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William L. MORGAN, farmer and blacksmith, was born in Bedford County,
Tenn., July 28, 1822. The father, Andrew MORGAN, was born and reared in Rockbridge County, Va., his birth occurring in 1802. He moved to Tennessee with his parents when he was about grown, and was then married in 1820 to Tempy CATES, and engaged in farming. He moved to Lawrence County, Mo., in 1843, and became one of its successful farmers. He died at the home of his daughter Caroline March 23, 1873. His wife was born in Orange County, N.C., in 1801, and died December 10,1877, at the home of her son William, where she had resided a number of years. She was the mother of three children: William L., Elizabeth J. and Caroline, wife of James GRANT. William L. was educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and after coming to Missouri with his parents, and residing here about eighteen months, he returned to Tennessee, and began learning the blacksmith trade. May 22, 1846, he was married to Keziah RICHARDS, and located on a farm in Bedford County, Tenn., but two years later came to Lawrence County, Mo.,
and began working at his trade in Mount Vernon. His wife died July 1,
1855. She was the mother of four children, but only one lived to be grown, William Cyrus. July 29, 1856, Mr. Morgan married Margaret, a daughter of William JENNINGS, one of the early settlers of Lawrence County. She was born December 25, 1833, and is the mother of the following family: Zorah Ann, wife of William BALDWIN; George W., Robert S and Charles M. During the late Civil War Mr. Morgan was a strong Union man, and did not hesitate to express his views. He served for about six months, and was then honorably discharged owing to injuries received while on a scouting expedition. In 1865 he purchased the farm on which he now lives, erected a blacksmith's shop on the same, and has followed blacksmithing in connection with farming. His farm of eighty acres is situated five miles north of Mount Vernon. He and family worship in the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the G.A.R., and in politics is a Republican.
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Rev. Morgan MORGANS, minister of the Christian Church at Marionville, Mo., was born in Decatur County, Ind., in 1851, and moved to Missouri with her parents in 1866, where he has since made his home. His father was a farmer, and is still residing in McDonald County at a good old age. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools and the high school at Newtonia, Newton County, and finally finished his education at Drury College, at Springfield, Mo. At the age of sixteen years he embraced Christianity, and began preaching at eighteen at Pineville, in McDonald County, and was ordained in March, 1871, being given charge of Elkhorn Church in McDonald County. He was pastor of the same until 1880, at which time he became pastor of the Christian Church at Marionville, serving in this capacity for three successive years. In the meantime he did a great deal of evangelical work. In 1873 he was chosen evangelist of Southwest Missouri for two years, and filled that position with great success. He then acted in the capacity of general evangelist over several States, but at the end of two years returned home and took charge of his old church. His duties are very arduous, and, as he was so often called to other fields, he again became evangelist of Southwest Missouri, and is now filling that position. He was married in 1870 to Mrs. Ema Adams, who was the mother of two children, Eva M., and Edmond L., by her first husband, Mr. Adams. Five
children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Morgans: Margaret E., Nora B., Rosetta E., Mary V. and Ephraim R. He owns valuable city property, and is one of the honored, successful and esteemed ministers of the Gospel in Southwest Missouri. For five years he has been one of the corresponding editors of the Christian Standard, published in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has held a number of religious discussions with representative men of various denominations.
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