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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Charles Henry Morgan Although
the number of Welshmen in this country is small, yet they have made such a
splendid record wherever they have settled as to give their little country an
enviable renown; indeed, we would be glad to welcome many more of the sterling
sons of this rugged clime, for they have proven to be not only loyal,
law-abiding citizens, but also men of courage and industry, willing to go
through with any hardships or battle any obstacles if there was a hope of
gaining the prize sought; so they have, almost without exception, succeeded in
securing good homes and winning the high esteem of their acquaintances. One of
this worthy band is Charles Henry Morgan, a progressive farmer and stockman of
Poweshiek Township, Jasper County, who, since taking up his residence among us
some thirty years ago, has become the possessor of a valuable landed estate and
has won a host of warm personal friends. Mr.
Morgan was born in South Wales on January 18, 1850, and he is the son of John
and Charlotte (Crook) Morgan, both natives of Wales, the father born in 1819 and
the mother in 1825. They devoted
their lives to farming in their native country and there they died, the father's
death occurring on April 1, 1900, the mother having passed away in November
1899. Charles H. Morgan was the
second of five children to grow to maturity, namely: George lives in County
Monmouth, England, where he is engaged in railroading, being a manager on a line
there; Edwin, who was a coal miner, is deceased; Mrs. Ellen Bryce and Mrs..
Hannah Stephens. The
subject, having to work hard when a boy and there being no free schools in his
country when he was growing up, received no educational advantages, never having
attended school but a week and a half. He
remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, assisting his father
on the farm, also worked out for his neighbors.
He then began working in the coalmines.
Seeing little chance of bettering his condition in his home country, he
sought larger opportunities in the western hemisphere, emigrating to the United
States in 1882 on the steamship "Alaska," at that time the fastest
ocean-going vessel afloat. Mr.
Morgan located at Akron, Ohio, and for a time worked in a coalmine, but in
December of that year he came on to Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa, and worked in
the coalmines west of that town for some time.
In 1887, having saved his earnings, he purchased forty acres in Poweshiek
Township. Here he set to work with a will and. prospering through good
management, he has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of a
splendid farm of two hundred acres, which he has brought up to a high state of
improvement and cultivation, and here he carries on general farming and stock
raising on an extensive scale, being widely known as a hog raiser and feeder.
He has a commodious home and a good set of outbuildings on his place.
He is the owner of the Plimmer Grove Coalmine, and his son, John Morgan,
and his son-in-law, Frank Bloomquist, manage and run the mine, which is a source
of a handsome revenue, producing a fine grade of soft coal.
He has been very successful in a business way, all of which he is
well-deserving considering the fact that his early life was none too encouraging
and that he has accumulated his property unaided.
Politically, he is a Democrat and he has been school director of his
Township; also trustee. Fraternally,
he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr.
Morgan was married on January 8, 1880, to Catherine Thomas, who was born in
Wales on January 10, 1856, the daughter of John Thomas, a miner.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, named as follows:
John, George, David R., Henry, Ernest and Mrs. Charlotte Bloomquist.
All the children, now living, were born in America. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 811. |
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