Morgan, William A. 1842-1915

MORGAN, BYAM, WELCH

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/12/2013 at 17:50:14

From the February 18, 1915 Hawarden Independent:

Was Sioux County Pioneer

W.A. Morgan of Ireton Dies In Hospital at Sioux City

W.A. Morgan, one of the most widely known citizens of Sioux County, passed away in a Sioux City hospital last Friday afternoon. He had been in poor health for some time and three weeks before his death went to Sioux City to seek medical aid. He seemed to improve for a time but early last week had a turn for the worst and rapidly declined. His wife and children were at his bedside when the end came. The body was taken to his home at Ireton Saturday afternoon and the funeral was held from the Methodist Church at that place Monday afternoon and was largely attended. The Rev. E.E. Gilbert of Le Mars, an old friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon and was assisted in the service by the Rev. Mark Masters, pastor of the church and by members of the Odd Fellows Lodge from Ireton, Hawarden and surrounding towns who had charge of the services at the grave. The Women's Relief Corps also attended the service in a body. The floral offerings from friends and various societies were many and beautiful.

William A. Morgan was the son of F.K. and Olive Morgan and was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania October 12, 1842 and at the time of his death was 72 years and 4 months of age. With his parents, he moved to Linn County, Iowa in 1854 and from there to Tama County in 1861. He enlisted in the 6th Iowa Cavalry, served 3 years in the Civil War and was honorably discharged in 1865.

On January 25, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Byam in Tama County. Five children were born to this union. One died in infancy. Those who survive are: Alf. Morgan of Hawarden; Hubert of Dodge Center, Minn.; Harry B. of Meckling, S.D.; and Mrs. Cora Ward of Chicago. They resided in Benton County from 1868 to 1882 when the family moved to Sioux County and settled on a farm near Ireton. Fifteen years ago, Mr. Morgan decided to retire from farming, and with his wife, moved into Ireton, which place has continued to be their home. During his residence in Sioux County, Mr. Morgan held many positions of trust. He was twice elected to the office of County Treasurer and was a member of the Board of Supervisors for two terms and later served as mayor of the town of Ireton. He was a man of the strictest integrity and his word was always as good as his bond. These sterling traits of character attracted him to many warm and lasting friends and these learned with deep regret of his demise.

He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Ireton as well as the G.A.R. post at that place. Besides his widow and children, he is survived by six brothers and two sisters: J.N. Morgan of Chadron, Neb.; M.R. Morgan of Toledo, Ia.; A.C. Morgan of Northfield, Minn.; S.E. Morgan of Burlington, Colorado; I.E. Morgan of Omemee, N.D.; F.E. Morgan of Hawarden; Mrs. O.A. Turpening of Sioux City; and Miss Agnes Morgan of Ireton.

Poster's note: The marriage year is difficult to read in the obituary (last number could be a 6, 9 or zero) but the 1900 Federal Census gives their marriage year as 1866. William A. Morgan was the son of Olive Isabel (Welch) and Frederick King Morgan.