870 the Morgan family moved to Liscomb, which had been founded by John Tripp in 1868. Here Mr. Morgan built a house on Main street, which remained the family home until the parents’ death.

Hardin Morgan was a stone mason and work was plentiful in the growing community. The boys worked on farms and attended school in the winter months. Five of the original Morgan family and 16 of the grandchildren were school teachers, many attaining prominence in their profession.

(Ross did not attend. All Morgan relatives at family reunion at Marshalltown that Sun. Aug. 1949 attended services. Max, Nephew of A. J. Morgan & son of J. H. Morgan, Lyle & Dwight, sons of A. J. Morgan, and J. H. Morgan, brother of A. J. Morgan, sang at burial.)

Mary Jane Morgan-Speers-Hague (always called “Mollie”)

Housewife

Last address was Des Moines, Iowa

Birthplace: Rockingham Co. North Carolina

Born: March 10, 1845

Died: July 2, 1931. Complications fol’g a broken hip was cause of death.

Buried: Morgan lot, Liscomb, Iowa

Father’s Name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Educated in N.C. schools

Married July 30, 1866, Stokes Co. N.C.

Husband: 1.) Aquilla Speers of N.C.

Joseph Hague of Des Moines, Iowa

Mary Jane had no children of her own. She raised her first husband’s 3 children: America, Dallas and James Speers. She took her sister Melissa’s newborn daughter, Melissa Frances Hanson, and raised her.

Political affiliations: Democrat

Religious affiliations: Quaker

Molly and her first husband, Aquilla Speers, three children and Molly’s sister Melissa Frances Morgan came to New Providence, Iowa in 1867 or 1868. They rented a farm from Aquilla’s relatives by the name of Hadley. When Molly’s parents came to New Providence in 1869 they stayed at first with Molly. New Providence at that time had been struck by a cyclone and the Morgan’s counted 27 open cellars—the houses having been blown away by the recent cyclone.

Molly never lost her southern accent and was more like the northern’s idea of what a southern belle should look like than any of the other Morgan daughters. The Speers stayed at “Quilly Martins” in New Providence when they first came to Iowa. Molly used snuff. Her host was a straight-laced Quaker and said to her when she bro’t out her snuff box, “Mary Jane, thee put that snuff box away and never let my children see thee use it again.”

“Quilly” also objected to Molly singing from her song book of sacred songs by saying, “Mary Jane, thee put away thy song book and never let my children see thee use it again.”

Molly loved to tell her many nieces and nephews of the days in the south. The family raised all the food, raised and wove all their clothes. The nearest they came to cake was when their mother would add molasses to the sweet bread, or hoe cakes which she baked in their huge open

fireplace by covering them with coals and ashes. When Molly was married their nearest neighbor (Kitty Kruse) had a negro maid “Puss” who wanted to bake a wedding cake for Molly. It was to be a pound cake—called so because a pound of each ingredient was used. Unfortunately the cake “fell.” “Puss” in despair decided to go to the garden and hoe away her troubles. To her delight she came across a nest of eggs hidden in some weeds. She took them to the house and baked another pound cake which turned out to be perfect and the bride had her promised wedding cake.

The family raised just enough cotton on the N.C. plantation for their own clothing. The cotton was gathered and seeded, then carded into rolls which were spun on the spinning wheel into threads and then woven into cloth. Some of it was colored before weaving by bark or herbs. The young girls of the family became so expert they could weave polka dots in their cloth.

The flax which made linen, was raised, cut and hackled by the old negro slave Ran.

When the Morgan family came to Iowa all their clothing was made of cotton or flax raised and woven by themselves.

bring Ran’s negro wife Fan did the washing in a creek on the plantation. Their son Snip’s duty was to wood on a wheelbarrow for the fireplace. These logs were six feet long. The immense fireplace not only was used for cooking but was the only means of heating the house. A large back log would last for several days and smaller logs would be put in front.

Father Hardin Morgan had a rule at Christmas time that all could have a holiday as long as the back log in the fireplace lasted. The older sons would bring in a huge green hickory or oak log. It sometimes lasted a week.

There were several pothooks in the fireplace. The kettles were iron and had iron lids. The oven and skillets had long legs. There was a screen to place in front of the fire and of course the big and-irons, the brass hook and tongs for caring for the fire.

Everybody raised plenty of fruit, especially peaches and apples. No fruit was canned for winter. It was all dried.

Father Morgan built a dry house, the only one in the community. It was like a long stone chimney lying on the ground. There were openings about 3 ft. apart where a fire could be built inside this chimney. There was a covering of wood with shelves in it that held the trays with the fruit. It was 10 ft. long. The whole side opened and the fruit was stirred or moved to higher racks. It had to be looked after all night. This afforded the young people a lot of fun. They would gather a crowd to look after the fruit “set-up”. In the daytime the young girls would gather to cut up the fruit for drying. The fruit would be bro’t by the wagon load and dumped on the ground. In the evening the young men came to keep the fires going.

The family raised chestnuts to roast in the fireplace and chinquepin nuts the size of a hazelnut, and very good.

East of the home was a huge pine grove. The trees were so thick that the grove was always dark. After a rain whenever there was a rainbow it seemed to end in this grove. The elder children of the family kept the younger ones busy then running thro’ the grove to find the pot of gold. In spite of much running the rainbow always disappeared before the children could reach it. This story was always ended by saying “The pot of Gold may be there to this day.”

Molly farmed near Bangar for many years with her stepson Jim. Later she lived in Iowa Falls and Des Moines, Iowa. She died in Des Moines.

Living near Grandfather Morgan’s were Kitty Kruse, & her negro maid “Puss”. She, Puss, may have been a slave girl, I don’t remember about that.

Kitty always had cookies for them whenever mother or any of the others went over. These she kept in a stone jar under her bed! They all loved Kitty because she was so good to them.

When Aunt Molly was to be married, Puss wanted to make the wedding cake. It was to be a ‘pound cake’ called so because it required a lb. of butter, a lb. of sugar, etc., and a dozen eggs.

At the appointed time Puss made the cake, but to her great disappointment it fell. In her despair she got the hoe and went to the garden to hoe away her troubles, where to her delight she came upon a nest of eggs hidden in the weeds.

She took them, went to the house, and baked another pound cake which came out perfectly.

So Aunt Molly had her wedding cake afterall, baked by the good Puss.
Grandfather Morgan didn’t believe in slavery so didn’t own any slaves. However, a negro family worked for them. The man’s name was ‘Ran’. He worked on the plantation & I’ve heard Aunt Em tell of him retting the flax out of the more coarse fibers, grandmother spun thread & wove tow cloth. The negro woman did grandmother’s washing down at the spring, where she heated the water in a huge iron kettle, and of couse washed by hand. Their boy carried in the wood grandfather used in the fireplace in their log cabin home.

Mother used to tell us also about the play house they had under a row of walnut trees, but I don’t recall any details.

However I do recall the story of:

Uncle Drew & Their Blind Horse

When Grandfather Morgan was away at war, Uncle Mase wanted Uncle Drew to do some work which Uncle Drew stubbornly refused to do, so Uncle Mase gave him a thrashing.

Uncle Drew, terribly angy, disheartened & blue, took himself to the pasture, thinking to end it all, by lying down in front of their old blind horse to be stepped on.

The horse though blind was filled with wisdom & years & knowledge of small boys & just wouldn’t step on Uncle Drew. So—Uncle Drew had to take up the task of going on living again.

Well, the end of that tale was that the new suit of clothes had to be buried & no telling how long it took to deodorize Uncle Drew.

Melissa Frances Morgan-Hanson

Worked at a hotel in New Providence, Iowa before her marriage.

Last address: New Providence

Birthplace: Rockingham Co. N. C.

Born June 12, 1847

Died Feb. 16, 1873 fol’g birth of her first child. Buried on Morgan lot, Liscomb, Ia. Believed to be first adult to die in Iowa. (this was written by her dau. Do not know it its true)

Father’s name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Education: N. C. schools

Married: in 1871

Husband: Olaf Hanson

Children: Melissa Frances Hanson b. Liscomb, Iowa Feb. 10, 1873. Melissa was such a tiny baby weighing only 3 # that her Uncle Mason remarked that she looked just like a little Bird. The name Birdie seemed tofit her and she was always known by that name.

Political affiliation: Democrat

Religious affiliation: Christian Church

Father Morgan’s chief crop was tobacco. He had a manufactoring plant on the place for making plug tobacco, twirls and cigars. The cigars were all made by hand. It was a very particular trick to put the last wrapper on the cigars. Mother Morgan and Melissa always did that.

It was disagreeable to work in the tobacco. As soon as the plants were of any size, all the extra shoots were kept primed off so the main leaves would grow larger. A sort of sticky substance formed on the tobacco in the green stage, which adhered to the clothing, when at work in the fields, and it was impossible to wash it off. Consequently, the workers wore old clothes which were burned when the working season was over. The tobacco had big green worms on it. Emma Morgan often told how afraid she was of them and her sister Lou and brother Jim would threaten to put one on her back.

Before making plug tobacco Father Morgan would drive to his patron’s and take orders. Each person stated what flavor they wanted used. It had to be soaked in something before it could be molded into plugs. Some ordered it soaked in brandy, others in licorice and water. It was then packed into a mold and placed under the tobacco screws. The pressing was done by horse power. After it remained in this mold for a certain length of time, it was taken out and cut into plugs with an immense knife, which was also run by horse power. Then the plugs, just as you see them in the stores, were ready for sale. A blind horse, Charlie, was hitched to a lever to turn the screw down on the press. The creaking noise it made as Charlie walked around the circle hurt one’s ears.

The small crop of wheat raised on the plantation was threshed by a machine whose power was a treadmill operated by two horses. Father Morgan with Nancy and Melissa would winnow the wheat by the deft use of a sheet, creating a breeze to blow the chaff away. The wheat would be taken to the mill to be ground when a “grist” of wheat would be loaded on old Charlie. The Morgan children insisted that the water wheel turning to grind the wheat always said, “Wick—er,” o’er and o’er. The mill to them was always Wickers Mill.

Mother Morgan was a mid-wife and was very proud of her record of never having any mother or baby she had helped thro’ childbirth die. It was indeed a bitter loss to have her daughter Melissa die because of a traveling “so called doctor’s” incompetence. The first little grandchild was welcomed into the family with open arms by everyone. In 1955 Birdie Hanson-Clark is the oldest living cousin and all her life has never ceased to be a delight to all who have known her. In 1952 she flew to New Orleans, La. and spent the winter with her son Ed and his wife. She had many wonderful sight seeing trips and enjoyed each trip with the enthusiasm that has always been part of Birdie. In 1953 Birdie flew to Dallas, Texas where she spent the winter again with Ed and his wife. The years have not dimmed the sparkle in Birdie’s eyes or her interest in everything in our fast moving world of today. She was choir leader and church pianist for 20 years and sang in the Floyd Co. Women’s Chorus. Most of her married life was spent on farms. She spends part of her time now at her home in Nora Springs, Iowa. Before Birdie was married she drove about the country with her horse and buggy giving music lessons.

A.) Melissa Francis Hanson-Clark

Home address: Nora Springs, Iowa

Birthplace: Liscomb, Iowa

Born: Feb. 10,1873

Died: July 26, 1959

Father’s name: Olaf Hanson

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Morgan

Married: Nov. 6, 1895

Educated through high school

Husband: Fred C. Clark

Husband’s father’s name: Adolphus Clark

Husband’s mother’s maiden name: Margaret Herald

Husband’s birthplace: Westfield, Indiana

Husband born: July 4, 1872

Political affiliation: Republican

Religion affiliation: Christian Church

Children of Melissa Francis Hanson-Clark and Fred C. Clark: Paul C. Clark, b. Oct. 19, 1896 at Bangor, Iowa, Wade H. Clark b. Feb. 1, 1898 at Union, Iowa, Neil H. Clark b. Nov. 1, 1899 at Union, Iowa, Vivian M. Clark b. July 26, 1901 at Union, Iowa, Max R. Clark b. Aug 10, 1904 at Union, Iowa, Ed. D. Clark b. Aug. 14, 1909 at Union, Iowa, Roger Clark b. Nov. 25, 1914 at Nora Springs, Iowa.

Family background: Swedish-English

Taught piano 25 years

Past president of American Legion Auxiliary

Member of Farm Bureau

Paul C. Clark

Occupation: Oil distributer

Home Address: Eldora, Iowa

Birthplace: Bangor, Iowa

Born Oct. 19, 1896

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Francis Hanson

Educated through high school

Married March 3, 1939

Wife’s name: Estelle Louise Dickson

Wife’s mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth Ann Todd

Wife’s father’s name: Horace Hale Dickson

Wife’s birthplace: Stuart Iowa

Wife born: Apr. 23, 1902

Children: Betty Clark-Wilson b. March 26, 1931 at Hampton, Iowa

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Methodist

Family background: Swedish-English

Military service: World War I

Business Connection: Oil company

Belongs to Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, American Legion, V. F. W., Wild Life.

Owns his home

Wade H. Clark

Occupation: Sales Manager Chevrolet Co.

Home address: 1707 Soth Grandview, Dubuque, Iowa

Birthplace: Union, Iowa

Born Feb. 1, 1898

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Educated through high school

Married Nov. 21, 1923

Wife: Mae Werner

Wife’s father’s name: Leo Werner

Wife’s mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth Thompson

Wife’s birthplace: Dubuque, Iowa

Wife’s birthdate: May 5, 1901

Children: Shirley Clark-Becker born Aug. 13, 1927 at Dubuque, Iowa

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Methodist

Military Service: World War I

Business Connections: Automobile Industry

Family background: Swedish-English

Member of American Legion, Order of Elks and Eagles Lodge

Neil N. Clark

Occupation: Plastering

Home address: Pasadena, California

Birth Place: Union, Iowa, b. Nov. 1, 1899

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Educated in grammar school

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Christian Church

Military Service: World War II

Family background: Swedish-English

Vivian Clark

Occupation: Housewife

Home address: 1623 E. 9, Des Moines, Iowa

Birthplace: Union, Iowa

Born: July 26, 1902

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Educated at Drake University

Married: Dec. 25, 1923

Husband: E. T. Marshall

Husband’s father’s name: Isaac Marshall

Husband’s mother’s maiden name: Ella Mae McGovern

Husband’s birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa

Husband born: June 28, 1901

Children: E.T. Marshall, Jr. b. Aug. 5, 1925 at Des Moines, Iowa

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Methodist

Family background: Swedish-English

Member of Legion Auxiliary and Chariman of WC.S.C.

Made trip through Carlsbad Cavern and Grand Canyon.

Saw their son receive his Master’s Degree from Boston Univ.

5.) Max R. Clark

Superintendent of schools

Home Address: 1815 Loras Blvd., Dubuque, Iowa

Birthplace: Union, Iowa

Born Aug. 10, 1904

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden Name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Education: M.A. State University of Iowa

B.A. Iowa State Teachers College

Married June 22, 1931

Wife’s name: Dorothy Alice Cunliffe

Wife’s father’s name: Alfred B. Cunliffe

Wife’s mother’s maiden name: Emily Gell

Wife’s birthplace: Burnley, Engand

Wife’s birthdate: May 7, 1905

Children: Barbara Ann Clark-Jewett b. Aug. 21, 1932 at Oelwein, Iowa

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Methodist

Family background: Swedish-English

Superintendent of schools 23 yrs. and in school work a total or 29 years.

Memberships & Offices held in organizations:

Past President of Rotary Club

President of N. E. District Boy Scout Council

President of N. E. District Education Assoc.

Past President Civic Music Asociation

Past President Iowa Superintendents

Member of Elks, Masonic Lodge, Shriner

Past President of Dubuque Community Chest

Director of United Fund of Iowa

Owns his home

In recent Des Moines Register article it was noted that Mrs. Max Clark was one of the ass’t’s helping the Gov. wife at one of her receptions. Max took part in the Gov. inauguration ceremonies at request of Gov. Hoegh.

Des Moines Sunday Register

December 5, 1954

Six Iowans were named at a meeting of the United fund of Iowa here Sat. Night as recipients of the National United Defense Fund Citation.

The Citations, announced by C. William Schneider, executive secretary of the United Fund of Iowa were “in recognition of services to military and civilian personnel” in the nation’s defense efforts.

Among the six honored was Superintendant Max Clark of Dubuque, Iowa. He is a past president of the Community Chests and Councils of Iowa, was cited for his role in “making citizens of Northeast Iowa” cognizant of their defense responsibilities.

The citations were signed by President Eisenhower as honorary chairman of the United Defense Fund, Gen. Omar N. Bradley, UDF Chairman; and Lt. Gen. James M. Doolittle, Edward L Ryerson and Michael T. Kelecher, all holding UDF offices.

The United Defense Fund was set up to finance the USO and the defense-related programs of four other national voluntary agencies. Iowa UDF contributions are raised through the United Fund.
6.) Edward D. Clark

Supt. of plastering

Home address: 11216 Stallcup, Dallas, Texas

Birthplace: Union, Iowa

Born Aug. 14, 1909

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Educated through high school

Married Aug. 12, 1938

Wife’s name: Ura Keys

Wife’s father’s name: W. Keys

Wife’s mother’s maiden name: Lida Aden

Wife’s birthplace: Texas

Wife born: Nov. 30, 1917

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Religious affiliation: Protestant

Family background: Swedish-English

Military Service: World War II 4 yrs. Navy

Owns his home.

Edward was a star athelete in High School.

Occupation: Sash & Door – Woodwork

Home address: 1006 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa

Birthplace: Nora Springs, Iowa

Born Nov. 25, 1914

Father’s name: Fred C. Clark

Mother’s maiden name: Melissa Frances Hanson

Educated through High School

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Christian Church

Family background: Swedish-English

Military Service: World War II

Member of V.F.W. and Eagles
Mason Fuel Morgan (known as Mase)

Occupation: Was a prominent Iowa school teacher for over forty years.

Last address: 231^st Drake Park, Des Moines, Iowa

Born in Stokes Co. N. Carolina

Born Feb. 6, 1849

Father’s name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Education: Started schooling in N. C. Mason, A. J. (known as “Drew” or “Jack”), Emma, Mattie, Lou and Jim Morgan were all students under the renowned Mr. Jennings, Principal of the Liscomb School. After Mason had attended several years under Prof. Jennings he taught a year or two of school then attended Penn College at Oskaloosa, Iowa. Some years later Mason attended Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated from the Normal Department.

Married April 2, 1900

Wife’s maiden name: Judith Elizabeth Garrett

Wife was born April 19, 1870

She studied to be a missionary, as many of her family did. Her missionary service, however, was to be among her own family. After her mother’s death she went to live in the lovely farm home near De Lota, Iowa where she kept house for her father until she was married. After her husband’s death she cared for an invalid brother and sister in her own home in Des Moines. In 1954 and ’55 she is caring for an invalid brother in his home.

Judith was always a kind, very gracious lady and most hospitable to everyone and she is beloved by all who know her.

Children: Hubert Sidney Morgan and Helen E.

Political affiliation: Democrat

Religious affiliation: Christian Church

As a boy on the plantation after the end of the civil war a rebel cavalry soldier on one of the horses given by Gen. Grant to all the rebel cavalry soldiers, came riding thro’ the field where Mace was working. The soldier asked Mace for directions to a certain place. Mace gave the desired information. The man dismounted, walked over to Mace, and knocked him down. He then remounted and rode away. This incident illustrates the feeling the returned rebels had for any northern sympathizer.

Mace was most anxious that his parents would be cared for properly in their old age and delayed his marriage until they had passed away. James paid for perpetual care of the Morgan lot in the Liscomb cemetery. When his brother Jim was 8 yrs old he wanted to adopt him so that he could personally see that Jim rec’d a fine education. It was due to Mace’s influence that Jim rec’d his Ph.B. degree from Drake University. Jim had covered 4 yrs. preparatory work and four yrs. University work in three yrs. of actual attendance. Prof. Shepard once asked Mace why his brother Jim had never returned to finish his work so he could graduate. When Macer told of Jim’s record Prof. Shepard at once saw to it that Jim was given his diploma and rec’d his Ph. B. degree.

Throughout Mace’s life no matter where he lived his influence for all that was good and fine in life was felt by everyone who came in contact with him.

At the 1954 Morgan reunion the program was in memory of “Uncle Mace.” Glowing tribunes were paid by all present and read from letters sent in by other relatives. His son Hubert gave many interesting sidelights on his father’s life. Mace used a piano stool to teach his son to swim. Mace was ahead of his times in many educational ways. Was advocating a “teacher’s pension bill” long before his death.

It was heart-warming to listen to Hubert’s fine talk about his worthy father and to realize that as long as any Morgan descendant is alive or any pupil of Mason Morgan lives the name of Mason Morgan will stand for Nobility, Honesty, the best of education and good Citizenship. As a pioneer teacher his influence will go marching on and on.

Mace is buried in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa

Died: Dec. 23, 1935
A.) Hubert Sydney Morgan

Occupation: Branch Manager International Business Machines Corporation

Home address: 85 Crescent Street, Waterbury, Conn.

Born in Deep River, Iowa, Feb. 23, 1903

Father: Mason Fuel Morgan

Mother: Judith Elizabeth Garrett

High school and Business College education

Married: Dorothy Elizabeth Quinn, May 29, 1925

Wife born: April 29, 1904, Des Moines, Iowa

Wife’s father: Edward J. Quinn

Wife’s mother’s maiden name: Hattie Lansing

Wife had high school and business college education

Political affiliation: Republican

Religious affiliation: Protestant

Member of Waterbury Rotary Club, National Sales Executives Club, Waterbury Club, National Association of Cost Accountants. Mrs. Morgan member of D.A.R., Waterbury Women’s Club, First Church of Waterbury Guild.

Daughter: Janean Rae Morgan-Mayhew

Born: Oct. 14, 1929, Des Moines, Iowa

High school and college education

Married: Clifford Lee Mayhew, June 15, 1952

Clifford is studying medicine at Jefferson University

Address: 3238 North 15^th Street, Philadelphia

Children: Kevin Morgan Mayhew, b. Nov. 7, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pa.

Helen E. Morgan-Ambler

Worked in a Des Moines Bank before marriage

Home address: Brook Forest Road, Everbreen, Colorado

Born: Oct 20, 1905

Mother’s maiden name: Judith Garrett

Father’s name: Mason Fuel Morgan

Married: Henry J Liebbe (deceased)

Don Ambler

Helped on his father’s plantation.

Born: Boonville, North Carolina, Stokes Co.

Died: Sept. 20, 1866

Father’s Name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

One morning Mason, Sidney and A. J. went out to prime the tobacco. They saw a mother squirrel run up a tree with some food in her mouth. Sid said, “I’m going up there and get a little squirrel for a pet.” His brothers tried to persuade him not to but Sid was determined. He punched the squirrel out of a hole in a tree. The squirrel jumped into the bosom of his shirt, stuck its claws into his flesh. Sidney fell and was killed instantly. In times of distress all neighbors blew into a cow’s horn that had some water in it. It made a peculiar sound and could be heard for a long distance. Father Morgan blew the horn when Sid was killed and soon many neighbors were there.

Father Morgan had the tree cut down right away and the distance from ground to the squirrel’s nest in the hole of the tree measured exactly 50 ft.

Sid was surely the adventurous type. His brother Jim recalls the time Sid ran and jumped across the vats in the tannery. These large vats were sunk in the ground and were filled with a yellowish kind of water. Whenever an oak tree was cut the bark was saved and sold to the tannery.

William Sidney Morgan was buried in a cemetery near Booneville, N. C.

The family had no pictures of William Sidney.
Martha Ann Morgan-Hauser (known as “Mattie”)

Housewife

Last Address: Gowrie, Iowa R.F.D.

Birthplace: Stokes Co., North Carolina

Born: Aug. 11, 1853

Died: June 10, 1935

Buried: Gowrie Iowa Cemetary

Father’s name: Hardinson Morgan

Mother’s maiden name: Elizabeth White

Education: Early education in North Carolina schools. Finished under professor

Jennings at Liscomb, Iowa.

Married: Nov. 11, 1874

Husband: George Washington Hauser

Husband’s father: John Henry Hauser

Husband’s mother’s maiden name: Anna Eliza Middleton

Husband born in Indiana. Came to Hardin Co. Iowa in a covered wagon. Later

moved to Webster County, Iowa.

Husband born: March 3, 1853. Died Nov. 19, 1935. Buried Gowrie, Iowa.

Children: Glenn W., Grace L., Edward K., Fern L., E. Beulah, M. Gay, Russel L., and Owen K.

Religious Affiliation: Christian Church

“Just a Housewife.” What a world of meaning in those few words. Only one who herself has been a housewife can testify to the long hours only lightened by the love of one’s family. The following article written about Matt Hauser for Woman’s Farm Journal by her daughter E. Beulah and reprinted in her daughter E. Beulah’s book “The Wind Whispers” tells a little of Matt’s life. The fol’g is used by permission of the copywrite owner E. Beulah Hauser from her book “The Wind Whispers.”

“An Iowa Pioneer”

Thirty-one thousand qts. of fruit, vegetables, jelly, jam and pickles, canned almost entirely from her own garden and orchard, with an approximate value of $10,000, is one of the many interesting experiences in the homemaking activities of Mrs. G. W. Hauser, Gowrie, Iowa, one of the few remaining pioneers of the community. In addition to providing food for the family table this activity has netted Mrs. Hauser a tidy little income.

Though her hair is like the driven snow and her face a ‘well written page,’ the same spirit which met the cry of the lonely wolf outside the prairie home, still shines from her eyes.

During the past summer, at the age of 76, Mrs. Hauser canned 1000 qts.

A second ‘Burbank’ in nature, many interesting experiments have been worked out in her garden and flowers and she remembers with pride the blue ribbons won on her products while her husband was winning similar honors in the livestock department, at the county fairs, making the trip with her family in the lumber wagon, 25 miles distant, to exhibit her wares.

After her marriage Mrs. Hauser came from Liscomb, Iowa to Gowrie, Iowa and here at her home ‘The Maples’ she had devoted her life to the rearing of 8 children and the making and keeping of the beautiful home which grew out of the little prairie shack of more than half a century ago.

Handicapped by lack of advantages which she coveted herself, Mrs. Hauser determined to have them for her children and directed their activities thro’ the little one room school to the doors of the University.

She cooperated with the rural teachers for better schools, encouraged literary programs, singing schools, old time spelling schools and community gatherings and has honestly earned the title “Community Builder.”

Without aid or advice such as is found today for suggestive reading material in every newspaper and magazine, her choice of books for her library would stand the most rigid test of modern time and provided a glimpse of the outside world and inspiration for the growing mind. A new book for each child was added to her shelves at each Christmas season and these are now being read and enjoyed by her 8 grandchildren.

A great lover of nature and the out-of-doors, she attributes her straight back and vitality to her outdoor activities.

Gymnasiums were unheard of in her day and the only “setting up” exercises with which she is familiar were taken at ‘2:00 A.M.’ with a croupy baby.

Would the housewife of today, with her smaller family, modern conveniences and advantages find time to devote to making hay, milking, serving the family as cook, laundress, nurse, seamstress and community builder? You will say, “But she had no clubs, farm bureau activities or P.T.A. as we have today!” Not as we have them today, no, but in her own way she sought to supply these needs under difficult circumstances and instilled the desire for culture in the minds of her children and the community.

The bleak Iowa prairies, with the wild hay lands, marshes and streams, afforded many interesting lessons in the study of nature, wild flowers and birds which were better than any found in books today. Frozen streams in winter provided wholesome sport along with sleighing, skiing and trapping.

Mrs. Hauser was the leading spirit in maintaining a high standard for rural schools, rural church and Sunday School services and singing school through the winter months.

Outgrowing the country church she was charter member of the first Christian Church organized in Gowrie, later serving as President of the Missionary Society, ladies aid and other church auxiliaries.

Always a builder by nature she made her plans and, by hard labor, executed them.. One ambition was to build her ideal home while her children were with her to enjoy it and her ideal was inspired by the Colonial Mansions with the wide porches and spacious living rooms of her beloved southland.

Riding on the running gears of a wagon in the blazing summer sun, Mrs. Hauser hauled most of the lumber to build the first new house and barn. A drought that same year destroyed the crops and with the heavy expense of building, prospects were discouraging for many years.

The first steps taken for the new home had their beginning in the early days with the laying out of the grounds and planting of the large grove of maples which gave her home its name. These trees were arranged to satisfy the artistic as well as the practical demands such as we now secure thro’ the modern wind breaks.

Next came her flowers with roses predominating and from the dainty little white rose taken from her own mother’s garden and transplanted on the Iowa prairie more than half a century ago, we find all varieties and colors. Her crimson rambler reached far above her head, her American Beauty was as rare as any hot house product. Strangers passing by often stopped for a closeup view of this rose. Many hearts have been gladdened by her gift of roses for her motto is “Say it with flowers today, for tomorrow their petals wither, their incense dies and fades away.”

Always in advance of her time this ambitious woman trained her family in such health habits as sanitation, fresh air, and tho’ she knew nothing of vitamins in the early days, her choice of foods for growing children would satisfy our menus today.

Holidays were always observed in her home and hold a special significance to the children and grandchildren. Since the first Christmas in the little prairie home, a gay little Christmas tree with a tinsel star gleaming from the top most point has shown thro’ the window on Christmas eve and the real and abiding spirit of Christmas has been passed on to the third and fourth generations.

After Mrs. Hauser’s family were grown and she had more leisure she helped organize a Country Club. This Club, meeting once each month, functioned as a social and educational institution and in addition to local talent, outside speakers were introduced.

Gifted in the line of public speaking, she appeared on these programs in her lecture, ‘Chinatown’ in San Francisco.

When the Farm Bureau movement started in her county 14 yrs. ago Mrs. Hauser was chosen as the first chairman of the woman’s division and her township, widely known for its activities, is now one of the strongest in the county with a fine new club house built in the center of the township. This building is used for home talent plays, roller skating, farm bureau meetings and other community activities.

Thro’ her efforts many new movements have been introduced in this organization which have resulted in untold benefit to the community. Interior decorating, bread making, canning, home furnishing, sewing and nutrition are some of the projects studied and the nutrition project was carried on in the rural schools for a time due to her efforts.

Mrs. Hauser is one of the few pioneer ‘Community Builders’ who still remain to see their labors bear fruit.

An optimist by nature, Mrs. Hauser has ‘come up smiling’ thro’ many disheartening experiences. If you were permitted to visit with her as she sits with her patchwork during the winter months, she would tell you of her plans for her next season’s garden and of her ambition to be permitted the strength to work in her garden till called by the ‘Master Gardener’.

Written for Woman’s Farm Journal
A.) Glenn Weston Hauser

Occupation: Farmer, Ran restaurant at Union, Iowa with his brother Ed.

Worked on a railroad train as engineer.

Last home address: 1618 Harding Road, Des Moines 14, Iowa

Birthplace: Liscomb, Iowa

Born: Oct. 27, 1875, died Dec. 22, 1953 in Des Moines Hosp, following a stroke.

Father’s name: George Washington Hauser

Mother’s maiden name: Martha Ann Morgan

Wife: Claire Nordman b. Jan. 16, 1883, died March 4, 1923

Married: November 4, 1912

Children: Zola M., Helen M., Graydon W., Ruth L., Lois J., and Edward K.

Second wife: Emily Biles, married 1941. She was born Feb. 4 1880 and

Died in Des Moines, Dec. 1954

Glenn’s sisters came to his rescue when his first wife died. E. Beulah and Gay Hauser cared for them all for awhile. Then Fern Hauser Ruring took Helen and Graydon. E. Beulah and Gay kept Ruth and Lois. These three sisters mothered the three nieces and one nephew thro’ babyhood, grade and high school as well as college and saw that all had special training in voice, music and dancing and dramatics.

Children of Glenn Weston and Claire Hauser:

Zola Marguerite Hauser. Born and died August 24, 1913 at Barstow, Calif.

Helen Margaret Hauser-Powers

Housewife now but has taught at Spring Hill and Corwith, Iowa

Born: Oct. 29, 1914 at “The Maples”, Gowrie, Iowa

Married: June 12, 1937 at Wash., D.C. to Paul J Powers

Graduated from Gowrie H.S. and from Drake Univ., Des Moines. Wrote a play in H.S. It was presented before she graduated. Member of 4H Club while living with Aunt Fern and Uncle Ernest Ruring at Gowrie.

Children of Helen and Paul Powers.

Leesanne Sue Powers

Born: March 18, 1938

Takes lessons on piano, voice and in drama.

b.) Thomas David Powers

born Aug. 18, 1939

c.) Phillip James Powers

born June 14, 1942

Margaret Louise (Peggy) Powers

Born Dec. 30, 1946

Graydon Ward Hauser

Home addrsss: 1315 6^th Ave., South Carolina

Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa

Born: March 25, 1916 died May 21 1943

Married: Dec. 25, 1942 Hunters Field, Savannah, Georgia to Bonnie Beulah Wakeman of Otho, Iowa. She was born Nov. 20, 1920. One child – Carmen Lee Hauser was born (after her father’s death) on Jan. 26, 1944. Bonnie Hauser later married Charles Hinman. He adopted Carmen Lee.

Graydon graduated from Gowrie, Iowa H.S. in 1936. Took an engineering course at I.S.A.C., Ames, Iowa. Was a member of the Calf Club while living with is Aunt Fern and Uncle Ernest Ruring.

He went to St. Louis, Mo. where he worked and learned aviation. In Dec. 1941 he joined the U.S. Air Force. Later went to Victory Field, Vernon, Texas and to Randolph Field, ”The West Point of the Air.” At Kelly Field, Texas he rec’d his wings and became Lt. G. W. Hauser on Aug. 1942. From Kelly Field he went to Savannah, Georgia to train as a Dive Bomber Pilot, where he was a member and instructor of the 84^th Bombardment Group. While stationed at Drew Field at Tampa, Florida he was known as the “Ace Pilot of Drew Field.” He gave his life on May 21, 1943 at McBee, South Carolina in testing out a new type plane on a reconnaisance flight. The type of plane was found unsatisfactory.

Lt. Graydon W. Hauser’s grave in the Gowrie cemetary was the first grave of a World War II hero.