John Morgan's "Old Beat." The Haywood Valley and surrounding mountains. April 2014.

(Continued from here.)

 Today's roadway through Haywood Valley

This old roadway is no longer used, it was closed thirty years ago. In 1876 John Morgan probably walked into Haywood Valley on it.

 The Armuchee Creek runs through Haywood Valley today very much like it has for years.

 Foundation remnants of a church John Morgan taught at in Haywood Valley were found near this site on Armuchee Creek.

Some Armuchee Creek spots were dammed up to form pools for baptisms.

October 16, 1877, Haywood Valley, Georgia. - Went to Uncle Jeter's where we remained part of the day and stayed all night at Bro. Marshalls'. Uncle Jeter came over and informed us that he had some folks to baptize the next morning. 

This is the Fork in the Road. 

Traveling south from Chattanooga on present day Highway #27 will take you to Rome, Georgia. This fork to the left led into Haywood Valley until thirty years ago. Its now closed off.

Dirt Town was John Morgan and Joseph Standing's first Georgia stop on October 5, 1876. The only Dirt Town, Georgia we found is this deli and market.

October 5, 1876, Dirt Town, Chattooga County, Ga. - Left Covington, Indiana about the 20th of September and came to this locality to preach. Have been quite sick, but am better at present. 

October 28, 1876, Haywood Valley, Georgia - Have been preaching here in this locality and with a good prospect for doing good.

December 3, 1876, Haywood Valley, Georgia - Have been very busy preaching and teaching since I wrote my last entry in my journal. Baptized sixteen persons and have a good prospect for the future.

Country roads roam and roll away from Haywood Valley as we traced our way to the Mannings.

Early plantation lands continue to be farmed today.

Mannings Mill Road is presumably named for the family John Morgan frequently stayed with.

This stream and falls once powered the Mannings' Mill.

I got wrapped up in the beauty of this water and did not take a picture of the nearby home. It may or may not have belonged to the Mannings

This similar early home was a mile or two away from Mannings Mill Road and its history posted beneath.

John Morgan very well could have passed this way during his Civil War days. He certainly did during his missionary service to the Southern States.

(To be continued.)

Gail Hamilton Miers of Greensburg, Indiana

This is John Hamilton Morgan's cousin Gail Hamilton Miers.

b. April, 1866, Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana

p. Mary Susan Logan and Garrard Morgan Hamilton

m. Morgan Miers

d. October 20, 1914

When John Hamilton Morgan began his missionary journal in 1876 he wrote from Normal, Illinois on January 4, 1876:

… I enter here my genealogy:

My grandfather and father were named Garrard Morgan. My grandmother Morgan’s maiden name was Sarah Sanderson. On my mother’s side my great grandfather was named John Hamilton; his wife, Elizabeth. Grandfather was James Hamilton, his wife, Margaret Hamilton. My mother’s name is Eliza Ann Hamilton. Gerrard Morgan, Jr. had a sister, Mary Morgan who married Marshall Hamilton, himself father of Woodson Hamilton.

Descendant Amy at The Ancestor Files once suggested that paragraph may account for why John Morgan's son Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan did not include his family history in the volume he wrote about his father.

In addition to the marriage of Mary Morgan to Marshall Hamilton mentioned above, James and Margaret Hamilton named their youngest son after their oldest daughter's husband, son-in-law Garrard Morgan; thus their youngest son was Garrard Morgan Hamilton.

No wonder Aunt Winnifred Rex Andrus once said, "I don't know how we'll ever straighten the Morgans and Hamiltons out."  To add to this fun Cousin Gail Hamilton, above, married a man whose first name was Morgan--Morgan Miers. 

From John Hamilton Morgan Travels and Journal:

October 27, 1882 - Started early this a.m. and drove to town and at 10 a.m. took train for Indianapolis where I visited cousin Robbins and uncle Morgan Hamilton. Attended the Grand Opera with cousin Gail Hamilton and saw the Hanlons play. Stayed all nigh at uncle Hamiltons.

November 1, 1883 - Left Cin. [Cincinnati] For Greensburg at 8:17 a.m. arriving at 10:40 a.m. and was met at the depot by cousin Gail Hamilton. Went up to uncle Morgan H. and spent the day.

Thank you to cousin Karen M. for sharing this wonderful picture of Gail. I suggest she is the Gail that John and Mellie Morgan named their daughter Gail (born 1888) after.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing 1876 Mission Travels Concluded.

(Continued from here.)

Covington, May 12, 1876 – Plowed during the forenoon, crossed over the River after dinner. Came to Mr. Shelby’s and helped to put down carpet all afternoon for them.

May 13, 1876 – Went up to town today and walked about for some time.

May 14, 1876 – Laid down on the floor during the forenoon, in the afternoon crossed the River and held meeting at Brush College. Mr. Shelby with me.

Covington, Indiana, May 15, 1876 – Assisted to plant some melons this morning. Rode with Mr. Shelby out East several miles after cattle. Secured a Church to preach in and made an effort to get another, but failed.

May 16, 1876 – Went to town this morning to see Joseph [Standing] off. Fasting today. Went fishing this afternoon. 

May 17, 1876 – Came down to the River with Mr. Shelby, crossed over in a canoe and had dinner with Mr. Salts. Rode up to the  Lumter School House with young Jones. Came over to Mr. Crossiklutso. From there to Mr. Johnson’s where I am tonight. A good feeling. Raining some tonight.

Two years later in early 1878 Joseph Standing was again set apart for a mission to the South and assigned to the state of Georgia. In January 1878 John Morgan was called to service as President of the Southern States Mission.

(To be continued.)
John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. http://theancestorfiles.blogspot.com/2010/03/19th-century-presidents-of-southern.html

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue. May 6 - 10, 1876.

Wabash River at Covington, Indiana from Wikipedia

(Continued from Joseph Standing's letter to the Deseret News, and from these  prior journal entries.)

Covington, May 6, 1876 – Read and slept during part of the day. Went to town in the afternoon; walked about the street, visited the cemetery. Went to the Court house, started a fire and wrote awhile. Rung the Bell and called the people together to meeting. Had a good attendance and a good feeling manifested. Came out to Shelby’s tonight.

Grange Hall, May 7, 1876 – Wrote a letter to the Danville Times. Came over in Shelby’s buggy to this place. Spoke to a very full house who gave close attention.

Mt. Zion, Indiana, May 8, 1876 - Mr. Wright brought us up to the cross roads, where we got out and walked down toward the river. Mr. Singer overtook us and gave me a letter from Mellie. Walked over to Mr. Jones’. Had dinner and walked over to Mr. William’s, from there to Mr. Gamison’s, then to Mr. Wright’s, where I had supper; then down to Mr. Jones’ where we stay tonight.

Mt. Zion, May 9, 1876 – Took a boat this morning and went out on the water and moved the logs off the land that Joseph had plowed. Went to Widow Maginnis’ and stayed all night. Preached at the log school house to a good audience.

Mt. Zion, May 10, 1876 – Went up the Railroad to Mr. Jas. Johnson’s where I spent the greater portion of the day very pleasantly talking and listening to Miss Dora play the piano. Came down in the afternoon to Mr. Gamison’s, at time for the meeting went down to the school house but found it locked up. Two gentlemen called on the Director to get the key but were refused; in the meantime I commenced service in the woods to quite a large audience who gave close attention. There was a strong spirit of mob violence, but the Lord overruled it for our good. After the meeting a man by the name of Cole came up and tried to cause difficulty, but failed. The efforts of the evil one only made us friends.

(To be continued.)

Joseph Standing's May 5, 1876 letter from Covington, Indiana to the "Deseret News."

Wabash Water Trail, Indiana from Wikipedia

(Continued from here.)

Elders Joseph Standing and John Morgan both wrote letters on May 5, 1876. The one Joseph Standing wrote to the Deseret News follows. I didn't find a copy of it published in the Deseret News. I did learn further about Oliver Shelby's interest in these missionaries.

Covington, Ind., May 5, 1876

Editor Deseret News:

Brother Morgan and I have been in the vicinity of the above-named place for the last three weeks. During this time we had held some eighteen meetings to large, attentive audiences, and, with scarcely any exceptions, a good spirit has prevailed.

Covington is nicely situated upon the east bank of the Wabash River. Steamboats, before railroads were built through this section of country, used to very frequently ply up and down the river, making Covington a prominent landing.

The Wabash and Erie Canal, until the past two of three  years, has been in constant use since 1846. It was originally designed to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio River, but this was never accomplished. This canal passes through Covington, which contains about 5,000 inhabitants. Its two finest buildings are the court house and county jail. The former building cost the sum of $8775,000, the latter, $105,000.

This county [Fountain] boasts of a poor house, which is a very capacious building, two stories high, built of brick, Brother Morgan and I visited this place, but we were not very favorably impressed with the arrangements made for the unfortunate creatures who are brought  there, and who are the observed of all observers.

How differently are they treated who have been unfortunate in our country. Our noble mothers and daughters  of Israel come to the rescue of the poor, and assist them with encouraging words and with the necessaries of life, without that great parade of vaunted charity which is so common among the people of the world. According to the condition that present society is in, I suppose that the poor are cared for as well as they could be.

This is a fine timbered country, the land rich and rolling. He farms are not generally so large as those in Illinois, and as a result the country is more thickly settled, the schools better attended and in a better condition.

Unless a “Mormon” Elder has traveled through this country, preaching, he could scarcely realize the vast different there is between the people of Illinois and those of Indiana. Here the people are more kind and hospitable, giving the stranger a warm welcome to their habitations, and seem more willing to let others worship God after the dictates of their own conscience. We are now staying with Mr. Oliver Shelby, whose mother died a member of the Church. He remembered to have heard several of the Elders preach. He testifies that he saw a young Elder, by the name of Robinson, who was sick at his father’s house, cured instantaneously by the anointing of oil and laying on of hands by the Elders.

We have appointments on ahead which will take us until the latter part of next week to fill. To-night we speak at the Court House, where we have spoken once before. The two weekly papers published here kindly inserted notices of the same.

We feel that we have done much good in allaying prejudice, and there are some in this locality who will shortly come to a knowledge of the truth. We know that God has endowed us with a portion of his Holy Spirit, so that we have been enabled to bear a faithful testimony to those with whom we have come in contact.

My intention is to spend a portion of this Summer in Canada, among my relations whom I have never seen. Brother Morgan will remain in this State, where he has several uncles. We shall both preach whenever there is an opportunity. After my visiting I shall rejoin Brother M. We then shall travel South, through Kentucky, into Tennessee, where we propose to stay over Winter.

Yours in the Gospel,

Jos. Standing.

Typed copy of this letter is found in the John Hamilton Morgan Collection, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue. April 29 - May 5, 1876.

Today's only church in Johnsonville, Indiana from Wikipedia

(Continued from here.)

“was treated very kindly by all especially by Mr. Johnson’s folks”

This statement from John Morgan's previous journal entry has become a theme for this area and time and the people he is meeting in and around Johnsonville, Indiana. They became his life-long friends. 

Perrysville, Indiana, April 29, 1876 – Stayed over the forenoon at Mr. Johnson’s during the forenoon and came over to Mr. Crouch’s where I had supper and talked with an ex-minister for quite awhile. Spoke to Mr. Wright’s to a large audience. Received a letter from Mellie. All Well.

Perrysville, Indiana, April 30, 1876 – Came over to Mr. Jones’, had dinner; put on clean shirt and walked down to the Grange Hall. Had supper with a Mr. Wright, spoke to a large house and was earnestly asked to come back again, which we promised to do. Had a good meeting.

Covington, Indiana, May 1, 1876 – Walked across the country to Mr. Shelby’s this morning. Got my box of clothing from Normal, rode around with Mr. Shelby some length of time. Cool and unpleasant.

Covington, Indiana, May 2, 1876 – Remained at Mr. Shelby’s during the day. Read. Talked and slept in the evening. Went down to town to hold meeting and found the Hall locked. Quite cool.

Over the River, May 3, 1876 – Went to town this morning and made arrangements for meeting Friday night. Walked over to Jones’ and secured two school houses to speak in; stayed all night at Mr. Jones’. Do not feel as well as I might.

May 4, 1876 – Walked up to Mr. Salt’s where I had dinner, went to see the School Marm about the School house. Had a pleasant talk; obtained her consent and appointed a meeting. Plowed a round for a man. Came on down to Salt’s who crossed me over the river in a canoe. Came on to Shelby’s and spent the balance of the day in talking with Joe and Shelby. Cool. Wrote a letter to Jimmie.

Covington, Indiana, May 5, 1876 – Wrote a letter to the People’s Paper and some letters to others. Went fishing in the afternoon and got very wet.

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue April 24-28, 1876.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels Continued from here and here.

Mt. Zion, Indiana, April 24, 1876 – Crossed over the river this morning and had dinner with Mr. Williams. Assisted Mr. Jones to roll some logs together and then went to Mr. Garrison’s. Spoke at Mt. Zion School House to a very full house and a Mr. Samuel Cole after asking numerous questions challenged me to debate and was accepted. Stayed all night at Mr. Garrison’s.

Bunker Hill, April 25, 1876 – Visited at a Mr. Wrights, this morning and had a talk with an old lady 86 years old. Make an appointment to preach at his house Saturday. Came to Mr. Jones’ and had dinner, then to Mr. Wm. Salt’s. Preached at the School house to a good sized audience who gave close attention. Pleasant weather.

Sumter, April 26, 1876 – Went fishing this A.M. with Mr. Salts. Laid down after dinner and slept an hour or two. Came on up to Frank Salts’ and spent the afternoon. Spoke at the school house in the evening to a small (dead) audience, who gave poor attention. The power of the evil one is at work in this locality. Stayed all night with Mr. Salts. Was treated kindly.

Brush College, April 27, 1876 – Joseph layed out last night in a clearing, alongside of a log heap. Started out to find him this morning and after walking some miles found him at the log heap. Walked some distance into the woods. Had prayer and read the first Chapter in the Voice of Warning. Came up to Mr.  [blank space] ploughed during the afternoon for him. Rained at night.

Johnsonville, Indiana, April 28, 1876 – Remained at Mr. [blank space] during the morning. Came over to Mr. Jas. Johnson’s and spent the day talking and listening to Miss Dora play the piano. Spent the day very pleasantly and nice. A lady school teacher visited in the afternoon. Spoke at night to a moderate sized audience at Brush College and had close attention paid; was treated very kindly by all especially by Mr. Johnson’s folks. Found a copy of the “Woman’s Exponent” here that I read with interest.

(To be continued.)

Deseret News. Joseph Standing wrote a friend in Salt Lake, February 1876.

                                                

Elder Joseph Standing also wrote about his missionary service with Elder John Morgan. This newspaper article is of particular interest. Elder Standing stayed with Garrard and Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan and described attending a Methodist revival meeting with John Morgan's brother, James. John Morgan frequently wrote of receiving letters from his brother James.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing--Missionaries
He Being Dead Yet Speaketh
Waiting for Joseph Standing's Arrival
1876 Missionary Companions
1876 March
1876 April
1876 April 4-8
1876 April 9-13
1876 April 14-18
1876 April 19-23

Deseret News, Salt Lake City,  Utah, 

March 22, 1876

Missionaries in Illinois – Here is how Elder Joseph Standing, a young man of this city, writes from Illinois, Feb. 25^th, to a friend in this city --  “I left St. Louis on the 11^th inst, for Normal, Illinois, where I arrived after seven hours travel. I stopped over night with the parents of Brother John Morgan, who told me he was at a place twelve miles distant, called Money Creek. I joined him next day, finding him in good health and spirits. The same evening we held meetings in a private home.”

“When I have heard the Elders at home tell of their missionary experiences, and the many different stories and misrepresentations that are told of us as a people, I could not realize that they were facts. But since I came to the State of Illinois I can understand things as they are. The past week Brother Morgan and myself held five meetings, four of which were in private houses, the public ones being closed against us, for fear that some unfortunate being might possibly believe in “that horrible doctrine.” We, nevertheless, had very good meetings and bore our testimonies in a manner that the honest in heart could fully understand.  

I had heard tell of the “Mourners  Bench” when at home but never fully understood it til one night at Normal, when in company with     brother Morgan’s brother James, I attended a Methodist revival.  I cannot say I enjoyed the meeting because to me it was something new and strange to see men and women, to the number of thirty or forty, stamping, shouting, and crying at the top of their voices. I have been taught to believe that ‘God’s house is a house of order,’ and any house different than that I do not want. There are great revival meetings being held throughout all this (McClean) county and it needs them, for out of a population of some 50,000 there are 2,700 cases on the dockets for trial.

Some of our whole-souled sectarian friends have expressed a desire for us to leave this vicinity and they think a mob armed with eggs would materially help us on our journey. If the eggs are dished up in the right style I will not object to them.  There is a great deal of prejudice against us and against those whom God has raised up to befriend us,  who have never turned out to listen to our teachings. All kinds of absurd stories are circulated about us by beings who probably had a hand in the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo.

“Brother Morgan has done much good here, and the testimony he has born will not soon be forgotten, and jointly, we will be of great help to each other, and by the aid of the Holy Spirit be the means of doing good to our fellow-men. We are traveling toward the Indiana border, and preaching at every opportunity.” 

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue, April 19-23, 1876.

Wabash River, by Henry Hamilton, 1778. from Wikipedia

(Continued from here.)

Gopher Hill Church, April 19, 1876 - Went to Mr. Dixon’s this morning and secured his consent for the use of the Church. Went to the school house and had a lecture announced. Came back to Mr. Robert Creigh and stopped over night. Spoke at the Church to a moderate sized audience, who many of them went to sleep.

Wabash River, April 20, 1876 – Walked over to the “Log School House,” and secured a stopping place at the Widow Maginnis’. Walked over to Baltimore School House to learn about our appointment for tomorrow night. Spoke to a large audience who paid close attention and listened carefully to what was said. Met a Mr. Edward Lowe who had been to Utah and had a long talk with him. He thinks of returning there this fall. Reading some of the Doctrine & Covenants each day. Are treated well in the neighborhood.

Baltimore, Indiana, April 21, 1876 – Started early to go to Mrs. Gamison’s to get the Razor and Brush, got out of the way and had a long walk. Had dinner a t Mr. Jones’. Came on down to this place where we held meeting tonight. Stayed all night at Mr. Bogess’, an Infidel who treated us kindly. A small audience out to hear us.

Covington, Indiana, April 22, 1876 – Came over to the place this morning and got a letter from Jimmie. Called on the Editors of the paper and read the news. Came out to Mr. Shelby’s. Had dinner and returned to town. Spoke at the Court House to a good sized audience who gave close attention. Stayed all night at Mr. Shelby’s.

Covington Indiana, April 23, 1876 – Raining this morning. Read, talked during the day. Spoke at the Church this afternoon to a small audience owing to the rain storm. Talked till late with Mr. & Mrs. Shelby. Feel we are doing some good in this locality and trust that our words may have their due effect.

The Shelbys of Covington, Indiana 1870 Census.

Older pictures of interest in historic Covington, Indiana picture collection:

Old Court House

Train Depot

Washington Street 1860

View Across the Wabash: Birds Eye view of Covington

Ferry Boat crossing the Wabash

Nebeker Farm

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue, April 14-18, 1876.

(Continued from here.)

April 14, 1876 [continued in Warren County, Indiana]-  Came down to Mr. Robt. Jones and spent the after part of the day. Stormed considerably during the day. Spoke at Zion School House to a large audience who gave close attention. Was kindly treated by all.

Covington, Indiana, April 15, 1876 - Came over to Covington this morning and got my boots fixed. Looked around town awhile and then came to Mr. O. Shelby’s where we stayed all night. Was well treated and felt more at home than we have for some time.

Note: In 1883 John Morgan and his wife Mellie visited this area and Mr. Shelby. In 1885 John Morgan wrote of meeting Mr. Shelby while traveling in the Southern States Mission. “1885, February 5, Arrived in New Orleans at 2:30 p.m. On the train between Mobile and N.O. met Olivery Shelby, of Ind.” 

Covington, Indiana, April 16, 1876 - Wrote letters and read during a portion of the day. Went to meeting and heard a Methodist sermon that was decidedly thin. Visited the Poor House during the afternoon and saw enough to make a man shudder. How much better for the world to organize on a principle that would enable all to help themselves. I feel thankful for the privilege of knowing at least a portion of the Gospel.

Covington, Indiana, April 17, 1876 - Went up to town this A.M. and called on the Sheriff and obtained the Court House to speak in. Called on the Editors of the papers and asked them to insert a notice of the meeting which they did. Walked about town considerable. Wrote a letter to Mellie and went to a log rolling in the afternoon. Still at Mr. Shelby’s Cool and unpleasant.

State Line City April 18, 1876 - Left Mr. Shelby’s this morning and crossed over the River. Got our washing and changed underclothing. Had dinner at Mr. Robt. Jones. Joseph went up the River to make appointments while I started West. Walked all afternoon, secured two school houses and conditionally secured a church to speak in. Weather warm and beautiful. Stayed all night in Samuel Clemns’. As fine a country about here as I have seen anywhere.

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Pictures from Wikipedia.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing Mission Travels continue, April 9 – April 13, 1876.

 

Looking across the Wabash River to Fountain County.

Warren County, Indiana

Courthouse, Warren County, Indiana, 1877.

Continued from here.

State Line, Illinois, April 9, 1876 —Visited Mr. Wm. Cunningham this morning. Spent the forenoon of the day very pleasantly in conversation with him and his family. Had dinner with them and returned to Mr. Johnsons’s and bidding them goodby, came on up to Mr. Mort Lindsay’s where we stopped tonight. Spoke at the Price schoolhouse to a very large audience, on the prophecies, who paid close attention to what we had to say.

Johnsonville, Illinois, April 10, 1876 —Came to this point and secured the Brush College to speak in. Stopped at Mr. Jas. Johnson’s and was kindly treated. Miss Dora played on the piano which I appreciated. Spoke to a good audience.

Warren County, Indiana, April 11, 1876 —Raining this morning hard. Remained at Jas. Johnson’s during the forenoon. Came in town to Mr. Wagner’s and stayed all night. Obtained the School House to hold meeting in. Warm and pleasant this afternoon.

Alvin, Illinois, April 12, 1876 —Went over to the Wabash River in the morning and secured another school house to hold meeting in. Came back to Mr. Frank Salt’s where I stayed over night. Spoke at the School house to a fair audience. Looks stormy.

April 13, 1876 —Came over to Mr. Lyon’s and leaving our valises, we started for Covington, distance some seven miles, had a lontg tiresome walk. Received a letter from Mellie and one from Jimmie. Spoke at the Bunker Hill school house to a good sized audience. Came home with a Mr. Wm. Salts, who treated me kindly. This farm is the one that Brother John Murdock was born on and quite a number of Mormon people went from this locality. We are now in Indiana and have been well treated and kindly received by all. There appears to be a different atmosphere here to what there is in Illinois. Am in hopes that we shall be able to do a good work in the neighborhood.

Covington is a city in and the county seat of Fountain County, Indiana.
Jimmie [James] Morgan (1850- ): John Morgan's brother.

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Pictures from Wikipedia.

"Sunset clear and promise of better weather." April 1, 1876.

Sunset from atop the Salt Lake Conference Center, May 2009. 

John Morgan and Joseph Standing missionary experiences  Continued from here.

On the 31^st of March, 1876, while Elders John Morgan and Joseph Standing were  in Rossville, Illinois,  John Morgan wrote,  “spent a very pleasant morning talking and looking at flower specimens” with Mr. Gates. He then went, to Mr. Bivans “where I made the day of it, reading and talking. During the afternoon, Mr. B. came home and gave me rather a cool reception. Went to the schoolhouse at about 7 to hold meeting, but found it locked and no one there. Went to a house close by owned by a man by the name of Miller and occupied by [illegible] who refused me shelter on account of my religion though it was nearly 8 at night. He drove me away from his house and refused me shelter from the storm. Went back to Mr. John Bivan’s where I stayed over night. Treated me well. Looks like storm.”

Rossville, Illinois, April 1, 1876— “Went to Rossville this morning to get our mail. Got a postal from Jimmie [John Morgan’s brother James]and waited all day for more mail. Called on Mr. Millegan who has a relative living at Kanosh by the name of Crane. Met Joe at the [post] office and failed to get any letters. A man by the name of Thompson followed us around and tried to create difficulty. Came out to George Miller who received us and treated us kindly. Held meeting at the schoolhouse, a large audience who manifested a good spirit and treated us very kindly. Terribly muddy, the road from Rossville was the worst I ever met with, next to impossible to travel. Sunset clear and promise of better weather. Joseph made several appointments to preach next week south of here and held one meeting.”

Alvin, Illinois, April 2, 1876—“Raining and sleeting this morning; started from Mr. George Miller’s about 11:00 A.M. to come to this place, found the creek up so that we could not cross, had to make along detour to a bridge. Mr. Benedict invited us to dinner. At 3:00 P.M. we started again, waded and walked across the fields to the R.R. feet very wet and boots hurting me severely. Filled our appointment to a good sized congregation considering the condition of the roads and the weather. Some ladies attended. Was invited home by Mr. Jno. Gorrity to stay all night. Kindly treated.”

Bismark, Illinois, April 3, 1876—“Remained at a Swiss Gentleman’s for dinner and then started to come to this place to hold meeting tonight. Arrived at about three. Tried to get a stopping place all over town, but failed to do so until quite late. Went without supper and slept in a boarding house. The man refused to give us breakfast the next morning. Spoke to the hardest crowd of men that I have met with yet, there was a terrible stink in the room that was so strong that we had very little freedom of speech. This will doubtless be a lesson to us to avoid R.R. towns after this and not go about them. We feel to thank God for his testimonies to us so far.”

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Curriculum, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing - 1876 Missionary Companions - March.

Pioneer School House 

at This is The Place Pioneer Village, Salt Lake City, Utah

Continued from here:

1876 Springtime Illinois weather was unpredictable. Missionaries John Morgan and Joseph Standing had rain, snow--and more--rain and snow. They continually sought people to teach.  On March 19 at Kirkpatrick, Illinois—John recorded, ”very cold and unpleasant. Freezing and thawing alternately. Walked 23 miles and feel very stiff and sore.“

Elder Morgan named over twenty-two schools and homes where they held meetings during the month; Wilcox School House,  Old log school,  Prairie College School House, Four Corners School House,  Buck Creek School House, Two or three school houses, Hayner School House, Hemi School House, Union School, and a Methodist Church. And he named the countless people he met and talked to.  Mr. Doughtery, Mr. Robert McClure, S. S. Barnes who invited us to stay for dinner, Mrs. Smith who refused us lodging, Mr. Shirley where we now are, Mr. Kirkpatrick and J. E. McDaniels, an Indiana man, are just a few.  

Elder Morgan wrote on March 20^th, “Came on the RR to within four miles of the above place [Hoopston, Illinois]”... The walking on the RR was very wearysome and tired us out very much. Has been storming and snowing terribly and the roads are impassable."

“We are now getting a thickly settled portion of the country that is among the oldest part of the State. We have every reason to feel thankful to God for his care over us and kindness and goodness to us. We trust to be able to open up a good mission in this locality…” 

At Rossville on the 23^rd, “…Tried to obtain a hall to hold meeting in but failed to do so…  Secured the school house to speak in.  Snowing some and muddy.”

March 24, 1876 “Joseph came to me this morning from where [he] stayed and informed me that the Director, Mr. Snyder, had refused the house when he found out that we were Saints. I called to see him and found the Spirit of the Devil rampant. Joseph went North to see the other Director, I went South to secure school houses and got three to speak in. Was well treated. Stayed all night with George Miller.”          

March 24 [25], 1867, Rossville, Illinois. “Came over to Mr. Gates in the morning. Joseph went to town to get our mail. Rained hard all day. Could not hold over meeting on account of the storm. Was sheltered all day at the house of Mr. Jno. Bivens, a Methodist, who treated me kindly and asked me many questions.

March 28, 1876 – Rossville, Illinois. “Woke up this morning and found a terrible storm raging which continued without intermission for the entire day. Walked from Mr. Rop’s to Mr. George Miller’s facing one of the worst storms I ever faced, over the worst roads imaginable. Could not hold meeting owing to the storm. Stayed all night at Mr. Miller’s conversed with the folks until tolerable late in regard to Utah. Cannot think but that God helps us by day and by night…

To be continued.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Have a little too much to do, but trust Brother Standing will be here soon."

Violet - Illinois State Flower from Wikipedia

Continued from here.

Money Creek, Illinois

John Hamilton Morgan Journal entry 

February 15, 1876

Spoke last night at the Wilcox School House to a small audience. Joseph [Standing] bore his testimony and spoke a few moments very well. Stayed all night at Mr. Wilcox’s and was well treated.

February 16, Money Creek, 

Spoke last night at an old log house to a pretty fair audience who paid close attention. Bro. [Joseph] Standing spoke well and we were blessed with a portion of the Holy Spirit. Visited a Mr. Willoughby and had an opportunity of teaching many points of my father to him and others. Cold and freezing weather. Feel well. Held meeting at the old log house tonight, but few in attendance; but enjoyed a good spirit and trust that we did good, but feel that our mission is about ended and I think it best for us to strike out toward Ind. Soon, holding meetings as we travel, going slow and preaching as we go. May God bless us in our effort to proclaim His Gospel.

February 18, Money Creek,

Visited Mr. Johnson’s folks on yesterday and had dinner. Also called on Mr. Lukenbill and had supper. Spoke at Mr. Phillip’s on the Baptism for the dead and had a good congregation who paid close attention to what I said. Enjoyed a portion of the Spirit of God and feel that we are still doing good here.  Weather pleasant and agreeable and a good time to hold meetings. Were invited to dinner at Mrs. Argle’s where we expect to go today

.

February 24, Money Creek,

Left Money Creek on the 21^st to go to Normal and see the folks. Walked to Towanda and went down on the train. Visited Miss Beeston and Dr. Ferguson. Spent three days very pleasantly and agreeably. Returned to Mr. Johnson’s today and from there came over to Mr. Albert Ogden’s where we are tonight. Pleasant weather, Go to the Macinaw tomorrow. 

(To be continued.)

Note: The people John Morgan stayed with and became acquainted with in Illinois and Indiana, are the people he  returned to visit in 1883 when he traveled East from Salt Lake with his wife Mellie. Some of the family names John Morgan mentioned in his journal appear in this newspaper article of the settlers who pioneered this Illinois area. 

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing--Missionary Companions.

Camelback Bridge, Normal, Illinois, Wikipedia

Continued from here.
The journal page (if one exists) that follows entries in the preceding post is missing from my collection. Getting a copy will require a return to the Marriott Library. In the interim I will share some of John Morgan and Joseph Standing’s shared missionary experiences as John Morgan recorded them in his journal.

John Morgan and Joseph Standing were called to serve missions in October 1875. In early 1878 they were again set apart for missions to the South.  [1]  

John Morgan received permission to visit his family in Normal, Illinois prior to reporting to his first call to the Southern States Mission.  He hadn’t seen his parents since following his 1861-1865 Civil War service.

John Morgan began his journal on November 15, 1875 in Normal, Illinois. “…I spent the afternoon in conversation with parties who are anxious to learn the truth and they appear to be honest of heart. I gave them some passages of scripture to read and think about. I was at my father’s home in the evening and listened to an argument between father and another man, and was struck with the uter lifeless character of the argument. Surely I have abundant reason to be thankful to God for the knowledge he has bestowed upon me and for the friends he has raised up to me.”

Five days later, his second journal entry, dated November 20, 1875, Normal, Illinois ─ “Have been very busy during the past few days bearing my testimony to different individuals, talking and conversing upon the scriptures and have enjoyed myself very much indeed. I have felt the good influence of the Spirit of God made manifest to me in numerous ways and on various occasions. I have met with many friends and found that the promises made to me are being fulfilled to the letter for which I feel thankful indeed and especially as to the fact that my faith can be proven by scripture and that those who try to sustain themselves by the wisdom of men fail.”

January 31, 1876, Normal, Illinois ─ "Returned to Normal Saturday night, found all well, and several letters awaiting me with news from my family and also news that Brother Joseph Standing was coming to assist me in the work here, for which I felt truly grateful.  I visited Sister Beeston, found her strong in the faith and increasing in health. Dr. Ferguson called to see me twice today, feels well, and I am satisfied he believes. Wrote several letters and fixed up a scrapbook with considerable information relative to our faith and some statistics. Feel well and thankful to God for His mercies."

February 3, 1876, Normal, Illinois ─ "Have been at Father’s since Saturday. Leave tomorrow for Towanda. Snowing hard. Have gathered together some considerable information in Scrapbook form for use. Visited Dr. Ferguson and Miss Beeston. Feel well in my work, have a little too much to do, but trust Brother Standing will be here soon."

February 9, 1876, Money Creek, Illinois ─ "Spoke last night at Wilcox School House to a small audience, owing to the inclement state of the weather. Rained very hard last night and during the day. Today almost impossible to get around.  Am staying at Mr. Wilcox’s today and tonight, who I find to be a pleasant and good sort of a man, but not a member of any Church. A bitter feeling against me on the part of some of the people while an opposite feeling is coming out on the part of others."

February 14, 1876, Money Creek, Illinois ─ "Spoke at Mr. Maple’s on Thursday night and at Mr. Lukenbill’s on Saturday night to good houses. Met. Bro. Joseph Standing from the 12^th ward on Saturday night and feel so much better and stronger. He will assist me greatly and together with the help of the Spirit of God I trust we shall do good. We are stopping at present at Mr. Johnson’s and will speak tonight at Wilcox’s School House." [2]

Map of McLean County, Illinois, Wikipedia

(To be continued.)
Notes:
[1] The New Georgia Encyclopedia, John Morgan, Joseph Standing.
[2] John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.
Mr. Johnson and many of the people John Morgan meets in these entries, are the Johnsons he returned to visit with his wife, Helen Melvina, in 1883.

John Hamilton Morgan's first convert is sealed to him.

According to The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur M. Richardson, page 361, Jennie Whipple was John Morgan’s first convert, while he was serving in Illinois. This picture of her is [a copy of a copy]from the John Hamilton Morgan collection, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

From The John Morgan journal there I found some entries mentioning her.

Normal, Illinois
1876, January 3
Returned to my father’s home today. The Christian Church at Lexington was refused at the last moment and so I failed in my endeavor to speak there.
Normal, Illinois
1876, January 4Went to Bloomington this morning and visited with Sister Beeston [Beeson]; had a truly pleasant interview with her. It is surely good to meet one of your own people and I thank God for His blessings to her and to myself. [Note: On this day, John Morgan entered in his journal a paragraph about his genealogy. It is posted here on this blog.]

Bloomington, Illinois
1876, January 5Brought Aunt up from Father’s today and called on Sister Beeston; [Beeson] had a pleasant talk and administered to her. …

Normal, Illinois
1876, January 8
Visited Sister Beeston [Beeson] this morning and fixed her windows for her. Had an interesting interview with her and Miss Miller. ...

Money Creek, Illinois
1876, January 14
... [Note: The following is inserted in his typed journal following the entry for this day.] (Eliza Jane Beeson (Whipple) born February 6, 1842 in Fairfield, Columbiana County, Ohio – daughter of Henry Martin Beeson and Ruth Cope, baptized August 25, 1883 by Elder John Morgan, Confirmed by George Reynolds. Desires to be sealed to John Morgan – copied from a note that she left with Lily T. Freeze).

I have learned the following about Sister Beeson or Whipple. From page 361 of The Life and Ministry of John Morgan by Arthur M. Richardson, "Another visitor he was happy to see, came to town on the 20th Jennie Beeso Whipple from Illinois who had been his first convert to the Church while serving as a missionary in that state in 1876. On the 25th he baptized her at 11:30 a.m. at Warm Springs with George Reynolds serving as witness."

[Note: The 1883 John Morgan journal section, that may substantiate this 1883 baptismal date, and the same New Family Search baptismal date, isn’t in the Marriott Library collection. ]

Salt Lake City
1884, October 29Accompanied Jennie Whipple south on the [illegible] C. train. She is going to Nephi. I left the train at Draper and returned on the 10:10 a.m. train. ...

[Note: In August, 1887, John Morgan was in Salt Lake City, visiting Mellie and his family. He was being sought by the Marshals. His journal entries from that visit are posted here in this blog.]

1887, August 4
At home quiet all day. Sister Jennie Whipple came down in the afternoon and remained until dark when I drove her out to the Hot Springs ...
According to New Family Search, Eliza Jane Beason was in the Salt Lake Temple completing her own temple work on August 17, 1899. She was sealed to her parents January 17, 1900.

In 1900 Jennie Whipple was Head, or Superintendent of the County Infirmary at 1979 State Street, in Salt Lake City, according to the Farmers Precinct, Salt Lake County Census. She was born February 1842, was 58 years old, widowed, and both of her parents were born in Ohio.

Jennie B. Whipple was living at 210 Fern Street, in Salt Lake City, when she died on May 30, 1909. The information on her State of Utah death certificate was provided by Bishop T. F. Tingey.

She was buried June 2, 1909 in John Hamilton Morgan’s family plot at the Salt Lake City cemetery. You can see her gravestone’s proximity to John Morgan’s gravestone in the picture at the end of this post.

Eliza Jane Beason [Jennie Beeson Whipple 1842-1909] was sealed to John Hamilton Morgan, December 14, 1927, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Note: I did not know who this "fallen headstone" belonged to [front left], when I first began visiting John Morgan's gravesite--years ago. Another descendant pointed it out to me last Fall. It appears all of John Morgan's wives were living in Salt Lake City in 1927. No--there is a wife who never lived in Salt Lake City!

John Hamilton and Melen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan, Part 10

During their trip John Morgan takes Mellie to visit some of the people who welcomed and sustained him in earlier missionary efforts, February 14 – May 29, 1876. Two names that stand out during this period of time are Oliver Shelby and the Jas. Johnsons. He mentions Jas., and various Johnsons, in thirteen journal entries, Oliver Shelby he writes about fifteen times. The first part of this post goes back eight years to a few of his 1876 entries.

Money Creek, February 14, 1876
Spoke at Mr. Maple’s on Thursday night and at Mr. Lukenbill’s on Saturday night to good houses. Met Bro. Joseph Standing from the 12th ward on Saturday night and feel so much better and stronger. He will assist me greatly and together with the help of the Spirit of God I trust we shall do good. We are stopping at present at Mr. Johnson’s and will speak tonight at Wilcox’s School House.

Mt. Zion, May 11, 1876
Plowed for Mr. Jones today and went up to Bunker Hill to hold meeting in the evening. Had a good house and good spirit prevailing. A Mr. Annamon got up and made a speech after the sermon was over to try to stir up trouble, but utterly failed. Made friends for us.

Covington, May 12, 1876
Plowed during the forenoon, crossed over the River after dinner. Came to Mr. Shelby’s and helped to put down carpet all afternoon for them… May 15. Assisted to plant some melons this morning. Rode with Mr. Shelby out East several miles after cattle. Secured a Church to preach in and made an effort to get another, but failed… May 22-25. Have been plowing and driving the cornplanter for Mr. Shelby four days and enjoyed myself at the job. Weather warm and pleasant.

John Morgan’s journal account of his and Mellie’s 1883 trip to the East resumes:

November 9, 1883
[They spent the preceding night at Champaign, Illinois, at Uncle William Morgan’s.] Visited a sugar factory and gained some information on the subject of its manufacture. Had a walk about the city. At 1:32 p.m. took J. B. and W. train for Covington, Ind. Arrived at 3:40 and hired a buggy and drove out to Oliver Shelbys. Found Elders Butler and Durfic at Shelbys. All well. Spent a pleasant evening.

November 10
Raining this a.m. Drove down to Covington and received a telegram from brother N. G. [Nicholas Groesbeck] stating that the children were well. In the p.m. drove across the river to Geo. Johnsons and stayed all night. Had a talk with him and Norvell J. Enjoyed a pleasant evening.

November 11
In company with Elder Durfic we drove over early to Mr. Cronkhites (?) [Cronklutes, May 19, 1876 journal entry] and visited with them an hour or two after which we drove to Jas. Johnsons and had dinner staying two or three hours. From there we drove to Wm. Newells and visited an hour or two, being kindly received by all and enjoying ourselves very much. From brother Newells we drove to Shelby,s part of the time through a heavy wind. Met Elders S. R. Marks and Jno. E. Boothe who had been out on a short trip to Vudensburg, (?)

November 12
At an early hour we made preparation to continue our journey and were accompanied to the depot by Shelby, Elders Marks and Boothe. Took the 8 a.m. train for Indianapolis where we arrived at 11 a.m. Hired a buggy and drove up to uncle D. W. Hamiltons place of business and was accompanied by him over a portion of the city, returning to his boarding house and had dinner. Weather quite cold with considerable wind.

At 3 p.m. took train for Cincinnati. Met Wm. Cimback (?) at the depot. Arrived in Cincinnati at 6:30 and had an Oyster stew at the Cin. Sou. Depot. Took sleeper for Chattanooga.

(To be continued.)

John Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan, Part 9

John Hamilton Morgan’s parents; Eliza Ann Hamilton Morgan, Garrard Morgan II.

[Editor’s note: The John Morgan Journal account of John and Mellie traveling to the East, beginning October 23, 1883, continues. It appears that in these journal entries H. stands for Hamilton. I returned to John Morgan's 1876 journal entries for the very first time he visited home and family, hoping to better understand the people he mentions and visits. To his January 4, 1876 entry he added his genealogy, clarifying the complexity of the Hamilton and Morgan families. Hum! Is it possible to clarify this complexity? Perhaps there is information in this account that will assist family genealogists.]
                                   
1876
Normal, Illinois, January 4, 1876
… I enter here my genealogy:
My grandfather and father were named Garrard Morgan. My grandmother Morgan’s maiden name was Sarah Sanderson. On my mother’s side my great grandfather was named John Hamilton; his wife, Elizabeth. Great [sic] Grandfather was James Hamilton, his wife, Margaret Hamilton. My mother’s name is Eliza Ann Hamilton. Gerrard Morgan, Jr. had a sister, Mary Morgan who married Marshall Hamilton, himself father of Woodson Hamilton.
...
1883
November 1
Left Cin. [Cincinnati] For Greensburg at 8:17 a.m. arriving at 10:40 a.m. and was met at the depot by cousin Gail Hamilton. Went up to uncle Morgan H. and spent the day. Called on cousin Malinda McCane.

November 2 Got a buggy and drove out past where I was born. Went to uncle Marshall Hamiltons and stayed all night.

November 3
Started early and drove to Charles Hamiltons and stopped an hour or two returning to Woodson H. for dinner. Left there at 3 for Greensburg. Met uncle D. W. Hamilton and a number of old acquaintances. Stopped at uncle Morg. [Morgan] H’s.

November 4At uncle Morgans all day. A number called to see us, including Jas. Hart whose parents were members of the church. Josh. Pool and wife, two of the Peery’s and John Logan and wife. During the day walked out through the town.

November 5
After bidding the folks goodbye, we left Greensburg on the 10:12 a.m. train which was 10 minutes late. Went by way of Indianapolis and Kankarkee [sic.] to Chicago and put up at the Windsor House. Raining terribly all the afternoon.

November 6
Went about the city for an hour or two. Visited the Court house Square, Wabash Avenue, the piers on the Lake and at 11:05 came down on the train to Hinsdale on the C. B. and Q. R. R. to see father and mother whom we met, also cousin Jas. Chambers and wife. The weather has cleared up and quite pleasant.

November 7
Bad weather today again. Went to the city and called on Will. Met a very cool reception. Attended to some business about town and returned to father’s.

November 8Up early this a.m. and took the 6:44 train into Chicago. Lon [Leonidas] assisted us and was very kind. At 8:45 took the Wabash train for Champaign, arriving at uncle William Morgans at 7: p.m. and was met kindly.













Leonidas [Lon] Morgan.

This post at The Ancestor Files is about John Morgan's parents and siblings. Amy would like more information.

Some family members mentioned in this post can be found at LDS FamilySearch.
(To be continued.)

The John Morgan Journal from the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. The pictures of the Morgans; Garrard II, Eliza Ann Hamilton, and Leonidas are from the Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr. photo collection at the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.