THOMAS A. MORGAN

   Thomas A. Morgan is a leading representative of the business
interests of Webster, Iowa, where he is engaged in general
merchandising, and he also carries on general farming and stock
raising in this county.  Of excellent business ability and broad
resources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial
citizens of his part of the county and is a recognized leader in
public affairs.  He has won success by his well directed, energetic
efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well
deserved.

  One of Keokuk county's native sons, Mr. Morgan was born in English
River township, May 17, 1867.  His father, Thomas Morgan, is a native
of Kentucky, from which state he removed to Indiana with his parents
during boyhood, and was there reared and married.  In 1846 he came to
Iowa and settled in English River Township, Keokuk county, where he
took up a tract of government land and engaged in farming throughout
his active business life.  This worthy pioneer is still living at the
ripe old age of eighty-two years, honored and respected by all who
know him.  He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and has
acceptably filled the offices of township trustee and assessor.
Religiously, he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and has taken quite an active part in its work.  He was twice married
and by the first union had eight children.  For his second wife he
wedded Miss Mary McBride, the mother of our subject.  She was born and
reared in Pennsylvania and died in Iowa when about sixty-five years of
age.  She was the mother of four children, of whom Thomas A. is the
youngest.

   In the county of his nativity Thomas A. Morgan grew to manhood,
receiving a good practical education in the common schools of English
River township.  With the exception of six months spent in California,
his entire life has been passed in Keokuk county.  He followed farming
until 1893, when he removed to Webster and embarked in general
merchandising, opening a store at that place which he still conducts.
He carries a well selected stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and by
fair and honorable dealing has built up an excellent trade, which is
constantly increasing.  Besides his store he owns other property in
the town and has a valuable farm of four hundred and forty acres, all
in English River township with exception of eighty acres.  With the
assistance of hired help he operates this land and is meeting with
marked success as a farmer and stock raiser.

   In November, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morgan and
Miss Malissa Axmear, a native of Virginia and a daughter of John and
Julia Axmear, the former of whom was born in Holland and the latter in
Germany.  To our subject and his wife have been born five children, as
follows: Clarence, Ada, Blanch, Grace and Helen.  By his ballot Mr.
Morgan supports the men and measures of the Republican party.  He is a
worthy representative of that class of progressive business men who
lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives, and constitute the
best portion of a community.  Wherever known he is held in high
regard, and is certainly deserving of honorable mention in the history
of his native county.


From "A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk County, Iowa"
Published: Chicago and New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903. 
Pages 27-28
At Wisc. St. Hist. Soc Lib.  (Cutter Call Numbers)
Retyped by Dennis Nicklaus, 1996.