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 Hamilton Morgan visits Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana, cousins. 1882.

Greensburg, Decatur, Indiana from Wikipedia.

These biographies of Capt. James and Elizabeth S. McCoy Morgan’s three oldest daughters, helped identify several “cousins” John Hamilton Morgan wrote in his journal of visiting.

Amazet H. Morgan

b. April 23, 1822, Nicholas Co., Ky.

p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy

m. April 22, 1842, Rice R., son of Willard Cobb

d. June 6, 1881, Decatur Co., Ind.

Rice R. [Reuben Rice from NFS] Cobb

b. Jan. 2, 1811, in Vermont

p. Came to Indiana with his father [Willard NFS] when nine years of age

d. June 5, 1897, Indianapolis, Ind., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. [Cassandra] Robbins.

"He was a farmer, merchant, and stock dealer, and very successful. He and wife spent many winters in Tallahassee, Fla. For some twenty years made large shipments of mules to the South. Traveled extensively in the United States. Held no public office, except president of Decatur Co. Agricultural Society. Was a prominent citizen in his county.

"Mrs. Cobb was much attached to her kindred, very proud of her lineage, and was the family genealogist. The spot just east of Greensburg, Ind., now occupied by the Odd Fellows’ Home, is the site of their once model farm home. Four children came to this home, all born in Decatur Co., Ind.

Sarah Jane Morgan

b. March 28, 1824, near Greensburg,Ind.

p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy

m. first, Oct. 5, 1837, to Elkanah Lathrop, who died Jan. 20, 1851, Greensburg, Ind. She was married, second, Feb., 1861, to James Chambers, her deceased sister's husband,

d. June 11, 1887, and buried at South Park Cemetery, Greensburg

James Chambers

b. Nov. 23, 1822, Kentucky,

d. April 29, 1899, Shelby Co., Ky.

"Sarah Jane had four children by Lathrop, and at the time of her marriage with Chambers he had five children. She was the same kind, loving mother to his children that she was to her own … "

Mary E. Morgan

b. Nov. 7, 1825, Decatur Co., Ind.

p. Capt. James Morgan, Elizabeth S. McCoy

m. Feb. 20, 1844, James Chambers

d. May 29, 1859, Greensburg, Ind.

James Chambers

b. Nov. 23, 1822

d. April 29, 1899, Shelby Co., Ky.

"Mrs. Chambers was never rugged in health. Mr. Chambers was a man of good ability and good education. A farmer most of his life. He also engaged in merchandising, lumber, and milling business for years. He resided in Decatur and Bartholomew Counties, Ind., and lastly Shelby Co., Ky., and died in the latter. He taught school in his younger days, and preached the gospel as opportunity offered, but was never ordained to the gospel ministry. Upon the death of his wife he married Sarah Jane [Morgan] Lathrop, sister to his first wife. No children by second marriage. He married the third wife, who survived him. Mary E. had five children, all born in Decatur Co., Ind."

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

It appears President Morgan had an opportunity to visit family and friends.

1882
October 23 All of the remaining Elders left this a.m. and during the day brother Snow and myself attended to getting our correspondence into shape. At 7:30 left for Cincinnati.

October 24
Arrived at 3:39. Met Len. Wiles and cousin R. R. Cobb. Went home with the latter and stayed all night. Met a number of old acquaintances and relatives.

October 25 Cousin Cobb lent me buggy and horse and I drove out to cousin Jim Chambers and spent the day quite pleasantly visiting and talking with the folks. Assisted him with some logs and walked about over the farm some. Very pleasant weather for visiting.

October 26 Drove back to town and from there to Marshall Hamiltons. Went out the Michigan Road and at the Toll Gate met Perry Treman, and had quite a talk with him. At the Clemens Schoolhouse called and paid Eliza Treman a visit and had a look at the old house. From there drove by the old Homestead and to Clay Elders, and visited for an hour or so. Then to cousin Sarah Rankines, then to Wood Hamiltons and from there to uncle Marshalls where I spent the evening quite pleasantly.

October 27 tarted 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.

October 28
Left Indianapolis at 8:50 a.m. on Wabash train for Peni,? Where I changed cars and at Attica changed again and arrived at Oliver Shelbys. At 6 p.m. met and was warmly welcomed by all the folks.

October 29
Drove up to Dave Fergusons at 9 a.m. and had a short visit. Returned and had dinner at Shelby. Attended meeting in the p.m. and met brother and sister Graham in the evening.

October 30 Bid the folks goodbye and at 8:30 a.m. took train for Attica. Changed cars and went to St. Louis arriving at 8 p.m. When to the St. James where after writing a few letters, retired to bed.

October 31

At 8:30 left over the O. an M. for Cincinnati. Had an unpleasant ride and arrived at 7:30 p.m. and took train for Chattanooga.

November 1 Arrived at 8:30 and met Elder Snow. Spent the day in looking over matters connected with the emigration and mission and wrote a number of letters.

From Nicholas G. Morgan, list of Southern States Missionaries: Alphonso Snow, set apart April 7, 1881, returned April 7, 1883.

Oliver Shelby is a friend from John Morgan's first mission to this area and mentioned here.

William McCoy and His Descendants, compiled and published by Lycurgus McCoy, 1904.

Henry Bruce Morgan of Peoria, Illinois.

Peoria, Illinois from Wikipedia.

Names and places mentioned in John Hamilton Morgan’s journal, so foreign to me a year ago, are becoming more familiar. Some even friends.

Upon the first two or three readings, I wondered, will I ever learn who these people are? One sentence from his March 15, 1882 entry seemed impossible.

Cousin H. B. Morgan, Peoria, called on me.

Yesterday, as I again read there, I realized I now know who H. B. Morgan is. He must surely be Henry Bruce Morgan of Peoria, Illinois. Listed as the fourth child of William F. and Anna Thielkeld Bruce Morgan posted in an earlier post here and seen below.
H. B. Morgan married into the family of Nelson L. and Mary A. Monroe Woodruff, of Peoria, Illinois. In 1855 Mr. Woodruff went into the ice business and continued until his death on October 24, 1879.

The Woodruffs had "six children, two sons and four daughters. Harriet, now Mrs. Emmerson, of Peoria, Lois, now Mrs. Luthy, Jennie, now Mrs. H. B. Morgan, Chauncy, Ida, and Edward, living with their mother at 1025 N. Jefferson street." The ice business is still carried on under the firm name of N. L. Woodruff & Co., under the management of Mr. H. B. Morgan.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah., Biographical Record of Champaign County., S.V. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1900. Champaign Historical Archives, Champaign County Library, Urbana, Ill. copied August 4, 1978, FHL #1,026,785. From The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, pg 704. http://www.peoriacountyillinois.info/bios/bios_w.html#woodruffedward

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan, Part 12.

This is the inside of a shadow box I put together to display this baby slip and robe made by Great Grandmother Helen Melvina (Mellie) Groesbeck Morgan for one of her granddaughters. Description of the picture inserted with the dress is found on an earlier post here.

John and Mellie lost baby John (pictured on Mellie’s lap above) to illness December 4, 1881. Daughter Flora was born September 1882. At the time of this account their family consisted of daughters Mellie (12), Eliza (7), Ruth (4), and 3 month old baby Flora.

I enjoyed this glimpse into John Morgan's family life in Salt Lake City the Christmas and New Year season of 1882-83. On December 21st John Morgan said, gone shopping with my wife and bought coats for the children. He reminisced that, sixteen years ago today I landed in this city.

On Christmas day he wrote, With my family waded through the snow to the depot and took the train for Springville arriving at 10:30 a.m. and met the friends and relatives at Harmon Groesbecks and had our Christmas dinner at his house.

December 26Spent the time from 27 to Jan 2, 1883 in a visit to Springville among relatives, enjoying ourselves very much. Attended Theatre twice and one party. Also preached twice. Returned home on the evening of the 2nd.
1883
January 3Attended to some business about town. Met Mattie [Mathias] Cowley and walked up to brother Gs [Groesbeck] at night with Mellie.

John Morgan’s Church assignments permitted him to be close to home and family the first month of the New Year, 1883. January 5, Assisted my wife about the work for an hour or two. … January 7, Attended meeting this a.m. In the p.m. Mellie had the toothache so that I could not go... January 9, assisted Mellie with the children to her mothers. Had supper at brother Groesbecks. January 10 … Bought clothes wringer for wife. … January 15, Assisted my wife about the washing …
January 18, One of the coldest days of the season. Addressed the Y.M.I.A. at the 14th Ward and then attended the Masonic Ball at the Opera House.January 19, The coldest day in my recollection. Went to the Social Hall to a party. Took wife and Josephine [Groesbeck Smith, Mellie’s sister].

January 20If anything, colder today than yesterday. Went up to town a time or two, but too cold to be out. …
January 22, About town today. Called at Instructor Office and arranged for three Vol. of the Instructor. [Perhaps like the one posted here.]

January 23Called at the Pres. Office and in the evening went with Mellie to have her teeth pulled…
January 24 … Sister Groesbeck presented me with a fine gold watch…
January 26
Called on Joseph Parry and arranged for cards to be printed for the Elders.

… January 31, Early this a.m. called on Pres. Taylor and had a long talk relative to my labors and what he desired. He gave me much good counsil [sic] and advised me to continue my labors in the missionary field to a limited extend and to also look after my private affairs at home as opportunity may present. Wrote some letters.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal and collection at the Marriott Library, Special Collections, University of Utah.