John Morgan building tenement row. Oct 21-Nov 12, 1889. Part four.

Continued from here.

John Morgan appears to follow a pattern throughout the remainder of this year, and the construction of these small rental units. Upon their completion at the end of 1889, he calls them his tenement row. He works daily on the building of these units while he is in the city. He weekly attends Seventies Council Meetings, identifying those in attendance, and some specific council business. He travels on council, Sunday school, school, and community government assignments to outlying settlements several times a week. And he meets on Groesbeck family/company business from time to time.

The first post of this series begins here, and explains the history of John Morgan's present building.)

1889
October 21
Hired some men to move the barn, they worked at it all day. Rained part of the time.

October 22
Finished moving barn today, brick and rock coming in slowly. Wet weather.

October 23
Met in Council at 1 p.m. … quite an amount of business was transacted.

October 24
Commenced fence across back of lot, dug pits for closets.

October 25
At work at fence and other work about the lot.

October 26
Finished up the fence and received $300 of Heath on lots sold him. Paid for brick, pits, etc.

October 27 John Morgan wrote of meetings, travel, conferences, and rain changing to snow.

October 28
A heavy rain set in early this a.m. turning to snow at noon and continuing during the entire day. Brother J. H. [John Henry] Smith called and reported all well in Colorado. Together we visited the Groesbeck Company office and had a talk with Hyrum [Groesbeck] about affairs.

October 29
Still storming. Roads too heavy to do any hauling. Brought building to a standstill and made the roads impassable.

On the 30th he attended [presumably Seventies] council meeting, where quite a large amount of business was attended to, and traveled to Kaysville to attended a political rally with brother Roberts. They spent the night there.

October 31 Some bricks delivered today. Weather has become somewhat more settled, but the streets and roads are nearly impassable. The storm has been of incalculable benefit to farmers.
...
November 7
At work about the building all day. Met Mr. Heath who paid me $1,000.00.

November 8
Settled a number of building bills and helped the man at work making a closet.

November 9
Bought an old trunk and sent Annie some dried fruit from Teasdales.
...
November 12
Left home on the 8 a.m. train for Huntsville, Weber County ... met with the 75 Quorum of Sevenies ... Stormy night. Administered to four sick children of brother Angus McKay's family.

(To be continued.)
From John Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Remember.

Mary Elizabeth Herbert and Percy Harold Rex. One of many gatherings of Thanksgiving in their Randolph, Utah home.

Glenn and Helen Rex Frazier on the left. Helen's youngest sister Flora to Helen's left.

Glenn Frazier on the left. Dorothy Tipton and Maeser Morgan Rex, and Percy Harold Rex. Flora and sister Helen in front, with their backs to us.

The next generation, Bessie, Rex, and Irene cleaning up in the kitchen afterwards. This picture was taken in the early 1960's.

These pictures are from Harold Morgan Rex's collection. Thank you to cousin Yara.

John Morgan. Building. Sept 20-Oct 20, 1889. Part three.

Continued from here.

1889
September 20
Rained today. At home [Salt Lake] nearly all day. Attended the meeting of 8th Quorum at the Social Hall. Brother Robert Campbell after a five months absence was present and spoke. I followed. A good attendance.

The next day John Morgan arranged for railroad rates for Colorado members, presumably traveling to Salt Lake City for the upcoming general conference. And the following day he traveled to Coalville, Utah to attend a Sunday School Union.

September 23
Left for home [Salt Lake City] at 8 a.m. Arrived at noon. Quite cool. Some snow on the west mountains. Attended a lecture at the Theatre by Mrs. Dr. Longshore Potts, in Physiology and the laws of health.

September 24
John Morgan met with the Sunday School Union Board and was appointed to a committee to arrange with the Salt Lake Stake Superintendency [sic] for a Sunday School Jubilee. The following day he and his wife, Mellie, traveled to Heber City for a Sunday School Conference where he attended numerous meetings. He wrote, “All the meetings were well attended and a good spirit prevailed and much good will I trust resulted from the visit.” Upon their return home on the 30th, he wrote “very tired.”

October 1
Brother Lorenzo Snow called today and notified me that the brethren of the Authorities had selected me to take charge of a Bureau of information to be established by the church and the question was quite extensively canvassed.

Through the 12th his days were filled with general conference meetings, visitors, and acquiring railroad accommodations. On that day, he “Got a horse and harness hitched to the buggy and drove around with Mellie and the children …

October 15
At work getting ready to build.

October 16
Drove to Brains Brick Kiln and bought 6,000 bricks. Met with First Council and had an interesting meeting … I bought 1,500 bricks of J. Green of Sessions.

October 17
Looked for Adobies [sic] and building material. Closed contract with J. G. Green to build five cottages for $2,300, he to furnish all material, except brick and rock and do all work, finishing everything in good workmanlike manner. [Note: Information about these cottages is found here.]

October 18
At work getting building ground laid off and ready to take out foundation.

October 19

Busy getting building material. In the afternoon received an invitation to go to Nephi to Quarterly Conference from brother F. M. Lyman, but failed to go.

October 20
At home for the first Sunday in a long time. Attended service at the Tabernacle, a returned missionary and President George Q. Cannon spoke. Mellie quite unwell with abscess on breast.
(To be continued.)

Building. John Morgan. Aug 6-Sept. 19, 1889.

Continued from here. Manassa, Colorado.

August 6
Assisted in the haying during the day. In the evening held meeting at Richfield and found an opposing spirit among the people. [Note: A hand-drawn map of this part of Colorado is posted here.]

August 7
At work in the hay harvest in the morning. During the day drove with brother Goddard to Hyrum G’s [unknown] ranch, but failed to find it.

August 8
This is the 47th anniversary of my birthday at work in the field and at night had a gathering of friends. Quite a house full and a most agreeable time. Kept up until near midnight.

August 9
Started early with brother Goddard on a trip to the San Juan Stake taking car at Antonito, leaving at 12 o’clock. Passed through a heavy hail storm during the afternoon, arriving at Durango at 9 p.m. and put up at the Blaine House.

August 10
Met brother Baker from Mancos early this morning and at 8 a.m. left for Mancos. Nooned at LaPlata River and after a thirty mile drive arrived at Bishop Geo. Halls where we were kindly cared for by sister Halls.

August 11 For the next month John Morgan was fully immersed in the community and the haying and harvest season. On the 15th, Looking after the hay and met with some of the Directors of the Mexican Colonization and Agricultural Company and adjourned over until tomorrow at 2 p.m. The August 18th quarterly San Luis Stake conference involved travel and meetings throughout the area.

August 22
Plowed the trees out this morning, then drove to Sanford, and attended meeting … On the 23rd, At work at the peas and corn today.

August 24
Pushing the work in the harvest Took Pinckards mower home and rode down the river three miles looking for a pair of horses on the range.

August 25
At home quiet all day. Did not go out to meeting and had a good rest. A number called in during the evening to see if there was anything the matter.

August 26—September 13 John Morgan continued haying, fencing, irrigating, hauling, cutting corn, stacking, meeting, milling, thrashing, shed building, plowing, etc., etc.

September 14
Finished work on the lots and turned the hogs in. Got the team together and started the sulky plow work. Had quite a time with the black mare kicking. Fell very unwell today.

September 15
Confined to the house with rhumatism [sic] and in pain all night …

September 16
Some better today but not able to do anything. Arranged to start to Utah.

… September 19 Had breakfast at Green River, dinner at Provo, and arrived at home [Salt Lake City] at 7 p.m. finding all well. Have been absent since last days of July.

[Note: The Sulky Plow is a horse drawn type of plow used in the late 19th century, prior to the introduction of mounted tractor plows. The name comes from the use of a sulky two wheeled cart with the plow mounted below.]

(To be continued.)

Journal entries and picture from John Morgan collection, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.

Building! Is John Morgan talking about doing it, or working on one? (1889-1891) Part One

I’ve tried to understand the building of the “Morgan Hotel,” which took place in 1890-91. A closer look at John Morgan’s journal entries has helped. And I looked at his son, Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan’s, biography, The Man Who Moved City Hall.

It says, “in the first eight years after the death of the Groesbecks, (Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck died December 28, 1883; Nicholas Groesbeck died June 29, 1884) the extensive estate was being distributed and the heirs were living well. John Morgan, emulating his father-in-law, attempted to make real estate work for him and his family.”

“Part of Mellie’s inheritance, Nick [Nicholas Greosbeck Morgan] had heard his mother say, was a 10-acre plot of ground between Main and State streets and between Thirteenth and Fourteenth south streets. This was sold for $300 an acre, a total of $3,000, money they used to build five modest rental homes in November and December, 1889. John had workmen tear down an old barn in the rear of their home, and by using a lot to the rear of the Chamber of Commerce Building, just being erected, found room for the rentals. All five of the dwellings, each of which had four rooms and a summer kitchen, cost $2,300.

You might want to acquaint yourself with John Morgan’s family members. A list can be found here on the Ancestor Files.

From John Hamilton Morgan's journal at the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.

1889
June 26
John went to Manassa, and as part of a committee, drafted ordinances for the newly incorporated town of Manassa, Colorado. “We selected some covering misdemeaners [sic] and prohibited the sale of liquor.” …

June 28
Arrived in Denver at 6:30 a.m. Had my hair cut and cleaned. Breakfast, etc., and then called and had a talk with Mr. Pedrick. Agt. of the Maxwell Land Grant about the sale of some land. Visited Rollins Investment Agency for the purpose of selling some school bonds. Then called on Mr. [blank space], Secretary Land Board and arranged for the sale of a section of land on the 26th of July. Spent the rest of the day looking around the city and at 8:30 p.m. took D. and R. G. train for Salt Lake …

July 9 [back in Salt Lake City]
Went to Juvenile [Instructor] Office and then into town. Met and talked over a trade of real estate with Frank Armstrong. Fixed up a number of screens about the house.

July 10
At work about the place during the morning … Brother Cannon loaned me his horse and buggy and Mellie and I drove out to the Penetentiary [sic] and had a pleasant visit with B. H. [Brigham Henry] Roberts who was looking and feeling well.

July 11
… Met brother Wooley and looked through the Hotel building with the idea of tearing down and rebuilding. …

July 12 [John Morgan's trip to Manti, Utah is posted here.]

On the 27th In company wife and Nicholas, went out to the Penetentiary and had a visit with brother B. H. Roberts. …

July 29
Arranged to start to Colorado. Arranged for the sale of three acres of land south of the city to Fred Heath.

July 30
Had the deed for the land made and received $500.00 on it with note payable in 18 months at 10%. At 4 p.m. took train for Nephi [his 3rd wife, Mary Ann, was living in Nephi].

July 31
Remained at aunties quiet all day and enjoyed the rest very much.

August 1
Left on early train and went to Provo… At 11:40 a.m. met brother George Goddard on the D. and R. G. train and in company with him started for Colorado … on Aug 3 arrived opposite town [presumably Manassa], at 12:00 noon. Annie [his 2nd wife] with the team waiting for us.
On the 4th Sunday Schools of the Stake met at Manassa at 10 a.m. A large attendance …

August 5
At work about the place getting ready for haying. Obtained Pinckards machine and rake. Visited among the saints with brother Goddard. Held meeting at Sanford; well attended and a good spirit prevailing. Returned home after meeting.

(To be continued.)

Joseph Smith Morgan (1893-1948)

VETERANS DAY!

Joseph Smith Morgan was born to John Hamilton and Annie Smith Morgan in Manassa, Colorado. All of John Hamilton Morgan's sons are pictured on a picture pedigree chart here.

Joseph was born on December 27, 1893. The 1900 Manassa, Colorado Census shows Joseph living with his mother and siblings as a five year old. In 1920 Joseph was living in Salt Lake City with his mother, widowed sister, Iva, and her two sons. The next year, 1921, Joseph was married to Violet Loretta Dudler. The information about the children born to them in New Family Search is sobering, and so very sad.

Joseph's headstone in the Salt Lake City cemetery is above and shows him serving as a PFC in Med Dept during World War I. The information I requested about his war service has yet to arrive.

Joseph and Violet's headstones are facing the tree trunk below. The tree sent out a root that's grown huge and separated the stones, pushing them apart. I found Joseph's headstone a year or more ago. I nearly missed Violet's.

I took the picture of the newspaper clipping below. It is in my Grandmother Bessie Morgan Rex's scrapbook. She was Joseph's half-sister, born to John Hamilton and Helen Melvina "Mellie" Groesbeck Morgan, two years before Joseph was born to Annie.

John Hamilton Morgan. Death, 1894.

I’m posting this additional material I’ve collected about John Morgan’s death here. And this picture. I couldn't positively identify John Morgan when I first found this picture among an unlabeled group two years ago. Now I can. The very best source for John Morgan's death is found here and here at The Ancestor Files.

Funeral of John Morgan
Eulogistic Speeches and Impressive Services at the Tabernacle

Elder John Morgan of the Presiding Council of seventies of the Mormon Church was buried from the Tabernacle with elaborate and impressive ceremonies. The deceased had been a soldier on the Union side curing the war, and got his early fame as a member of this church from labors in the Southern States mission. The tabernacle was therefore decorated with appropriate martial ensigns, among them a flag which the deceased had carried through the battle of Selma, Ala., and a funeral panegyric was delivered by Elder Roberts, who had been associated with Elder Morgan throughout his church career. Many words of laudation, of love and sorrow were spoken, and the feeling seemed to prevail that the church and all it’s people had sustained a severe loss in the death of the elder.

Besides Elder Roberts, Elders Kimball, Fjeksted, Goddard, and John Henry Smith spoke of the deceased’s life and work. The choir sang “Oh My Father,” and President Joseph F. Smith pronounced the benediction.

The remaining six members of the Council of Seventies acted as pall-bearers. The internment took place at the city cemetery, a large number of carriages following the remains to their last resting place.

Extracts from George Q. Cannon’s Journals:

August 15, 1894 – “I was deeply grieved today to hear of the death of Elder John Morgan, one of the Seven Presidents of Seventies. I felt very badly about his sickness, and I have feared that it might terminate fatally, because he left here very much depressed and worn out in body and mind. His depression was caused by the loss of almost all he had - - a property of considerable value, and he was literally stripped of everything. I do not know a man that we could put our hands on at present that would fill his place. I almost feel as though it was a public calamity.”

August 18, 1894 – “At 12 o’clock we went to the Assembly Hall to attend the funeral services of Elder John Morgan. President Seymour B. Young, of the Seventies, took charge of the meeting, and called upon Brothers B. H. Roberts, J. G. Kimball, C. D. Fjelsted, John Henry Smith and George Goddard, after which he spoke, on behalf of the First Presidency, Presidents Woodruff and Smith desired me to make some remarks. The remarks of the brethren were very pertinent, and it is rarely a man receives higher encomiums than our deceased brother did from all who spoke. The Assembly Hall was well filled. A number of non-Mormons were present, for he was a man that was highly respected by all who knew him, and had been a gallant soldier in the Union army during the civil strife.”

Obituary from Jay Wade and Marriott Library, Special Collection, University of Utah. Picture and George Q. Cannon quotes from Marriott Library, Special Collection, University of Utah and The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by Arthur Richardson, copyright 1965, by Nicholas g. Morgan Sr., pgs 570-571.