In John Hamilton Morgan’s paper, “The Passing of Nicholas and Elizabeth Groesbeck” posted here John writes about his promise to Elizabeth on her dying bed. Speaking of Elizabeth, he wrote in his journal on 27 Dec 1883 … She gave all of her children good advice and seemed perfectly resigned to die. Made me promise to remind Harmon and Mellie of their promise to do a work in the Temple for her father and mother and relatives …
I’ve looked for evidence of the fulfillment of that promise as I read and study John Morgan’s journal.
1884
17 May, the Logan Temple was dedicated by President John Taylor, John and Mellie Morgan attended.
1888
17 May, the Manti Temple was dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff. John Morgan was in attendance. [From John Morgan's journal (not posted on this blog). The following is from John Hamilton Morgan’s journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.]
1889
July 12
[In Salt Lake City] At work about the place. Attended Sunday School Union Meeting and at 4 p.m. in company with Mellie and baby [probably daughter Gail Morgan born April 3, 1888], started for Manti by U. C. train. Arrived at Nephi at 8:30 p.m.
July 13
Went out and got shaved and at 12:30 p.m. took train for Chester, our party consisting of President J. Gates, myself, Mellie, baby and Mary [this would be John Morgan's 3rd wife Mary Ann Linton Morgan (married 1888)]. A team met us at Chester and took us to Manti. Drove to the Temple and after an hours visit with brother D. H. [Daniel Hammer] Wells, went through all the rooms and out on top. After this we drove to brother Daniel Henries, Mellie, Mary, and I, brother Gates going to brother Benches.
July 14
Met in Seventies Conference at 10 a.m. Called on the Senior president of 7 Quorums and reported the condition of their various quorumns [sic]. President Gates and I both spoke a while. Had dinner at Brother S. C. Smythes. Conference met at 2 p.m. Brothers Gates, Morgan, and Maiben were the speakers. After meeting we drove to Ephraim and put up with Bishop Donius.
July 16
Started early for Chester. A rain last night laid the dust and made the trip delightful. Took train at 9 a.m. Dinner at Nephi and home at 6:40 p.m. …
Daniel Henrie
Seventies in the Eighties, post and this one at The Ancestor Files, further explains John Morgan's responsibilities.
(To be continued.)
Picture by author, flowers by construction barrier in front of the Joseph Smith Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, this summer.
Great post! John Morgan sure did travel a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe bishop in Ephraim was probably Carl C.N. Dorius, who became bishop of Ephraim South Ward in 1877, but I don't know for certain whether he was bishop eleven years later.
Brother Maiben was probably John B. Maiben, counselor to Sanpete Stake President Canute Peterson.
Thank you so much for the help with those folks, Amy. I couldn't come up with them.
ReplyDeleteI had a roommate in college named Dorius. I was working on a paper about Utah's Black Hawk Indian War at the time, and she mentioned that she had ancestors from Ephraim. It turned out that our ancestors made the trip together to the SLC temple to be sealed to their wives. So -- knowing the name Dorius was a real-life coincidence this time, and not knowing where to look. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the lovely post.