MORGAN, J. H.

MORGAN, KNIGHT, KUNKLE, CONE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 12/11/2003 at 13:51:14

Biography reproduced from page 387 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Conspicuous among the citizens of Algona is J. H. Morgan, local representative for the Iowa Central Railway Company. He was born February 23, 1860, and is of English lineage, in both the paternal and maternal lines, his father being Abraham Morgan and his mother, Elizabeth (Morgan) Morgan. The parents were both natives of England. The father came to the United States in 1854 and settled in Illinois, near Galesburg, the mother following about a year later. Abraham Morgan was a coal and iron miner in England and, upon his arrival in the new world he opened up the first coal mine in Knox county, Illinois, and continued as a mine owner and superintendent until his death, which occurred in 1873. Previous to his demise he had acquired outside of his mining interests a considerable body of land. He had demonstrated his loyalty to the United States by tendering his services as a soldier in the Civil war but was rejected on account of too short a stature. He was twice married and as the result of his first union one child was born, Sarah, now the wife of Peter Knight, who resides near Galesburg. By his second marriage he became the father of five children: Isaac, of Cincinnati, Iowa; Jacob, deceased; J. H.; Benjamin, of Illinois; and Minnie, now Mrs. Herman Kunkle, of Illinois.

J. H. Morgan was educated in the common schools of Galesburg and at the age of seventeen entered upon his long and successful railroad career by securing employment in a railroad office in Wataga, Illinois. He remained with this company in various capacities until 1884, acting as extra agent part of the time. In that year he became station agent at Morganville, Kansas, for the Union Pacific Railroad Company. This position he held with credit to himself and satisfaction to the company for thirteen years. Always a public spirited man, Mr. Morgan while residing in Morganville was elected to the office of mayor, a position which he filled most acceptably. Leaving Morganville, he returned to Illinois and spent some time in Aurora and later, in 1900, settled in Algona, being in the employ of the Iowa Central Railroad Company as telegraph operator here. At that time the Iowa Central had no depot building at this point and Mr. Morgan was commissioned to construct a temporary building, which he did of fence boards. He arrived here about November 14, 1900, and after the erection of the temporary station by Mr. Morgan the present station was built under his supervision and it was completed by the last of the following January. During the first five years of his service he was telegraph operator under the company’s agent, a Mr. Klinger, but in 1904 he was given full charge of the office as the company’s agent.

In 1885, at Bristol, Illinois, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Ella Cone, who was born in Plano. They are the parents of six children: Ernest, who is employed as a train despatcher at Moose Jaw, Canada; Horace, who is attending Morning Side College at Sioux City, Iowa, and is also engaged in the cement business; Verba, aged nineteen, who is a graduate of high school and is now engaged in teaching school; Harlan, who is employed as bookkeeper for the egg and poultry house of Priebe & Company; Milton, who is attending school; and Floy Irene, who is five years of age.

Politically Mr. Morgan is affiliated with the republican party, with which he has been affiliated since attaining his majority. He was clerk of the township board at Morganville, Kansas, for several years. He was a member of the Congregational church at Wataga, Illinois, and his wife is a member of the Methodist denomination. Mr. Morgan is owner of the pleasant home now occupied by the family and also has eleven city lots. He is recognized as one of Algona’s leading and most progressive citizens, has a most extensive business and social acquaintance in this city and vicinity, and is in every way one of the most exemplary citizens of Algona.