Biographical Sketch of Jacob B. MORGAN (1881); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Diana Quinones [audianaq@msn.com] 

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Futhey and Cope BIO - born 1814 Charlestown, from pp625-680
Sketch of Jacob B. Morgan from publication can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/chester/bios/morgan-jb.jpg

MORGAN, JACOB B.— James Morgan and his wife, Jane, with their children, 
Margaret, John, Evan, and James, natives of Nantmeal, Radnorshire, Wales, set 
sail for this country in 1691. Both of the parents died at sea, and the captain 
of the vessel having been prevailed upon to enter a Maryland port, they were 
buried at the head of the Bay of Bohemia. All of the children settled in this 
county, and James and Evan subsequently became distinguished as clergymen. John 
purchased a farm near Morgan’s Corner, in Radnor township, now Delaware County. 
His grandson, Mordecai Morgan, was appointed a lieutenant of the Pennsylvania 
militia, July 15, 1776, participated in the battle of Brandywine, in September, 
1777, and died in 1794, leaving eight children. Of these, Dr. Mordecai Morgan 
became a surgeon in the United States navy and at the time of his death was 
fleet-surgeon of the West India Squadron. He was a man of literary taste and 
culture, and made translations of several of the Italian poets. In "Hazard’s 
Register" may be found a biographical sketch of the noted Dr. John Davis, 
written by him. John Morgan, another brother, was born in Radnor township in 
1786, and learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1808 he removed to Charlestown 
township, and opened a store at the Fountain Inn. Soon afterwards he built the 
General Pike tavern, at which place he was for a number of years postmaster and 
justice of the peace. About 1818 he purchased a farm, a large portion of which 
he retained until his death in 1871, and until a populous town had grown up 
around and beyond it. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1828 and in 
1839. He was president of the Phoenixville Bridge Company, a street bears his 
name, and he died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, possessed of wealth 
and universally respected. His second son was Jacob B. Morgan, born in 1814, who 
was educated in the common schools and West Chester Academy. He subsequently 
taught school and entered a store. He was postmaster of Phoenixville under the 
administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan. In 1868 he was elected 
cashier of the National Bank of Phoenixville, which position he has held to the 
present time, and his management of the bank has been marked by a large increase 
of his business and a great extension of public confidence. He was married in 
1849 to Lavina C., daughter of John Vanderslice, by whom he has had four 
children. He has served as justice of the peace, been five times chief burgess 
of the borough, a director in the school board, and treasurer of the same. In 
1873 the teachers gave him an elegant testimonial for his ability, suavity of 
manner, and general conduct in his administration as a school director. He has 
served in the borough council (1857), and was vice-president of the Perseverance 
Building and Loan Association. He was cashier of the Bank of Phoenixville, 
organized under State law on March 12, 1859, and which he held until it was 
merged with the National in 1868, when and in which he held the same position, 
and which he now so efficiently fills. He is a fine business man, conspicuous 
for his straightforward conduct in life and for his constant efforts to aid in 
everything tending to improve the borough and its people, by whom he is 
universally loved and respected.