Does anyone know how John Morgan came to be called "John Hamilton Morgan"?

Group of Southern States Missionaries about 1880

3-John Morgan, 4-Matthias Foss Cowley (SS Mission 1880-1882)

Used with permission, John Hamilton Morgan Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. purchased 2012.

Great Grandfather John Morgan's FamilySearch.org family tree is marked "Read Only." Amy's 2014 question is still found there and accessible.

Does anyone know how John Morgan came to be called "John Hamilton Morgan?" The book "The Life and Ministry of John Morgan," makes the following statement about the middle name, but the co-author, Nicholas G. Morgan Sr., does not give a source for the information: "Although christened 'John Hamilton Morgan,' the 'Hamilton' name coming from his mother's people, my father confined his name, throughout his mature life to 'John Morgan.'" Every record I recall seeing from John Morgan's lifetime calls him "John Morgan" with no middle name or initial, with the exception of the 1850 US Census, which calls him "John W." Anyone familiar with any letters or other sources that show him using the middle name "Hamilton" during his lifetime?
25 May 2014   by Amy Tanner Thiriot

During August of 1894 Matthias Cowley was attending to John Morgan as he lay dying in Preston, Idaho.  Cowley's journal entries reveal some helpful family history facts.

Last year cousin Karen discovered a drawer full of 5 x 7 index cards her Grandfather Nicholas G. Morgan had copied his own father's journal entries onto. Among the cards were eleven with Matthias Cowley's August 1894 journal entries.

The card I transcribed below is very telling.

(continued from the previous card where he is writing about Mary Ann Linton Morgan)

Aug 19 – 92 After moving away for some time, she again returned and again, the third time – and this time rented Adam Hunter’s house in which another little baby boy was born [Jan 26, 1894] and whom they called for me – Mathias Cowley. His father blessed him and I blessed him again the night after his father’s death.

After the burial, Mrs. Helen [lined through M. Morgan] Snyder and myself attended the services in the Tab. and listened to Pres. Housdale of the Michigan University on the Essentials of the Mind. After meeting called on Geo. A & Lucy Smith, his wife, the later a second cousin of mine. Returning to Bro. Morgan’s by request of Sis. Helen M. Morgan,  I blessed her little baby boy, sealing upon him the name of John Hamilton. Slept that night at Bro. Morgan’s.  

The following image shows three other index cards of the eleven in Nicholas Morgan's file drawer.

If there is interest, I will add the transcription of the other ten index cards that describe John Morgan's days at Preston, return train trip to Salt Lake and his funeral and burial.

Thank you cousin Karen.

Spring 1878 John Morgan returned to Rome, Georgia as Mission President. Joined Joseph Standing.

April 12, 1878. "I feel well in getting back to my old beat."

Continued from here.

After spending the Christmas of 1877 at home in Salt Lake City with family and friends in the 14th Ward, John Morgan returned to Rome, Georgia, the nearby mountains and the people living there. He spent his days at home planning and gathering others and resources to return to the South. He returned to Georgia in the Spring of 1878 as Mission President of the Southern States Mission, a calling he held until January 1888.

On Monday, January 21, 1878 he wrote, "Friday was occupied in calling on President Taylor; in the afternoon distributed a lot of prizes to the school, after which I went to the President's office and from there to the Historian's office, where myself, Bro. Johnson and Bro. Williams were all set apart to go on a mission to the Southern States. Raining and bad weather tonight."

He noted in his February 18-23, 1878 journal entry, "Bro.[Matthias] Cowley was set apart  under my hands, my first effort. ... Bro Cowley  had supper with me."

On the train East John Morgan stopped several weeks with the new emigrants he'd left in Pueblo, Colorado the previous November. It was March 30, 1878 before John Morgan arrived back in Rome, Georgia.   "Took train for Rome where we arrived at 9:30 p.m. and put up at the Rome House."

Mountains around Rome: April 12, "I feel well in getting back to my old beat and I trust that the spirit of God will enlighten our minds so that we may be enabled to do a good work."

April 18, "Learned this a.m. that Jos. Standing had arrived from Utah. Returned from Baileys to Haywood Valley where I met some of the Brethren and stayed all night at Walter Smiths."

April 19, "Joseph came up this morning early and we had quite a meeting and a long talk. Wrote a letter to Brother Barnett and Cowley and one to Mellie." [ Morgan left his wife at home feeling ill. Feb 6, 1878, "At home today. Mellie quite unwell and confined to the bed."]

April 20, "Spent the day at Walter Smiths. Wrote some letters and talked."

April 21, 1878,  "Held meeting at 11 a.m. and quite a good attendance and spoke upon the history of the church. Brother Sabin bearing his testimony and Brother Standing reading for me. Went home with Jno., Barbour. Made arrangements for a meeting with Brother Smith Monday night."

(To be continued.)

Notes: I wasn't able to locate missionaries Johnson or Williams in the "Missionaries called to the Southern States Mission" for this time period among the John Hamilton Morgan papers, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. John Morgan Journal Entries are from that collection. Picture is from cousin Geraldine M. 2008 trip to Rome Georgia area.

1878 Elder Matthias Cowley served with President John Morgan in the Southern States Mission.

From John Hamilton Morgan, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Used with permission. 

When  Heather Seferovich showed this picture during her lecture on November 14, and identified the missionary to John Morgan's right as Elder Matthias Cowley she solved one of my mysteries. Matthias Cowley was student and friend to John Morgan. He attended the Morgan College as a young man and served as a missionary under President John Morgan in the Southern States Mission. He was with John Morgan in 1894 when he died.

From John Morgan's journal of February 18-23, 1878, Salt Lake City, Utah. Have been busy all week getting information relative to the Southern Mission. Bro. Barnett came in from Payson on the 21st and on the 22nd he and Bro. Cowley and Bro. Weeks were set apart the two first to Kentucky, the latter to Illinois, Bro. Cowley was set apart under my hands, my first effort... Bro. Cowley had supper with me. 
 

The 1880 conference reported below by Elder Matthias Cowley may be the conference President  John Morgan was speaking at when he learned his friends hadn’t been able to attend because of an ill child. He insisted he travel to visit them following the meeting. Upon his arrival he learned their child had passed away. The incident was described in the letter posted here previously.  

The Work in the South.

Tilson’s Mill, Blande Co. Va., February 12, 1880.

Editors Deseret News.

Dear Brethren—The following are the minutes of a two day’s conference held in this district at the Litz School-house, Burk’s Garden, Tazewell County, Va., Saturday and Sunday, February 7^th and 8^th, 1880.

Saturday 10 a.m.

Elders present: Elder John Morgan, President of the Southern States mission; Wm. W. Fife and Matthias F. Cowley, traveling elders in the Virginia Conference.

President Morgan addressed the congregation on the gathering of the Saints, in which he spoke forcibly of Zion extending her borders, and the settlement of the Saints in Colorado,

Recommending the Saints to gather to that point and assist in building up the kingdom of God.

2 p.m.

Elder Fife addressed the people present on the first principles of the gospel and bore a strong testimony to the truth of the same.

Elder Cowley spoke of the necessity of the Saints living their religion and as soon as practicable gathering to Zion.

President Morgan followed with a spirited address, principally on gathering, and being governed by the revelations of God.

Sunday 10 a.m.

In addition to the Elders present on the first day, were Elders George R. Hill and Richad A. Ballantyne, from the Tennessee conference.

President Morgan delivered an excellent discourse on the pre-existent, present and future life of man, and the resurrection, by request of the children of Brother Philip Heninger, in honor of their father and mother, deceased members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A large congregation were in attendance and paid strict attention to the instructions given.

2 p.m.

Elder George R. Hill addressed the congregation in a spirited manner on the unchangeable character of the gospel, bearing a strong testimony to the truth of its principles.

Elder Cowley followed on the first principles of the gospel and promises made to the Saints on conditions of obedience to God’s commandments. 

Conference adjourned.

Since the 29^th of last June 51 souls have been added to the Church and 27 emigrated from this district. Prospects are favorable for more baptisms in the near future, and the Saints generally are anxious to gather to Zion. During the past summer the Elders have been going out into the surrounding country and finding openings to preach in different localities. Invitations have been given us to hold meetings in several neighborhoods, where we have not been able to devote any time on account of the limited force of elders in this district.

There are good openings for several more good energetic elders in this immediate section of country, while there are doubtless thousand of people in the surrounding counties, as well as throughout the Southern States who never heard the voice of an elder in Israel. This power of God has been manifest in our labors. The honest in heart are convinced of the truth by “hearing the word of God,” while the Pharises element who seek for a sign, thereby prove themselves to being a “wicked and an adulterous generation.”

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

Utah Digital Newspaper Project, http://digitalnewspapers.org/

A Faith Promoting Experience in the Ministry of President John Morgan. From a pamphlet compiled by his son in 1964.

 Faith Promoting Experiences in the Ministry of President John Morgan. 

Compiled and published by his son, Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr. in 1964.

(Continued from here.)

I recognized the letter Heather Seferovich read during her November 14th lecture, "Faith to Persevere; Southern States Mission" in the Assembly Hall. It is included in this pamphlet on pages 27-28. John Morgan's journal for all of 1880 is not included with the rest of his journal at the Marriott Library at the University of Utah.

 December 11, 1946

“Mr. N. G. Morgan

210 McIntyre Building

Salt Lake City, Utah

“Dear Brother Morgan:

“Agreeable to your request, I am pleased to furnish you with following information:

“In about 1910, when I was president of the Western States Mission, I had occasion to visit Pueblo, Colorado, to hold a regular conference. On my arrival at Pueblo, I met a brother who had driven from his home in Victor, Colorado, down to Pueblo, to attend the conference. He was a brother Henager and appeared to be about forty years of age.

“I was much impressed with his personality and during our several meetings of the conference he was constantly in my mind. During the final session, Sunday evening, I felt impressed to invite him to the stand to bear his testimony. He accepted my invitation and in his opening remarks gave expression, substantially, to the following:

“’My Father’s family lived in a mountainous region in Virginia, and during the period that President John Morgan was in charge of the Southern States Mission, he came into our country to hold a series of meetings; one of which was about thirty miles distant from our home.

“’Apparently he had known our family, and when the evening meeting was finished, he made inquiry concerning my father and mother. One member of our family who had gone to the meeting, told President Morgan that his folks were unable to attend because of the serious illness of his brother. “Well,” replied President Morgan, “I have a message for them and we must go to them immediately.”

“’He arrived at our home at about 3:00 o’clock the following morning. In the meantime the boy who was sick had died several hours previously and had been temporarily laid out on a cooling slab. President Morgan went into the room

Where the boy of ten years lay and prayed for him; blessed him and raised him to life.

“’The boy went to school the following morning, and when the teacher arrived, he was sitting on the fence in front of the school. She thought he was an apparition since the word had traveled around the neighborhood that he had died the night before, and she wouldn’t believe otherwise until she had looked for a scar that he had upon his wrist – I was that boy,’

“I may add that several years later I was called to Victor, Colorado, to preach at Brother Henager’s funeral. There I found the funeral parlor packed with local business people among whom he had evidently been very popular. At that time we had but few families of our Church living in Victor.

“I am happy to be of aid to you in furnishing you this information.

 “Sincerely your brother,

“(sgd) John L. Herrick” 

Note: Elder Matthias F. Cowley sent an account of a two day conference held February 7 and 8, 1880 at the Litz School-house, Burk’s Garden, Tazewell County, Va., to Salt Lake City. It was published in the Deseret News on March 3, 1880. Children of Brother Philip Heninger attended that conference.

Brothers Double Blessing, August 9, 1894.

 

September 6, 2012 I visited the Church History Library in Salt Lake City to look at the Fourteenth Ward’s original membership records. I determined that if I could locate a blessing record for Mellie Groesbeck and John Hamilton Morgan’s youngest son I would be able to prove or dispel the notion that the baby’s name had been changed following his father’s untimely August 14, 1894 passing.

I had only a few hours to spend downtown so I went to the desk in the library and submitted my request for the microfilm of the earliest 14^th ward membership records. I was disappointed to learn that the microfilm was in use by another patron that day, and I wouldn’t be able to use it. The librarian suggested that was most unusual, and if I searched through the catalog further I might find something else I’d like to use. There was a book version of the very record I wanted, so I asked for that. The librarian apologetically explained that the book wasn’t available for patron use. I suggested that since the microfilm was in use, and the pockets of time that I can get to the library are few and far between, perhaps the “powers that be” would permit me to use the book this one time. And they did! What a thrill!

The original Fourteenth Ward Record Book was delivered to my table in the reading room. The large 18 x 14 black leather volume took up the entire table when it was opened. Gold leafed lettering in the center of the cover read

 

Nineteen beautifully penned Morgan names were written in the index-- I found what I was looking for. Each numbered member’s name is followed by their parent’s name and birth and blessing dates.

# 858, Morgan, John Hamilton

John Morgan, Helen Groesbeck

7 Feb 1894, Salt Lake City

 blessed on  Aug 9, 1894 by M. F. Cowley

 

# 859, Morgan, M. [Mathias] Cowley

John Morgan, Mary Ann Linton

24 Jan 1894, Salt Lake City

blessed on Aug 9, 1894 by M. F. Cowley

 

These entries answered more questions than I’d asked. And they raised quite a few additional ones.

Both of John Morgan’s sons were blessed by Matthias Cowley on the same day, five days prior to their father’s August 14, 1894 passing.

John Hamilton Morgan Jr.’s name was NOT changed following his father’s death. I wonder what he’d been called before he was blessed and given the name John Hamilton Morgan.

Were the babies blessed in Preston, Idaho?

Family history tells us Grandmother Mellie sent her ailing husband to Preston, Idaho to recover from his illness. She must have hoped that away from the city he would have had a better chance for recovery, his wife Mary Ann would watch over him.

At some point Mellie traveled to Preston to be with her husband, only to return to Salt Lake when she received word her own baby at home had become very ill.

The train trip between Salt Lake and Preston was routine, and the trip was familiar to the Morgans. The train for Preston departed Salt Lake City daily at 5 p.m., and arrived Preston at 11:30 p.m.  The return train to Salt Lake left the following morning at 5:30 a.m. On John Morgan’s normal visits to Preston he would remain there the second day--his journal entry usually read something like, “Read and quiet today. George C. Parkinson [a community leader] called.” The next morning John Morgan would depart Preston on the 5:30 a.m. train, and arrive home in Salt Lake at 11:00 a.m.

 



 John Hamilton Morgan, Jr.

born February 7, 1894

 

Mathias Cowley Morgan

born January 24, 1894

 

You will find further information about these children at The Ancestor Files:



Where did John Hamilton Morgan die -- Preston, Idaho home.

John Morgan's Children

And a Story of Mary Ann Linton’s cure for baby John on this blog.

Pictures of John Morgan's sons are from Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, used with permission.