Marion County
ILGenWeb

Biography - James Morgan

REV. JAMES HARVEY MORGAN.
By Mrs. Florence N. Murray Smith.

James Harvey Morgan was born in Warren County, Tennessee, January 24, 1828.

His early life was spent in farming and working in sawmills and lumber camps. We find upon examining his diary that he commenced farming with only one horse and sold his corn at 12 1/2 cents per bushel.

On November 5, 1845, he was married to Miss Amy E. Burge, who departed this life November 5, 1904.

In the winter of 1845 he made a profession of religion at a Methodist meeting in the state of Tennessee. He was licensed to preach October, 1856 in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and ordained in March, 1866. He began preaching in a circuit in the spring of 1856 in Marion County, Illinois.

In August, 1862, he volunteered as a soldier in the Civil War and September 10, 1862, was commissioned as captain in the 124th Illinois Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company K., in which he served until early in 1863, when because of failing health he returned home.

After rest and recuperation he resumed his work in the ministry. In the spring of 1872, he removed into the bounds of the Rushville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, becoming a member of same. From 1872 to 1886 he preached to one congregation, afterwards preaching for a number of years in Industry. While engaged in the ministry he continued farming, many days working in the harvest field all day and walking to his appointment at night.

Reverend Morgan was a member of the Grand Army post and also belonged to the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, of Macomb, Ill.

He died at his home at Macomb, Ill., January 2, 1913; aged eighty-five years. He leaves surviving him five daughters: Mrs. Amanda Whiting, of Industry; Mrs. Ollie Cordell, of Birmingham; Mrs. Catherine Legg, Mrs. F. M. Brown and Miss Queen Esther Morgan, all of Macomb; and two sons: William F. Morgan, of Paris, Mo., and James H. Morgan, of Helena, Montana. He also leaves one sister and two brothers.

Thus after a long life of unselfish devotion to his Master he has gone home, bearing his sheaves with him.

Contributor’s Note:

John Morgan Jr. moved with the Middleton Family from Warren County, TN, about 1836, to Marion County. They lived around the County at different points. Joseph D. Morgan was his son. Joseph had children. Two of his sons were James Harvey and Joseph D. (Jr.) Joseph Jr. was a Doctor and is buried in a cemetery there. James Harvey was a minister and lived there and then moved to McDonough County, IL, where he died.

My Morgan-line stayed in Tennessee. Most all my research is being done by Carl Davenport of Murfreesboro, TN, and Saw Wonders of Reynolds, Indiana.

Contributed by Kevin Morgan.