BIO: James MORGAN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 338-339. __________________________________________________________________ JAMES MORGAN, Valley Point, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born near Orbisonia, Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, Pa., April 28, 1810. He is the son of Joshua and Hannah (Stork) Morgan. Mr. Morgan's grandfather, Joshua Morgan, was born in Wales, and came to the United States after his marriage. He settled on the Douglass farm in Cromwell township, which he bought and cultivated until his death. Joshua Morgan was a soldier in the Continental army. He died at his home in Cromwell township. Joshua Morgan, father of James Morgan, was born on the old Douglass farm, situated between Orbisonia and Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, Pa. He was a teamster, and drove from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. When he was past middle age, Mr. Morgan turned his attention to farming. He was a member of the Republican party. Joshua Morgan was married in Chester county, Pa., to Hannah Stork, whose parents were natives of Germany. Their children were: Margaret; Jacob; John; Polly (Mrs. Samuel Bard); Joshua; Thomas; Kitty; James; and William. Of these James only is living. Joshua Morgan died at the home of his son James; his wife died in Cromwell township, April 17, 1872, aged seventy years, eight months and thirteen days. When George Washington was inaugurated in New York, Mrs. Morgan was present and admired the beautiful white horse which the President rode. James Morgan was born on the farm which he now owns. He was a farmer's boy and had no opportunities for acquiring an education. He worked on the farm and chopped wood for the furnaces. He often received by $2.00 a month, and on such wages he was obliged to clothe himself and pay board. Before the canals and railroads were opened, he had to carry his letters to Huntingdon to mail them and each letter cost twenty-five cents postage. After his marriage he settled on a farm of 150 acres, which he still owns. He cultivated this farm for many years, after which he bought from his sister thirty acres on which he now resides. Mr. Morgan is very industrious, and is never happy when unemployed. He is a fine old gentleman, strong and hearty, a very interesting talker, kind and genial, and highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Morgan has never sought political office. He delights in long walks. In the summer of 1895, he walked into Mifflin county, Pa., as far as McVeytown, a part of the country which he had not visited for sixty-five years. He left home in the morning, expecting to return the same day. The distance from his home to McVeytown is twenty-two miles. Mr. Morgan reached that place and started on the return trip, but stopping at the house of his nephew, who lives sixteen miles from McVeytown, he was persuaded to remain that night. This walk was considered as a great feat for a man of his age. In the spring of 1896, Mr. Morgan walked from his home to Orbisonia and returned, a distance of fourteen miles. James Morgan was married in Cromwell township, to Elizabeth, daughter of David James, of York county, Pa. Their children are: Oliver, a farm laborer in Huntingdon county, married Miss Shapley; Sylvester, a farmer in Westmoreland county, Pa., married Miss Erwin; Hannah Jane (Mrs. R. G. Erwin), of Valley Point, Shirley township; George, a farmer in Mifflin county, married Miss Traxler; and James Pollard, born December 25, 1857, in Cromwell township. He was educated in the public schools. He was a farmer's son and has always farmed. He was married October 16, 1884, to Mary Belle, daughter of James and Sarah (Millhause) Miley. Their children are: David W., died in infancy; Goldie; Byron, lumberman in Huntingdon county, served as supervisor for nine years; William R., a farmer in Cromwell township; and Elizabeth (Mrs. John A. Gumbert), resides in Cromwell township. Mr. James Morgan is a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church.