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.)
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