CHARLES EDWARD MORGAN. A substantial and prominent business man of Cora,
Charles Edward Morgan is identified with its mercantile interests as a
member of the enterprising firm of Morgan Brothers, and performs his full
share in promoting the advancement and prosperity of the city. He was born
February 16, 1867, in Degognia township, Jackson county, Illinois, a son of
R. B. Morgan. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, Cairy Morgan, having
settled in Southern Illinois in the 'forties. He was, doubtless, the "Cairy
Morgan" who served in the Blackhawk war.
Born in Arkansas, May 6,
1841, R. B. Morgan was a small child when brought by his parents to
Illinois. At the age of eighteen years he began working on the Illinois
Central Railroad, and continued as a member of the construction gang until
the completion of the road. He subsequently moved with his parents to
Madison county, Illinois, and after the close of the Civil war bought land
in Jackson county, where he is now living, retired from business, having
accumulated a competency as a farmer, retaining his home, however, on the
farm which he improved. He has supported the principles of the Republican
party since old enough to cast a ballot, and all of his family are
Republicans.
R. B. Morgan married, in Madison county, Illinois, Mary
Bishop, daughter of a well-to-do farmer of that county, and of the thirteen
children born of their union eight are living, as follows: Maggie, wife of
Harvey Clendenin, a farmer in Cora; Lottie, wife of G. B. Tutor, of Degognia
township; Charles Edward, the subject of this sketch; Minnie, wife of
Sylvester Montroy, of Pinckneyville, an engineer; W. H., who is in
partnership with, his brother, Charles Edward; Cairy A., a blacksmith in
Murphysboro; Cora E., wife of E. L. Simpson, of Chester; and Ethel Irene,
wife of Zenas McMinn, who is engaged in farming at Kell, Illinois.
Brought up on the home farm, Charles Edward Morgan was educated in the
public schools of Jackson county, and for several years after attaining his
majority was prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1907 he and
his brother, W. H. Morgan, embarked in mercantile business under the firm
name of Morgan Brothers, and have since built up an excellent trade, being
among the leading merchants of Cora.
Mr. Morgan married, September
28, 1888, Nellie Tutor, a daughter of the late John Tutor, a farmer of
Rockwood, Illinois. She died July 25, 1907, leaving a Heaven-made vacant
place in the home circle. Nine children were born to their marriage, namely:
May, who died in infancy; Clarence; Rollie, deceased; Goldie; Wesley;
Charles Frederick; Hazel, deceased; Howard; and Roscoe H. Politically Mr.
Morgan is a steadfast Republican. Religiously he is a member of the
Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Morgan also belonged, and when services
were held in the Cora Presbyterian church he was one of the elders.
Extracted 15 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages 947-948.