John Morgan building tenement row. Dec 10-Dec 17, 1889. Part six. Concluded.

Continued from here.

1889
December 10
In the house most of the day owing to heavy rains. The streets were almost impassable. Have been reading Brancroft’s “Utah” and find it a fair and impartial history. Spoke at 6 and 14 political club meetings.

… December 12
At work about the house building and other matters during the day. Commenced building up the south wall of the Tenement row. More or less showery almost every day during the week so far.

December 13
Still pushing the building ahead and getting along nicely.

December 14
Finished the walls and roof today, closing the house in and secure against storm. Plasterers and carpenters at work.

December 15-17 John Morgan traveled to Provo for a Sunday School Conference. He traveled home to Salt Lake with B. H. Roberts

December 18
Buying Christmas things for Annie and the children. … attended the theatre at night.

December 19
Stormed during the day and no chance to get out. Read Brancroft’s History of Utah, which on the whole is the fairest and most reliable historical work ever published on the Territory and will doubtless do much good in alloying prejudice and carrying information into quarters where no Elder could reach.

December 20
Reading Brancroft’s History. Weather stormy and streets nearly impassable on account of mud. Owing to continued snow and rain storms the roads in every direction are nearly past traveling.

December 21
Talked the sale of some Real Estate with some agents of business about town….

December 23
Attended family prayers at 930 a.m. and Fast Meeting at 10 a.m....

December 24
Looked after matters about home. Brother Roberts called and we canvassed matters pertaining to a Mission East talked of. Made arrangements to sell a piece of property in the 17th Ward today.

December 25
At home, the first Christmas in five years and quietly enjoyed ourselves. The day passed very pleasantly indeed. Warm and spring-like. Rained some.

December 26
Set some men to work fencing the back lot of the tenement row and piling up rock. Attended a reunion of the old folks and widows of the 16th Ward. Songs, speeches and recitations occupied the time.

December 27
Leveling up around the tenement row with gravel and finishing the fence. Attended Council Meeting at 12 M … Received a notice from the First Presidency that brother B. H. Roberts and myself had been called to a Mission in the Eastern States to try to convert public opinion on the Mormon question.

[Note: I haven’t found another journal entry where John Morgan mentions this building project, or his tenement row. I assume he is now finished building it.]

(Concluded.)
John Hamilton Morgan journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.

John Morgan building tenement row. Nov 13-Dec 9, 1889. Part five.

Continued from here.

1889
On November 13 John Morgan returned to Salt Lake City, where he attended council meeting. … President Gates accompanied me home to dinner.

November 14
Busy about the building shining [sic. shinning (1829--Webster’s 9th Collegiate Dictionary)] up the cellar bank of the Chamber of Commerce Building.

November 15
Still busy about the building and other work. An investigation is going on in the Third District Court to prove the disloyalty of the Saints, a number of Apostates have testified with great bitterness against the Church. The Court Attorneys and others are doing all they can to urge them to do so.

Brother Jas. Tillman and family from the Southern States Mission arrived last night. I met them at the Windsor Hotel and assisted them in getting into quarters at the Tithing Emigrants House. The investigation in the Court is still going on and more terrible lies are being sworn to by traitors.

November 16
Sold 80 acres of land in Colorado to C. J. Brain and received the money today. Kept quite busy with the building and other work.

November 17-25 Mellie accompanied John Morgan on his travels to American Fork on Sunday School and Quorum business. He obtained a goat for his son, Nicholas [1884-1971], while in Lehi, and returned to Salt Lake where rain prevented work on his building. Following a council meeting B. H. Roberts remained with him for a night. They were notified of the death of a brother Whittaker and asked to attend his funeral in Centerville. Which they did. They both spoke at the funeral, where the attendance was sparse because of a report that the deceased died of Diphtheria. On the 23rd he wrote, got Nicholas' goat wagon and harness together and hitched up for him.

November 26
Had an interview with President Woodruff and council this morning and presented to them the condition of many quorums filled with men too old to fill missions and suggested that they be ordained High Priests. After some little discussion, a vote was taken and it was carried. Thus opening the way for young men to fill up the quorums. At 4 p.m. left for Nephi where I arrived at 9 p.m.

November 27
Spent the day quietly and pleasantly reading and visiting some company in the evening.

November 28
Took 5:30 a.m. train for home. Arrived at 10 a.m. Busy about the building during the day and had thanksgiving turkey at home. The first time in several years. Hyrum [Groesbeck] and wife [Ann Groesbeck], Mellie [his daughter (1878-1952)] and Andrew [Burt, his son-in-law] were with us.

November 29
Made an effort to get the contractor on the Chamber of Commerce Building build a wall so that we could go ahead with our wall. He made fair promises.

November 30
At work about the building and attending to affairs about home.

December 1-4 Council and other meetings, and work on his building.

December 5
Tried to arrange the sale of some Real Estate and quite busy.

December 6
At work getting in water pipe extension to the new building. The mason at work on Chamber of Commerce wall.

December 7
Storming today and the men could only work part of the day. A heavy rain in the evening.

December 8
Left for Springville in company with brother Goddard and Eliza [presumably his daughter (1875-1952)].

December 9 Back in Salt Lake City. ... The city a sea of mud.

(To be continued.)

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.

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.)

John Hamilton Morgan is sealed to Mary E. Kilgore.

The earliest mention I can find of a Kilgore in John Morgan’s journal was in July of 1877, near Look Out Mountain, Georgia, where on the 18th he wrote … Came to Mr. Kilgore, who appears to be investigating… Thereafter Kilgore is frequently mentioned in journal entries.

1877 Appears to be written while in Cassandra, Georgia

September 30 – At 9 A.M. I baptized: Wm. C. Kilgore, Jas. T. Kilgore and A. H. Mitchell, they were confirmed by Mr. L. [presumably Lisonbee] At 11 Bro. L. preached to a good house full of people who paid close attention. At 3 P.M. I preached to a tolerable fair audience.

1st October – At 12 – M. [presumably John Morgan] baptized Johathan [sic] Road, confirmed by L. [Lisonbee] and Caroline [presumably Wm. C. Kilgore’s wife] Kilgore, confirmed by M. [John Morgan], and immediately after confirmation left for Horton’s Chapel feeling very well on our arrival at Bart Fawcett’s ...

Other early (1877) Southern State's Mission journal entries are posted here and here on this blog.

Nine years later, in 1886, John Morgan’s wife, Mellie, had traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be with him. Emigrants from the country gathered to Chattanooga to travel west with them. A Sister Kilgore is among them. Additional journal entries from that trip were posted here on this blog.

1886
November 17 This has been a very busy day and a very inclement one. Rained in torrents a great part of the time. Telegrams and letters came in from every direction giving information of the arrival of the saints at the various stations who are enroute to Chattanooga to join the company leaving for Zion tomorrow. Sister Kilgore and a number of saints came in from the country …

A little over two years later, in 1889, John Morgan stopped in Logan, Utah, on his return to Salt Lake City, from a conference in Franklin, Idaho. He had, by this time, married two plural wives, Annie in 1884, and Mary Ann in 1888.

1889
January 26 took the 8:30 a.m. U. C. train for the north to attend Conference at Franklin, Idaho. Arrived at 3 p.m. and drove from the depot to President George C. Parkinsons. Slept at brother M. F. Cowleys. Extremely cold.

January 27It was 10 degrees below zero this a.m. At 9 a.m. Conference convened. At 10 a.m. a fair attendance. …

January 29It was 21 degrees below zero this morning. … At 12:40 p.m. took train for Logan. Had dinner at brother Fullmers and from there to brother W. C. Kilgores where I spent the afternoon and evening.

January 30Went to the Temple early and at 8:30 a.m. spoke a while to the people. Spent the entire forenoon in the Temple and before leaving had Mary C. Kilgore (dead) sealed to me [NFS Mary E. Kilgore 1857-1880]. Taking the 2 p.m. train, reached home at 6:30 finding all well.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. NFS New Family Search sealing and baptismal dates are in sync with JHM Journal entries. Picture of Logan, Utah Temple from Wikipedia.

Thanksgiving 2009. B. H. Roberts’ Thanksgiving Psalm, 1918.

I didn’t know of B. H. (Brigham Henry) Roberts’ friendship with my great grandfather, John Hamilton Morgan, when I saved this clipping from the Church News. I just liked it. It first appeared there November 22, 1975. Studying the John Morgan Journal, I’ve discovered what devoted friends they were.

A friendship forged, during their years together in the Southern States Mission, and other Church assignments, B. H. Roberts frequently stayed in John and Helen Melvina (Mellie) Morgan’s home. From my scant knowledge of their friendship, and amateur approach to locating material in John Morgan’s journal, I’ve listed a few random entries here. You can learn more about their association from these history blogs, The Ancestor Files and Amateur Mormon Historian.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah.
January 1, 1889At home during the a.m. Spent the afternoon and evening with daughter Mellie and husband [Andrew Burt] with quite a few friends. Brother B. H. Roberts came in during the evening and spent an hour or two.
January 9, 1889Attended Council Meeting at 1 p.m. Present were A. H. Cannon, B. H. Roberts, and myself. Quite an amount of business was transacted. A motion prevailed to not make any appointments at 10 a.m. for meeting on account of interfering with Sunday Schools. B. H. and brother Spry spent the evening with us.
July 10, 1889At work about the place during the morning. Attended Council Meeting … 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. Roberts who was looking and feeling well. [If you scroll down on this link, B. H. Roberts is in picture P-08.]

December 28, 1889Snowed this a.m. and continued during a great part of the day. Brother Roberts and I called at the Gardo House and had a lengthy conversation with President George Q. Cannon relative to our trip East. A number of the details were arranged and an appointment made with the First President on Monday. During the p.m. we visited the “News” Office. Historians Office, Z.C.M.I. [Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution] and other points in the interest of our trip. Brother Roberts spent the evening with us.

From this blog,
B. H. Roberts spoke at daughter Myrtle’s passing in Manassa, Colorado.

B. H. Roberts assisted in daughter Bessie's blessing in Salt lake City, Utah.

The index page from The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, by his son Nicholas G. Morgan, below, references B. H. Roberts.

The address B. H. Roberts delivered at Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan’s funeral in 1930 will be posted next week.

John Hamilton Morgan Journal; Trips to the Temple.

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.