About John C. Morgan

This was posted on PA-Roots.org

Morgan, John C.

Posted by: Martha Cross Sargent (IP Logged)

Date: January 02, 2005 04:40PM

History of Washington County

John C. Morgan, vice-president of the Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg, Pa., and ex-treasurer of Washington County, is identified with other interests of this place, of which he has been a resident for some thirty-one years. He was born in Allegheny County, Pa., October 28, 1846, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Hindman) Morgan.

The Morgan family was established in Allegheny County in 1700, when the great-grandfather, who was probably of Welsh extraction, came to this section from West Virginia. He was accompanied by his son, Hugh Morgan, who grew to manhood, married, reared his family and died on the farm which has been in the family ever since and is now owned by John C. Morgan. On the same farm the late James Morgan, father of John C., was born and died, passing away in his ninetieth year, in 1898. He married Elizabeth Hindman, who was born in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., and died in 1869, aged sixty-three years. They had seven children born to them, all of whom survive, namely: Hugh, who resides at Oakdale, Ohio, married Harriet Hickman; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of William M. Herriott, lives in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County; Samuel W., residing at Marshalltown, Iowa, married Charlotte Benedict of that State; Billingsley, residing on the old homestead in Allegheny County, married Mary Farran, whom he survives; William P., residing at Canonsburg, married Martha Johnston; Margaret A., who is the widow of James Fife, residing in Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County; and John C., who is the youngest of the family.

John C. Morgan's life, until he was twenty-one years of age, was mainly passed on his father's farm. He attended the country schools and the academy at Mansfield, now Carnegie, for five months. When he departed from home surroundings, Mr. Morgan went to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he spent seven years, during a part of this time being engaged in business for himself, and during the other part was in the railroad service. In 1878 he came to Canonsburg where he embarked in the dry goods business, in which he continued until 1903, at which time he sold out. In 1891 he erected the handsome four-story business and office building to which his name is given and which is a credit to the city. In this block is situated the Canonsburg Opera House, a tasteful and well arranged amusement hall. In addition to his real estate interests and his financial connections, he is treasurer of the Canonsburg Pottery Company. In large measure, Mr. Morgan is a self made man and is one of unquestioned integrity and recognized ability.

In 1886, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Clara Wilson, of Washington, and they have five children, namely: Edith, who is the wife of Edward Crawford, residing at Freemont, Texas; Edna, who is the wife of Arthur Shaw, residing at East Liverpool, Ohio; and Clara, James and Florilla, all residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are members of the Central Presbyterian Church. He has been an active Republican since he reached manhood. He was elected treasurer of Washington County in 1905, and assumed the duties of the office January 1, 1906, and performed them to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens.

(Source: McFarland, Joseph F. 20th Century History of the City of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens. Chicago, Ill.: Richmond - Arnold Pub. Co., 1910, 1,438 pgs)