John Hamilton Morgan Journal; 1887, July 25-31

[From John Hamilton Morgan’s journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah.]

On April 7, 1887, from Manassa, Colorado, John Hamilton Morgan wrote in his journal, ... Todays “News” gives an account of a raid made on my house in Salt Lake by Deputy Marshalls on the morning of the 2nd instant.

On July 11, 1887 John Morgan arrived in Salt Lake City from Manassa, Colorado after an absence of many months. His journal entry that day ... [ended with] and found family all well except wife who has been unwell and quite miserable for several months.

1887
July 12
About home all day, reading and resting enjoying myself intensely.

Mellie [daughter, Helen Melvina (17)] not well today, and her mother only feeling a little better. Went to William Burbidges [perhaps William Burbidge of the 17th Ward] tonight.

1887
July 25 Today was quite generally observed as Pioneer Day, stores closed etc. Owing to the precarious condition of President Taylor’s health no organized observance here was attempted. The people went to the lake and other pleasure resorts.

July 26
Rumor was this p.m. officially confirmed of the death of President Taylor, who passed away last evening at 8:15. The evening News contains an official notice from President George Q. Cannon and Jos. F. Smith of his demise. He died in some secluded spot, near the city away from the most of his family and hunted to the last by vicious and wicked enemies of the law.

July 27
At home today. Arrangements are quietly being made for the funeral of President Taylor at noon on Friday. The people feel their loss heavily, but are quiet and collected. A good feeling seems to prevail, and all true Latter-day Saints feel, that all is well in Zion. Stayed at brother Burbidges tonight.

July 28
Received quite a number of letters this a.m. and wrote some in reply. Returned home in the evening and found Uncle G. M. Hamilton [perhaps Morgan Hamilton] at our house. He having called while enroute to Portland Oregon. During the evening, brothers George C. Parkinson and M. F. Cowley came in and spent the evening.

July 29
The city was crowded during the day with people attending the funeral of President Taylor. 25,000 are supposed to have viewed the remains. The day passed off quiet and peaceable. In company with uncle Morgan, called on Ann Groesbeck [probably Hyrum Groesbeck's wife] during the evening. H. H. G. [probably Nicholas Harmon Groesbeck] and Rhoda [Groesbeck], and sister Crandall [unknown] had dinner with us.

July 30
At home until late in the day when Mellie and I went riding south of the city. Uncle and daughter Mellie went to the Lake.

July 31
Mellie and Uncle went out to the Hot Springs this a.m. Hyrumn G. [Groesbeck] came up and I accompanied him to Mountain Dell Ward where we attended meeting which was addressed by Hyrumn [Groesbeck], brother D. C. Young and myself.

Returning in the evening, drove to Hyrumns [Groesbeck] and was soon after joined by uncle and Mellie. Later in the evening, Uncle and I drove out, after I returned home, went back to Hyrumns, he having been taken sick to administer to him. Met Willard Burton who walked up to the house with me.


Famous Warm Springs, 19th Ward


Mountain Dell Ward


Carlos D. C. Young


Calder Park Lake, or the Great Salt Lake


The Historical Record, Salt Lake Stake of Zion, Willard C. Burton, edited by Andrew Jenson, p. 273.



Picture of President John Taylor from Temples of the Most High, N. B. Lundwall, Compiler and Publisher, 1941, p. 91.

Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck Part 6

Conclusion of The Passing of Elizabeth and Nicholas Groesbeck by John Hamilton Morgan

In “Latter Day Saints Millennial Star,” published in Liverpool, England, under date of Monday, January 21, 1884, appeared the following concerning her passing:

A Good Woman Gone
Our readers will, we feel sure, sympathize with Sister Josephine Groesbeck Smith, of this office, in the sad bereavement she is called to suffer in the death of her mother, Sister Elizabeth T. Groesbeck, wife of Elder Nicholas Groesbeck, who died at her home in Salt Lake City on the 28th last.

Sister Groesbeck was one of the noble women of Zion. Her chief pleasure in life was to do good to others; to comfort the distressed and to relieve those who were in want. Her’s was an unostentatious generosity. She did not give “alms before men to be seen of them” or to get praise; she did not invite the rich to her feasts, that she might be invited by them in return, but she sought out “the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind,” and relieved and feasted them without any parade of her charity. In fact, she was one who was of the kind who: “Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.”

She was born in Pennsylvania, August 16, 1820; embraced the Gospel at an early day; has ever been a zealous and staunch defender of the faith; has lived a consistent life, and now that she has gone, she will be missed and her memory will be blessed by hundreds of people who have shared her bounty, as well as by a host of relatives who loved her devotedly.

The death of his wife was a great blow to Nicholas Groesbeck. He had always been a strong, dynamic personality, but the loss of his helpmate seemed to change his entire attitude, health, and personality. From the day of her passing, he seemed to have lost interest in life and his many and varied interests and responsibilities.

Six months and four days after the passing of his wife, at 3 o’clock p.m. on June 29, 1884, he was taken seriously ill while visiting at his son, John Groesbeck’s home at 133 North West Temple. John Groesbeck was at that time, Sheriff of Salt Lake County.

In the daily Journal of John Morgan, his son-in-law, is found the following account of the last illness and passing of Nicholas Groesbeck:

June 25th. I Walked up with Mellie to see Brother Groesbeck today. We found him quite low and with little prospect for recovery. In company with Will, I sat up all night with him.

June 26th. I slept part of the time today and then attended to a little business and then at the request of Brother Groesbeck, I sat up with Harmon again all night with him.

June 27th. Endeavored to catch up with some sleep. Brother Groesbeck appears to be growing gradually feebler.

June 28th. Attended to some business about town and then, with Hyrum, sat up during the night with Brother Groesbeck. He appeared worse last night than at any other time.

June 29th. I slept during the forenoon and then Mellie drove me in the carriage up to John’s home where Brother Groesbeck was reported to be dying. We found him unconscious, in which condition he remained until 7:35 p.m. when he peacefully passed away. I then went to the Sextons and made arrangements for him to care for the body.

June 30th. I went up early this morning and had a talk with Harmon and John about the funeral. At their request, I called at the “News” Office and gave the Reporter some facts about Brother Groesbeck’s life. I then called on President George Q. Cannon and asked him to attend the funeral as a speaker; also arranged for the choir, etc.

July 1, 1884. We were busy during the morning and until 3 p.m. getting ready for the funeral. We all met at John’s home and then followed Brother Groesbeck’s remains to the 17th Ward School House where a large congregation had assembled. Bishop John Tingey presided and prayer was offered by Bishop F. Kesler. Counselor John W. Young and President George Q. Cannon addressed the people. President Angus M. Cannon dismissed the assembly. A lengthy procession was formed and followed the remains to the Cemetery where his body was laid away alongside of sister Groesbeck.

And thus closed the earthly career of a good and great man—Nicholas Groesbeck.

Picture of the grave markers for Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck at the Salt Lake City cemetery [J_21_10_2E], taken 2008.

Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck Part 5

The Passing of Elizabeth and Nicholas Groesbeck


by John Hamilton Morgan


[This is the cover page of a six page document containing brief biographies and accounts of the passing of Nicholas and Elizabeth Groesbeck. Grand daughter Marjorie Morgan Gray submitted it to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers History Department on April 6, 1978. Purported to have been written by John Hamilton Morgan, their son-in-law, a copy of the same document, without a title, date or credits, is in the Helen Rex Frazier collection. Information similar to what is in the first two pages was previously posted. The balance of the document will follow in my next post. Spelling and punctuation of the original typed copy is retained here.]

Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck died at 10:50 a.m. on Friday, December 28, 1883, in her bedroom in the old home at 82 West First North Street. Her last illness and the manner in which she met death evidenced her supreme faith in God and His great Plan of Salvation. Since the early part of December of 1883, she had been feeling quite unwell and about the 13th or 14th of that month she remained in bed. From then on she grew weaker and seemed to realize that her mortal life was nearing its end. Every day her children were at her bedside and every day she was visited by friends and loved ones, including her son-in-law, John Morgan, who frequently administered to her with the aid of others. Helen M. Morgan, her only daughter then at home, was with her day and night during her illness. Her daughter Josephine was with her husband, President John Henry Smith, who, at that time, was presiding over the European Mission in Liverpool, England.

Christmas came and went and on the morning of December 27, 1883, her physician, Dr. Pike, gave up all hope of saving her. In the afternoon of that day she had all her children come to her bedside and she counseled with them, individually, giving good advice and encouragement and she seemed perfectly reconciled to die. To her son-in-law, John Morgan, she made him promise to remind her daughter, Mellie, and her oldest son, Harmon, to keep their promise in doing the work in the Temple for her father, John Thompson and her mother and relatives. She also asked him to select some nice hymns to be sung at her funeral and especially asked that he be good to Mellie, her daughter, whom she loved dearly. She then asked everyone to leave the room but Mellie to whom she talked for some time.

When Mellie came out of the sick room, she told her father, Nicholas Groesbeck, that her mother desired next to talk with him. Her husband, thereupon, went to her and they had a rather long talk and arrived at a complete reconciliation of some little trouble they had had previously. Each forgave the other and kissed each other goodby.

Later in the afternoon she rallied some by almost superhuman effort and appeared to be some better, but during the night she grew weaker until in the morning she went into an unconscious state and so remained until 10:50 a.m. when she quietly passed away as peacefully as a tired child who was just going to sleep.

Thus died Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck, one of my best friends and one of God’s noblest women,” wrote John Morgan in his journal entry for that day.

In company with Hyrum Groesbeck, John Morgan, then called on Bishop John Tingey of the 17th Ward and arranged for the funeral. Later he called on President George Q. Cannon and Daniel H. Wells, and, in compliance with the wishes of the family, asked them to be the speakers at the funeral. He then called on Brother Lewis, the choir leader and arranged with him to have the choir in attendance.

Having attended to these matters, he then wrote an obituary and had it inserted in the “Deseret News.”

The funeral was held in the 17th Ward Assembly Hall at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 30, 1883. It had snowed the night before and the atmosphere was frosty and cold.

A large group of friends and relatives gathered at the Groesbeck home prior to the funeral. John Morgan assisted in getting the pall bearers assigned and aided them in getting the corpse down stairs from the bedroom to the parlor. The casket was then placed in the hearse and was taken to the 17th Ward meeting House while the friends and relatives walked. A large gathering was present. Presidents George Q. Cannon and Daniel H. Wells were the speakers. Both spoke with great feeling and effectiveness, but President Cannon, after reading parts of the 76th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, delivered a powerful sermon on the hereafter. The services having concluded, a large cortege proceeded south on West Temple to South Temple and then east to the Cemetery where the remains of this noble woman were laid to rest in the Groesbeck family burial lot.

Thus closed the life drama of a very wonderful and beautiful woman.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan, Part 6

A closer look at John and Helen Melvina Morgan’s home reveals interesting details; lace curtains, scalloped tasseled blinds, a nice double front door, and ornamental trim on the porch. There is a hint of the same ornamental trim on the front porch of the neighbor to the North. And there is the question of when was it taken? Which children are with them? Is the child next to Helen Melvina pasted onto the picture?

The First West of Salt Lake City in the 1880s is the Second West of today. In the 1970s The Salt Palace building eliminated First South between West Temple and 2nd West. When the Morgan College was at 144 West First South, the 14th Ward House was across the street at 151 West First South. The move to the Morgan’s new home at 163 South 1st West [now 2nd West] was only ½ block west and ½ block south of their college and the 14th Ward House.

Presently South Temple to 2nd South on 2nd West is very unappealing. Concrete, blacktop, Salt Palace loading docs, and an underpass line the street. There is, however, one refreshing spot. It is the restored 1877 home at 126 South 2nd West, across the street from where the John Morgan home was at 163 South. It is much in the style of their home. It was built by Lewis S. Hills and is on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Salt Lake City, Utah. It houses Honest Jon’s Hills House Antiques Gallery.

[John Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, continued from April 5, 1879 return home.]

1879, April 6
At home all day. Not well, but resting up a little. Quite a fever part of the time.

April 7
Went out to Conference this p.m. and enjoyed the privilege very much, it being the first time since 1875. Rain and snow tonight, needed badly.

April 8
At conference forenoon and afternoon today. Brother Murphy came home to dinner with me.

April 9
Attended the meeting of the Board of Trade [paragraph 10] this a.m., and of the Pres. Of Stakes this p.m.

April 10
At home part of the day and feeling well. Wrote some to Brother Standing.

April 11
Went to Brother G. [probably Nicholas Groesbeck] today and spent the day, returning late in the evening.

April 12
Very windy today and quite unpleasant. At home all day.

April 13
Pleasant day. Quite a crowd of friends and relatives in to see me today. Spent the day pleasantly.

April 14
Started Mellie [daughter Helen Melvina, born 19 Jan 1870] to school to Mrs. [Mildred Eliza Johnson] Randalls today, bought slate, etc. for her. Visited Mrs. Johnson, Andrew’s mother and found her feeling well and getting along well. Rained hard this p.m. and turning cold. Visited Savages [photography shop] with Mellie [wife Helen Melvina] to get some pictures framed.

[I didn’t know Mrs. Randall’s first name until I found her in Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Vol III, M to R, International Society of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1998, pg. 2486-87. Mildred Eliza Johnson Randall is one of eight Randall biographies in the book. She appears to me to be the Mrs. Randall John and Mellie Morgan selected to teach their nine-year-old daughter, Mellie. She could also be the Sister Randal[l] Nicholas Groesbeck mentions in his 13 Feb 1867 letter, Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck, Part 4. ]

“… Mildred Eliza [Johnson Randall] was born in 1827, in Virginia. Hers was a home of culture and refinement in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her father taught school, and she was scholastically inclined. She desired to follow the teaching profession and attended the Augusta Female Seminary in Stanton, Virginia. She also enjoyed doing fine needlework. She often traded her chores to her sisters so she could sew or pursue her studies.

“When she was seventeen years of age, her father died. She requested two books he had written on English and math, and her share of the inheritance in money to enable her to pay for additional schooling.

“After teaching in Virginia some years, she went to visit her brother, Cicero, in Council Bluffs. While there, she was converted and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 22, 1859. She left shortly thereafter for the Rocky Mountains with Captain James Brown’s Wagon Company. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on August 29, 1859.

“Mildred went to Bountiful and lived with the Randall family. On May 29, 1860 she became Mrs. Alfred Randall, in the Endowment House. She returned to Salt Lake City and began teaching in the 17th Ward. To this marriage was born two sons, but both died soon after their births. She resumed her teaching.

“In 1865, she and her husband were called on a mission to the Church Plantation in Laie, Hawaii. … While there Mildred conducted two schools, one for foreign children and one for native children. Upon her return to Salt Lake, she took charge of Brigham Young’s private school on his Eagle Gate property. She taught all classes from ABC’s through reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, history and botany. She was well liked by her pupils. …”

(To be continued.)

Picture of John Morgan Home used with permission of The Utah State Historical Society, all rights reserved. I took the pictures of the home at 126 South 2nd West this month.

Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck Part 4

[Conclusion of letter to Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck from Nicholas Groesbeck, 75 Bridge St. Derby, Feb. 13th, 1867, My very dear wife:]

Mother, if these long letters are like long sermons, very tedious, I wish you to inform me; but if you feel as I do, they will never be too long. If you get tired, you can rest over night and commence the next day and finish up. Now maybe you would not have thought of that plan, I give it freely and gratiously. As Sis says, I am getting very near run out of a subject; I shall be obliged to fly from one thing to another to fill up this sheet.

How does Peter Rockwell get along? How did he seem to feel about the death of his wife? Does he drink? If you see him please to remember me to him and remember me to all of my renters, or your renters, for it is all one, William Showell, Smith McGarth and wife and all others. Please in your next to state what rooms are empty, if any; it does very well to fill up with, and it interests me some at the same time. Please state whether blacksmith shop rented or not; when you wrote last you did say who rented it and was not certain how long they would keep it.

I shall have to give up writing soon, for it is taxing my brain to much.

Well mother, I have had a good chat with you today. I have had your spirit nigh me all the time, and truly I have felt comfortable and happy by its influence. It’s almost seemed there was a telegraph communication kept up with the positive and negative poles. I am under the treatment of electricity; that may account for those strange ideas.

I received a letter from Harriet F. Taylor on Weber. I would like to know whether that is Mother Taylor that worked for us. I never knew her given name. She wanted me to see Brother and Sister Cook out in the country about four miles from here. I shall go out there tomorrow and stay with them all night. I have passed their place several times. Brother Twelves, Ann’s husband, is from that country or place. I stayed at Abram Reeves’ all night; they asked me if I knew Brother Twelves. I told them I did, and shall have to go ore for tonight, as the English say in this country.

It is after 11 o’clock, love, good-night, or good-afternoon I should say, for it is only half past three in the Valley. Here is seven and a half hours difference, that is, morning comes here that much sooner. God bless you, I close for tonight.

Mother, I wish you good-morning. Today is the 14th of February. Just six months ago this morning I bid you all adieu. It would be just half-past two in the morning. Six months ago at this present time I was lying, or sleeping on my own bed, you lying by my side, watching over me whilst I was slumbering to get a little rest, to warn me of the hour of my departure, to bid you all adieu, to leave my home, to leave my bosom friend, to leave my children, to leave my all, to go to foreign lands, to travel amongst strangers in a strange land, taking no thought for the morrow, or where w shall sup, or where we shall rest our weary heads. But the Lord has called His servants to go forth to labor in His vineyarad, to prime it for the last time. What great responsibility rests upon the Elders of Israel; their stewardship, their faithfulness, the magnifying of their high and holy calling. Whereunto they are called, to be Messengers of Salvation unto the children of men. Do we realize or appreciate our standing and relationship in the Kingdom of God, as we should? I fear not, many of us, but we are called to be tried and proven, and if found faithful to be chosen heir to the glories of the Eternal World. All such should keep themselves pure and unspotted, or they will fall from the position they hold, and lose the exaltation that awaits the righteous.

I feel this morning that my brain is somewhat rested, and feel to draw you near unto me by the power of animal magnetism, and talk to you. You used to complain, when I was at home, that I did not talk, or converse, with you as much as I should. I know it [a portion of this line is filled with dashes - - -], the spirit was willing, but the body was weak. My strength was over-taxed and caused me to feel sometimes that life was almost a burden. But the scene has changed; this is a new era of my life, a new scene of action where the mental powers are called in to action, instead of so much of the physical.

Mother, you will remember me kindly to all my enquiring friends; I will name a few, Brother Martmore, Brother Attwood, Sister Randal and Brother Randal, Sister Both, Sister Winell, Sister Hook, Brother Brown, also Benjamin Brown and his wife, Sister Harsler, Sister Stringham and Brother Stringham, George and Mary and many more that I have not room to mention.

(This ends the letter.)

I took the picture of the plate that belonged to Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck, inherited by Helen Rex Frazier. There is another plate from the same set, without cracks, at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum (in the china room), Salt Lake City. It was donated by Arzella Smith. The letter is from the Helen Rex frazier collection.

Nicholas and Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck Part 3

Nicholas Groesbeck left Salt Lake City, Utah for a mission to England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 14 Aug 1866. He returned home in May of 1867.

[The following is the first part of a photocopy of a typed letter written to Elizabeth Thompson Groesbeck from her husband Nicholas Groesbeck.]

75 Bridge St. Derby
Feb. 13th, 1867

My very dear wife:

It does almost seem that when I get to writing to you, that I hardly know when to quit. When I commenced this letter, I thought I should not fill up more than one sheet, but as usual I am converting it in a long letter. I hope, however, you will have patience to read it. I could have written yesterday, a short letter, and had it gone out by today’s ship, but I did not feel satisfied in my own mind to do so, so I have plenty of time to converse with you on this sheet.

Mother, I had a beautiful dream about you last evening, also, night before last. I thought, in my dream, that I embraced you in my arms, as I always do, and I kissed you again and again; and did really have a feast all by myself, and thought, of course, that it was all real, till I awoke. But I did enjoy myself while it lasted. I also dreamed that I came home this coming Spring. I thought I did not feel very well satisfied with myself, on account of coming home so soon. I thought it was a long travel for so short a stay, but I thought it was in consequence of my health that I returned so soon. I saw you and all the children. I have had some dreams about William that I have not really liked. I hope and pray William is a good boy. I thought he had been drinking and spending considerable means; but he promised me he would do so no more. If such is not the case, or true, I wish you would speak about it in your next, and let me know.

I hope you all enjoy yourselves. You have a comfortable and a happy home, which I feel thankful for, and a plenty to make you happy, as far as this world’s goods are concerned, but that does not always add to happiness.

I hope John and William are tending to their school steady and punctual, for now is the time for them to learn. They should study grammer by all means. They can never learn to talk proper without a knowledge of that branch of study. You have Bro. Ott to urge the necessity upon their minds. I feel the want of a knowledge of that branch of study at this present time. Give my respects to Bro. Ott and wife and Sister Cook.

A letter from home, oh what measure of gladness
Do these simple words and their meaning contain
Tho the heart is oppressed and bowed down in its sadness
Those words can awake it to pleasure again.

When parted by call from the hearts that still love us
A missionary from Zion, amid strangers we roam
When the earth frowns beneath and the heavens gloom above us
How dear to the heart is a letter from the loved one from home.

Perhaps we can trace the kind hand of a dear wife
Amid tears gushing out as we think of her love
That love, which no time or distance can smother
Shed forth from a heart which no absence can move

And, oh, if in reading that prayer we discover
A small wrinkled spot with the stain of a tear
The fountain of love from its banks will flow over
And bathe it with drops which are scarce less sincere.

A letter from home, when the seas we are parted
A voice speaking out of the midst of the gloom
‘Tis a token of love from the firm and true hearted
To tell us we are not forgotten at home.

God bless them all, yes, bless them in my mountain home.

Mother you will excuse me for writing as I do. If anyone should see this they would think that I was a young lover; but that would not be true, for I am quite an old lover. I have not language to express and set forth my very good, warm and affectionate feelings that I have constantly in store for you; tongue and pen would fail to describe, or set forth in its true light, the fountain from which it flows is inexhaustible; therefore, I will submit what I have written for your consideration, knowing that you know that my acts long since have proven to you that the above written is verily true.

God bless you, for I pray continually that you may be blest with our children; may God, our Heavenly Father, bless them, preserve them from the power of the adversary, and from all evil designing men and women. This is my prayer constantly in your and their behalf. Bless and kiss those little ones for me. I see their pretty actions. Their likenesses are good. I have now got all but John’s. I want his when he gets it taken. I hope John will give his attention to learning, and not too much attention to the girls. Some council to William. William wrote me a very nice letter; so did Sis, so did Hiram and Josephine and Caty; they should write frequently on the thin paper, it will learn them to compose.

(To be continued.)


Picture of Groesbeck cradle in Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, Salt Lake City, Utah. Donated to the museum by grandson Edward J. Groesbeck. Picture is blurred because I took it through glass protecting the display in 2008. The sign on the cradle reads: Cradle belonged to Nicholas Groesbeck, pioneer 1856., Our Groesbeck Ancestors in America, compiled and published by Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, Sr., 1963, pg. 19. Letter from Helen Rex Frazier collection.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan part 5

On March 4, 1878 John Morgan was again called to the Southern States Mission where he served until the spring of 1879. When he arrived home Mellie and the children had moved from the apartment in the school house to a nice home located at 163 South First West and John saw his baby daughter Ruth for the first time

[From the John Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah. Southern States Mission]

Georgia [1878]
October 17
[from Elledges]
Started to write my letters and answered one from my wife informing me that a little babe had been born into my family at home [daughter Ruth born 4 Oct 1878]. Rained hard during part of the day. Turned cold and cleared off late. After supper we walked over to Mr. Huffakers where we stayed tonight. Found a good feeling.
…
Alabama [1878]
December 25
Early this a.m. Brother R. A. Elkins took Elders Ralph Smith and E. Edlefson 10 miles on the way to Rome. I walked some distance with them and parted leaving them feeling well. In the p.m. I rode to the P. O. and got a letter from my wife.
…
North Carolina [1879]
February 5
Wrote some letters and then carried my clothes to Mrs. Harrisons to get them washed. Then rode across the hills to the P. O. Received my mail that contained my release to return home for which I feel very grateful. Preached at Mr. Gibbs. Good attention.
…
March 21
Walked over to Elledges this a.m. and met the Brethren. At 11 a.m. bid them goodbye. Edlef[son] accompanying me, we rode to Tunnell Hill where I had to wait for the train until 3:40 p.m. Arrived in Chattanooga at 6:10. Had supper, then met Sissons Tinslow and Mills. R. R. men. Had a talk over the emigration matter.
…
March 23
The emigrants continued to gather during the day and at a late hour all got in. Our baggage was loaded and at 8:30 p.m. we boarded the M. and C. R. R. enroute for Zion. The officers and men of the road with one honorable exception were decidedly ungentlemanly. At Woodville, we picked up a car containing Jas. Jack’s family.
…
March 28
Secured a place for the people and had to wait during the day for Bishop Jensen to come with wagons to take us out to the settlement. He arrived during the afternoon. Busy during the day.

March 29
Started as soon as we could load our wagons for the settlement, where we arrived at 9 p.m. after a hard days trip through one of the finest valleys I ever saw. Glad to arrive with my emigrants at last.
…
April 4, 1879
Started early this a.m. for home. Passed Cheyenne at 1:30 and turned west on the U. P. Fell quite sick, no appetite.

April 5
Passed Laramie, Rawlins, Evanston, and many towns of smaller note during the day. Nothing of interest until near Ogden where I met Pres. Smith who asked me to have supper with him. At Ogden, Brother and Sister G. [probably Nicholas and Elizabeth Groesbeck] met me and at 8:20 p.m. I reached home after an absence of 13 months. Weary, tired and most sick. Found my dear ones all well and glad am I to be at home with them once more.

History of Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan by granddaughter Marjorie Morgan Gray submitted to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum 9 June 1977. The picture of John Morgan's home appears in the following publications.

[Picture caption:] “The John Morgan home at 163 South 1st West Street. The front part was built in about 1875; the central part in the late sixties and in the early seventies it was a private school The home was owned and completed by Nicolas Groesbeck and given to his daughter Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan, wife of John Morgan, where that family lived until 1896.” Nicholas Groesbeck by Nicholas Groesbeck Morgan, Sr., photocopy of 20 page pamphlet, no publishing date, pg. 19.

[Picture caption:] “John and Helen Melvina Morgan with two of the children in front of their roomy, well-built home, at 163 South 1st West, a gift of Nicholas Groesbeck. They were forced to give it up in the panic of 1893.” Nichlas Groesbeck Morgan, The Man Who Moved City Hall, by Jean R. Paulson, 1979, pgs. 6-7.



The numbering of the streets to the west, and running parallel with West Temple changed after 1970.

Copy of real estate record of Nicholas Groesbeck's properties on First West and dates of title transfers from Helen Rex Frazier collection.

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan Part 4

Father Groesbeck gave John and Mellie a block of ground located on the north side of First South between West Temple and First West, later known as 144 West First South. John Morgan built a new college there in 1870. A building was constructed large enough for the school and a large apartment on the top floor in the rear. It appears that this is the home Mellie is living in with her two daughters, Helen Melvina and Eliza Ann, when she welcomes John home from his mission in December 1877. There is a picture of the college on the Phelps Family History website.

[From the John Morgan Journal, Marriott Library, University of Utah. Southern States Mission]

November, 1877
21st - Started on the M and C. road for the West with a company of about 80 Saints. All Well. Changed cars at Corinth. Took Ohio and Miss. For Columbus, Ky. Where we crossed the Mississippi on a boat in the cars.
…
26th - Began to make arrangements to get permanent winter quarters. Rode over to South Pueblo with Dr. Shelburne, who showed about town and we secured a location to erect barracks. At night we held a meeting and took some steps to organize into the U. O. Bro. Moyers and Dennington kicked out of the traces and showed a bad spirit.
...
December 1st, 1877
Worked all day at our barracks. In the afternoon moved into them. Got in by dark all O.K.
...
5th - After bidding the camp goodbye, I went up to South Pueblo and at 2 P.M. boarded the train for Denver, where I arrived at 8:30 at night and I stopped over night at that point.

6th - At 8 A.M. took the Kan. Pacific for Cheyenne where I arrived at 1 P.M. and in one hour took the U.P. train for Ogden, traveled all day, slept well at night.

7th - At daylight we made Laramie for breakfast. Cold and unpleasant. Travelled all day and at night arrived at Ogden. Bro. Zeb. Jacobs, Drove home over the U.C. to Salt Lake where I arrived at 8:20. Came up home and met my dear wife and children after an absence of 2 years, one month and ten days. My family all well.

8th - About home all day which I enjoyed very much. My wife had a new suit of clothes for me, which I needed very much. The rooms of the house were nicely fixed up and everything looked cosy and neat. I feel very thankful to God for His mercies and blessings.
…
15th - December. At the invitation of Bro. N. V. Jones, I preached at the 13th Ward Assembly room at 2 P.M. to a full house of Saints, who paid strict attention. Met many old acquaintances and friends. At night went to the 17th Ward where I preached again at Bishop John H. Smith’s request. A good feeling.

16th – Spent part of the day in writing and went with Dr. Williams of Chicago to the President’s office, The Temple, Tabernacle and other places.
...
20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th. December
Have employed the time for the past few days in reading and enjoying home. The weather has been very pleasant and warm. Have met many of the brethren and sisters who appear glad to welcome me home. While out on my mission I felt much anxiety to know how my mission would result and the Lord saw proper to show me that I should do a good work and return home welcomed by all the Saints. My mind was at rest from that time on.

25th - Christmas Day. Snowing and cloudy. The first snow fall I have seen during the season. Three years since I had the opportunity of being at home on Christmas day. Santa Claus visited our house last night and brought a supply of candy, dolls and nuts for the little ones. Had an invitation to John G’s [perhaps John Groesbeck, Mellie’s brother] for dinner, but had rather stay at home and enjoy the society of my wife and little ones.
…
January 1st, 1878
Was at home today the first New Years spent at home for three years. Bro.[Nicholas] Groesbeck and Bruce Taylor came in and spent the evening. Bro. G. [probably Nicholas Groesbeck] went away to attend the meeting of City Council, while Bruce remained and we had a long talk upon matters pertaining to religion.

(To be continued.)

I took the picture of the greenery with red berries at the Chevy Chase Ward, Bethesda, Maryland, 2008. History of Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan by granddaughter Marjorie Morgan Gray submitted to Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum 9 Jun 1977. The Life and Ministry of John Morgan, Arthur M. Richardson, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr., 1965, p.46.

Helen Rex Frazier, "A Trip to the Lake"

Following are some facts and a few guesses about Helen Rex Frazier’s grammar assignment of October 6, 1926. It is the only paper she kept from that time of her life (or perhaps her mother kept it for her). The Lake in this account is Bear Lake, north of Randolph, Utah. Helen was thirteen years old. It was a new school year and my guess is she was assigned to write about something she’d done during the summer.

Bessie Morgan Rex (her mother) and Gail Morgan Clayton (her aunt) are John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan’s two youngest daughters. As young women the sisters both worked for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company in Salt Lake City prior to their marriages, just a little over a year apart.

Gail Morgan and her husband John (known as Jack) Clayton lived in the city, Salt Lake City, Utah. Bessie Morgan and her husband Percy Harold (known as P. H.) Rex lived in the country, Randolph, Utah. According to Winifred Rex Andrus the families were close and looked forward to spending time together. During the summer months the Clayton’s oldest son John Morgan (known as Jack) Clayton worked on the Rex Ranch in the hayfields.

This essay is about the Jack Clayton family coming to Randolph to pick up their son Jack, after he’d spent the summer working with his Uncle P. H. Rex and cousins in Randolph. At the time each family had five children of similar ages.

Bessie Morgan married Percy Harold (P. H.) Rex 12 June 1912. Their children are: 1913 Helen, 1915 Harold Morgan, 1918 Winifred, 1920 John Morgan, 1924 Maeser Morgan, 1930 Flora Elizabeth.

Gail Morgan married John (Jack) Clayton, 08 Feb 1911. Their children are: 1912 Bernice, 1914 John Morgan (Jack), 1919 Gail, 1921 Darwin Spencer, 1925 Richard (Dick) William.

Amy is probably Amy Rex Gerber (1914-1998). Parents, John Oseland and Edna Josephine Brown Rex.

As for Mr. Smith. Neither Aunt Winnie [Winifred Rex Andrus] nor I can guess at who he might be.

I was finally able to identify this lovely portrait of Jack and Gail Morgan Clayton and their first child, Bernice Clayton Purchase. For years it’s been one of the few unknown/unmarked pictures among Helen Rex Frazier’s collection. The head used on the John Hamilton Morgan family portrait sheet for Gail’s husband, Jack, is from this portrait.

The scalloping on the skirt, and the tied sashes on the sides of the dress, toddler Bernice is wearing, are similar in style to the white dress Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan made for granddaughter Helen Rex Frazier in about 1921. I can’t tell if it is embroidered in the flowered, leaf, vine patterns she used.

From the Helen Rex Frazier collection. History, Descendants, and Ancestry of William Rex and Mary Elizabeth Brough of Randolph, Utah, compiled by Ronald Dee Rex, 1999, p. 245.

Helen Rex Frazier 1979 autobiography conclusion

Grandma Morgan [Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan] made a white dress for me and entered it in the State Fair. We had a Christmas Program and I learned “The Night before Christmas” and wore the white dress.

Fourth grade my teacher was Rachel Pickett (Wilson), fifth grade was Mrs. Mary Israelson and sixth grade teacher was her husband Vernon Israelson. The first 5 grades we went to the red brick school house, but in the sixth grade I/we went to the high school up on the hill. Glen Moss taught me in the 7th and 8th grades and then I went into high school where I had two teachers in the 9th grade; Mr. Maughn and Miss Shipley.

Mother wanted her children to have every opportunity for a good education. The High School in Randolph was small, with only the basics being taught. When I was in the 10th grade I lived in Salt Lake with Mother’s brother’s family; Uncle Earl [Gerard Earl Morgan], Aunt Merin [Merin Birgitta Engman Morgan], and Jerry and attended LDS High School. I also took violin lessons from Arilia Cook Schrymer at the McCune School of Music on North Main Street. The Church Office Building and Relief Society Buildings now stand where LDS High and Jr. College stood.

After one year at LDS it was decided that I should finish my high school in Randolph. The High Schools in Randolph and Woodruff had been consolidated. Ruben Law was the principal. He was a young man very interested in teaching and in improving the educational opportunities in Rich County. I participated in High School activities playing in the school orchestra, singing in the glee club, taking parts in school plays and public speaking.

In 1930 when I was 17 a special event happened in our family. Flora Elizabeth was born on April 7, 1930, one week to the day after my birthday. We were all so happy with her. Her arrival helped my mother through some very trying times—the great depression had started—the bank in Kemmerer went broke and Father lost the ranch on Bear River and most of his livestock. The house in Randolph was saved. The only time I saw Mother cry hard was when father came back from the bank. I went up stairs and she was lying on her bed, her glasses off, and her eyes red as she told me what had happened. They had worked so hard so they could be financially able to send their children to college and now all of her plans came tumbling down.

I finished high school and went to Utah State Agriculture College in Logan one semester. However, in the fall of 1932 I went to LDS Business College and worked in a home for my board and room. I took shorthand, typing, and bookkeeping. I worked for the County Assessor for Rich Co. to get some money for my tuition. I did not graduate from LDS Business College because the County Agriculture Agent could give me work in his office part time and there was a young man in Woodruff who made me want to be at home.

I took the picture of the McCune Mansion on North Main Street, Salt Lake City, this Spring.Helen Rex on right standing on steps of LDS High. Liberty Park monument, Salt Lake City, L-R Helen Rex Frazier, Jerry Morgan, unknown. Flora Elizabeth Rex Lamborn in goat cart. Glenn Frazier and Helen Rex drinking root beer, about 1934.

John Morgan Journal

Are you too busy for family history? Maybe not! Maybe you’re doing it right now! James Tanner, a genealogist and John Morgan descendant, at Genealog Star lists Ten Ways to Live Your Family History. Thank you so much for these excellent ideas!

Today at The Ancestor Files Amy began posting John Morgan’s Diary for November 17-22, 1888. She has lined up several additional posts to follow. I appreciate what she’s doing, and enjoy further learning and understanding Great Grandfather John Morgan’s life. I trust you will also.

Today there is a very interesting account on Amateur Mormon Historian called The Train Ride Home detailing a John Morgan experience.

I took this picture through the east pines atop the Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah this Spring. The Church Office Building is beyond them.

Helen Rex Frazier, 1979 autobiography

Helen Rex Frazier

b. 31 Mar 1913, Randolph, Utah
p. Percy Harold Rex, Bessie Morgan Rex
m. Glenn Frazier, 21 Nov 1937, Oakland, California
d. 26 Jun 1982, Salt Lake City, Utah
b. 29 Jun 1982, Elysian Gardens, Salt Lake City, Utah

Helen Rex was named for her grandmother Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan.
I will have to search my memory if I leave my children and grandchildren a history of my life. I’m now 66 years of age.

I was born 31 March 1913 in Randolph, Rich Co., Utah, the first child of Percy Harold Rex and Bessie Morgan. Father was born and raised in Randolph but mother was born in Salt Lake City. She fell in love with father, married him and moved to Randolph. As the time was nearing for my entrance into this mortal life, Mother stayed with Grandpa [William Rex] and Grandma [Mary Elizabeth Brough] Rex, where she would be near the doctor, as she and father lived on part of the Rex brothers ranch 12 miles from Randolph.

The first home I remember our living in was a white frame house on the north side of Canyon Street one half block east of Main Street. Uncle Will and Aunt Agnes Rex lived across the street. Here two more children were born into the family—Harold Morgan on 24th of July, 1915 and Winifred on 23rd of April 1918.

The night Winnie was born Harold and I were sleeping on a cot in the front room. I awakened and started to cry. Father came to quiet me. Dr. [Matthew Simpson] Reay, in a white coat, asked if there was anything he could do. I quickly scooted down into bed as the man in the white coat frightened me.

World War I was being fought in Europe at this time. Grandma Morgan [Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan] came from Salt Lake to visit. I remember watching her knit socks and scarves for the Red Cross and watching her and mother save the pits from peaches for use in making gas (I believe). They let Harold and I arrange them in dripper pans as they put them out to dry.

In June of 1920 we moved to the home on Church Street. Our family was growing and this home was much larger as it was two stories. John Morgan was born here on 28 December 1920 and on 9 May 1924 another baby boy arrived—Maeser Morgan.

I started school when we lived in the white frame house on Canyon Street. The two story red brick school on the southwest corner of Main and Canyon Street was used then and my first grade teacher was Miss Hicks. She wore her hair with two round bobs, one on each side of her head, just back of her ears. She claimed she could see out of these bobs, so warned us she could tell who was misbehaving when she had her back turned. This really puzzled me.

My parents were sincerely religious and religious teachings were very much a part of our lives. I was taken to Sunday School as soon as I was three years of age. My Great Aunt Hanna Telford was my kindergarten teacher. I loved her very much and delighted sitting on the little red chairs that she had in a circle. There was a pot-bellied stove on one side of the room as the church had no central heating system.

I especially liked the activity song “Fly Little Bird, fly ‘round the ring. Fly little bird while we all sing. Then fly down to someone’s feet and we’ll sing you a song so soft and sweet.” A child would skip around the circle of chairs using his arms for wings and the one he kneeled in front of was the next bird.

Sister Grace Morris, a good friend of my mother’s, taught me in Sunday School and in Bee Hives; Kenneth Muir was one of my Sunday School teachers in my teen years; we studied the Old Testament.

In Primary I remember Eva Telford as my Seagull Teacher. I especially liked her. She had a party at her home for us and she had paper seagulls hanging from the low branches of an evergreen tree.

Minnie McKinnon and Ina Jackson were my Gleaner Teachers when I started my Treasure of Truth and my genealogy. I am so grateful that these people encouraged me to take advantage of activities in various classes such as becoming an “Honor Bee” in Bee Hive, participating in “Story Telling” when I was a Junior Girl, and public speaking in Gleaners. Because of these activities I have never forgotten the story of “Ester” in the Old Testament, ”The Mansion” by Henry Van Dyke, and “The Moonlight Sonata,” of course Mother was always helping and encouraging me in these activities.

Back now to my education in school. In third grade Mary Herbert was my teacher. She had to work hard as our grade had not been taught phonics and as a result could not read. She drilled us to catch up the two last years. Mother decided that year to take in the school teachers as borders—Pearl Stratford and Mary Herbert. Morgan was a toddler and the young women were very daring, rolling their stockings below their knees. Morgan would pull their dress up and show their knee and then slap it. Miss Stratford laughed and thought it was so cute—of course then he did it some more.

[Editor's note: Each summer the family moved to thier ranch house to work their fields, and stock, and cook for the haymen. They always moved their solid oak upright piano with them. Winnifred Rex Andrus recently described to me how they would run wood planks from the front porch steps out to their wagon bed. The men and boys would then slide the piano down the planks onto the wagon and haul it to the ranch house. They returned it to their home in Randolph at the end of each haying season. According to Aunt Winnie (Winifred Rex Andrus) "It always seemed to be in tune!" She would know for she practiced the piano year round.]

(To be continued.)

Top picture of Helen Rex Frazier about 1937. Rex family Church Street home. Helen, Harold, Winnie, Morgan at the side of their home in about 1921. Randolph, Utah ward house in the 1930s. P.H. Rex children L-R Maeser, Helen, Morgan, Winnie, Harold at their Ranch House.

John Hamilton Morgan, Missionary

[Editor’s note: I returned to the Marriott Library to read and copy some of John Morgan’s missionary years. I’m interested in what he recorded while teaching in Haywood Valley, Georgia. I’m familiar with the account of his dream (about 1866) , interpreted by Sister Heywood, in Salt Lake City. And I wanted to read what he recorded in his journal while he traveled there. For an account of his dream, search for John Morgan here. I have copied these entries exactly, even though a typo may seem evident. This is his journal in its entirety for this 11 month period.]

Thank you to John and Helen Melvina Morgan’s descendant Geraldine M. for sharing her beautiful Haywood Valley photos. She and her family visited there last year.

Covington, Indiana, July 4, 1876
Have neglected to keep my Journal for the past month. Have been working some, fishing some and reading considerable. Have read the Book of Mormon and am now reading the New Testament. Have held two and three meetings each Sunday but one and done all the good I could by private talking. An overflowing rain has been falling almost all the month. The wheat crop has been seriously damaged and the corn is being damaged very much.

This is the celebration day of the Anniversary of our Republic. Drunkeness, riot and wrong doing will cover the lands today.

Johnsonville, August 20, 1876
Have been preaching at every opportunity afforded for the entire time that my Journal has been neglected. Generally held two or three meetings each Sabbath. Have written a number of letters for the papers at Covington, which were all published. Brother J. D. H. McAllister and Joseph H. Standing came to me on the 10th day of this month and on the 11th I received my release from President B. Young. On the 12th in company with Brother McAllister I went to the South part of the county and held Church on Sunday and during the week. Three women are seeking the Gospel and desire to be guided by the spirit.

Johnsonville, Indiana, August 24, 1876
Preaching through this part of the country every evening, Very hot, Since prospects of some additions to the Church.

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

Haywood Valley, October 28, 1876
Have been preaching here in the locality and with a good prospect of doing good. My health has not been good, but is improving. I am not writing my journal as I should. Must improve in this respect.

Haywood Valley, December 3, 1876
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.

December 30, 1876
Have been preaching and teaching during the month in Chattooga and Floyd Counties with some success.

Berry Springs, Alabama, April 15, 1877
Since my last entry in my journal I have preached throughout Floyd, Chattooga and Gordon Counties, Georgia, baptizing many and enjoying the spirit of my mission. I left the Brethren in Haywood on the 22nd of March and came to Cherokee, Alabama. Preached in several counties, Cherokee, Dekalb and Dade Counties, Georgia. Visited Green Blake’s and the Browns’ at Sulphur Springs, relatives of Margaret Smoot, also Jack Blake, Alpine, Georgia, and the Grove Oak Branch of the Church in DeKalb.County. Met with Brothers Lisonbee Brewerton and Wightman from Utah with a number of the native Saints. Am now at Chas. H. Paynes, P. O. Alpine, Georgia near where I preached today. Pleasant weather. Met, while on my trip Marion O’Rear, a man that Brother Crosby baptized some years ago. He has become fossilized, also Jas. M. Smith, P. O. Cedar Springs, Ala.

Armuchis Branch, May 7, 1877
Since the 15th of April visited the Grove Oak, Dekalb County branch of the Church. Met Brothers Lisonbee, Brewerton and Wightman and held meeting with them. Returned to Chattooga County, corssing some terrible rivers on the way, swift and rapid. Held a general conference of the North Georgia and Alabama Saints at Haywood Valley Church. Well attended and good spirit prevailing. Brothers Brewerton and Wightman returned to Grove Oak, while Brother Lisonbee and I started on a trip to this branch and the Beechcreek. Found the brethren generally enjoying the spirit of God and feeling well the spirit of emigration is taking hold upon the Brethren generally and I am much in hopes that all will try and emigrate this Fall.

Haywood Valley, May 15, 1877
Came over from the Armuchie Branch last week. Held meeting Sunday forenoon and went to hear a Methodist Circuit-rider preach a mess of stuff about the doing away of prophecy and the Mormon’s delusion, fraud and false Prophet was the burden of his song. His name is Boyd, an Irishman. Went to hear him again on Tuesday night when he had very much softened down.

Held meeting at Uncle Peter Lawrence’s Thursday night. Thursday we came to Major Freeman’s and stopped all night. Gave out a meeting for Sunday. Came on over Saturday and stayed all night at Brother Mannings’. Preached at Major Freeman’s Sunday morning. Close attention paid. Major Freeman badly stirred upon the question of baptism.

Rock Springs, Georgia, June 5, 1877
Brother L. and myself left the brethren in Haywood Valley on the 31st of May. Came to District Town and stopped over night with Wesley Shropshire. Treated kindly, Came to Jas. Mattox for dinner, from there, by way of Lafayette to this place. Stayed all night with Jas. Smith. Obtained a school house to preach in. Preached Sunday to a good audience. Had dinner at Wm. Key’s. Stopped over night at Jas. Wilburn’s. Last night at Mr. Jones. Had dinner at Mrs. Park’s. We are treated kindly in this neighborhood and will probably preach again.

John Hamilton and Helen Melvina Groesbeck Morgan Salt Lake City Cemetary Family Plot.

At last year’s P. H. Rex family reunion, John and Helen Melvina Morgan’s descendant Flora Rex Lamborn asked if I’d found their three young children’s grave sites. Three of their eleven children died as children. I didn’t know then, but I’ve since discovered they are all buried in the plot John and Helen Melvina are buried in. Lots 15 and 16 North Rod Block 10.

This picture from the John Morgan photograph collection at the Marriott Library shows some stones beyond the gravestone that could have named the children. They’re all gone now.

It appears that a woman is sitting in the carriage just beyond the monument. Could it be Helen Melvina? Could it be one of his other wives? Is it someone who is with the photographer taking this picture?

The Ancestor Files posted a letter inviting contributions to purchase a suitable gravestone for the John Hamilton Morgan grave site. The letter was published in the Deseret News (February 18, 1899 and November 25, 1899) and the Southern Star (March 4, 1899). You can read it by searching for “manifesting” after clicking here. I don’t know when the Morgan gravestone was actually placed at the grave site.

I copied the following burial dates for the family members buried there from the cemetery sexton’s log.

Marie Polly Bovee Groesbeck 29 Apr 1873
Elizabeth Morgan 1 Aug 1874
John Morgan 4 Dec 1881
Flora Groesbeck Morgan 1 Apr 1885
John H. Morgan 19 Aug 1894
James F. Smith 27 Jun 1915
Helen M. Morgan 20 June1930
Burk Kunkel 2 Jun 1935
Ruth Morgan Kunkel 27 May 1949
Eliza aka Lila Ann Morgan Smith 31 Jan 1952

Click on the picture to enlarge. You can see the names on the front markers. The markers mid-right are for John and Helen M. Morgan. They appear to be of the same granite and age. Perhaps they were placed together after Helen Melvina’s passing in 1930.

Are their John and Helen Melvina descendants interested in a project to place a stone at this site naming their children buried here? Would any John Morgan descendants be interested in a project to list his wives together? On the existing monument or a separate stone? A walk through this pioneer section of the cemetery illustrates that information is missing here.