James Dada Morgan (1810 - 1896)

Born 1 Aug 1810 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Husband of Jane (Strachan) Morgan — married 28 Oct 1832 in Boston, Massachusetts

Died 12 Sep 1896 at age 86 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

James Morgan is Notable.

Major General James Morgan served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 4/29/1861
Mustered out: 8/24/1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Field & Staff, 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

History of Quincy and Its Men of Mark, 1869

During the late war the patriotism of Quincy shone out with a luster that even the protracted and desperate nature of the conflict failed to 'dim. Many of her sons, young and old, sprang to the front at the first alarm, and remained there steadfast in defense of the Union, or fell in the cause. Of these none achieved greater eminence, or rendered more valuable service, than Gen. James D. Morgan, whose record as a soldier is a bright page in the history of the war.

Born in Boston in 1810, in 1831: he cast his fortunes with Quincy, and worked at his trade as a cooper, Edward Wells, Esq., being employed in the same shop. The following spring, in connection with the last named gentlemen, he rented a shop that stood where the jail now stands, and they thus commenced the cooperate business for themselves. We next find him engaged in the confectionery business under the Quincy House. About this time his military experiences began, and being captain of a militia company, he was ordered to Hancock county, the scene of the Mormon excitement. In 1846 he volunteered for the war with Mexico, and went immediately to the front, as captain of "A" Company, 1st Reg. I!l. Vol., commanded by the gallant Hardin. Returning to Quincy at the close of the war, in 1847, at the breaking out of the late war, he promptly enlisted in a company then being raised here, and, with a modesty proverbial of the man, accepted the position of orderly sergeant, though tendered and urged to accept a more exalted rank. Proceeding to Cairo with his company, he was at once called by the unanimous voice of the famous 10th Reg. Ill. Inf, to the position of lieutenant colonel. On the promotion of Gen. B. M. Prentiss, its colonel, to the command of a brigade. Gen. Morgan was at once advanced to the colonelcy. His regiment soon after took the field, and began its glorious career of five years service, during which time the valor and endurance of its men were tried on many an ensanguined field and weary march. Bird's Point, New Madrid, Corinth, Mission Ridge, Chicamauga, Berton's Hill. &c., are inscribed upon its banners, and attest the determined courage and confidence of these heroes, when led by their "old commander." At the last named place Gen. Morgan was brevetted major general for gallant conduct. He also participated with his regiment in Sherman's famous march to the sea, and retired from the army with a record that will bear comparison with any of the veterans, whose achievements have inscribed their names upon the roll of honor, and won the admiration of the nation. For over four years Gen. Morgan was with his regiment all the time, asking for no leave of absence and accepting none, but ever present with his men, devoted to their welfare, and zealous in their behalf No commander was ever more beloved and idolized, and none ever reciprocated that affection more generously than he.

These were the achievements of war ; but successful as has been Gen. Morgan in military affairs, his civil career has been not less marked and interesting. A partner for twenty-five years in the firm of C. M. Pomroy & Co., doing an extensive business in packing pork, he also took an active interest in the progress of the city, and has given generously of his time and wealth to advance many of our public enterprises. One of the first to enlist our citizens in the project of introducing gas into the city, also a moving spirit in building the great "Rink" and the stately Opera House, he has been no less active in behalf of others of a more extensive character, such as railroads, steamboat lines, &c. A man of genial temperament, quiet, but energetic and confident. Gen. Morgan has no superior as a business man, while as a part of the social and moral element of Quincy, he is invaluable.^[1]

Portrait and Biographical Record of Adams County, Illinois, 1892

GEN. JAMES D. MORGAN. The record of the life of this gentleman affords a striking illustration of the results of decision of purpose as well as the influence which an honorable character exėrts upon others. Well dowered with stability and firmness these attributes together with persistent labor have been instrumental in bringing about his present prosperous circumstances. Chief among his characteristics is his patriotism which led him to offer his services to his country in her hour of peril and made him deem no sacrifice too great when made on her behalf. The trite saying that truth is stranger than fiction is nowhere better exemplified than in the life of Gen. Morgan who arose from an humble position in boyhood to an honorable and prominent place in his manhood. His life has been varied by thrilling incidents and often he has been in perils both by land and sea by fire and by sword but he ever maintained the calm and unwavering courage which were his by nature and inheritance.

The Morgan family was founded in America by three brothers who came hither from Wales and settled respectively in Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. The father of our subject, James Morgan, who was born in Brimfield Mass in 1780, was a sea captain and a foreign trader in the East Indies. During the War of 1812 he held a Captain's commission and was captured by the Spanish authorities and imprisoned for a time. He married Miss Margaret Patch whose ancestors were of English origin and who was a native of Dublin, Mass, born in 1782.

Gen. Morgan was born in Boston, Mass August 1, 1810 and there attended school a short time in his early childhood. His schooling ceased at the age of nine years when he went out to work by the day among strangers. When sixteen years old he commenced to learn the trade of a cooper which he followed for several years In the year of 1826 he went to sea on board the sailing vessel, Beverly, which was burned October 17, 1826, about fifteen hundred miles from land. With others of the crew he took refuge in a common boat and for fourteen days drifted helplessly on the water subsisting upon a daily allowance of one half gill of water and one and one half biscuits. At the end of that time they reached the coast of South America to the leeward of Cape St. Roche.

In 1834, accompanied by his family, our subject removed to Quincy, where he soon afterward opened a cooper shop in partnership with Edward Wells and followed his trade for five years. In 1839, he opened a confectionery and bakery which he carried on for a short time and then engaged in the general grocery business. Afterward he became a member of the firm of C.M. Pomroy & Co. pork packers in which business he remained for twenty five years until the partnership was dissolved when he retired from business.

Early in life, our subject leaned toward military matters and as early as 1837, we find him connected with the Quincy Grays a famous military company of that day. In 1845, he was Commander of a corps of fifty mounted riflemen and served as military police in Hancock County during the Mormon War. In 1846, he participated in the Mexican War commanding a company of one hundred men which afterward became Company A First Illinois, Infantry John J. Hardin, Colonel commanding. By order of Gen. Wool Companies E and A formed an independent battalion which our subject commanded during his term of service. He was present at the battle of Buena Vista and took a prominent part in other conflicts.

When the War of the Rebellion broke out, Gen Morgan was suffering from a broken leg but as soon as he recovered sufficiently he entered the service of his country. In 1861, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth Illinois Infantry and in August 1862, was made Brigadier General. For gallant conduct during the great battle of Bentonville, NC he was promoted to be Brevet Major General of Volunteers. He served under Gens Pope Rosecrans Thomas and Sherman and among the engagements in which he participated were the battles of Island No. 10 New Madrid Corinth and those of the Atlanta campaign accompanying Gen Sherman on the march to the sea. He entered the service in April 1861 and was mustered out in August 1865 having never received a furlough during the entire time. At the battle of Bentonville, NC, he was in command of the Second Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps and in that position displayed tact as a military commander and it is a well settled historical fact that this division saved the left wing of Sherman's army. After being honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky he returned to his home which during those four long years of peril he had never seen.

The first wife of Gen Morgan bore the maiden name of Jane Strachan. She became his wife in Boston, Mass and died in 1855, leaving two sons:

• William, a resident of Quincy
• James of Everett, Mass

June 14, 1869 Gen Morgan was united in marriage with Miss Harriet, the youngest daughter of Capt. Robert Evans and a native of Massachusetts.

With many of the public enterprises of Quincy, Gen Morgan has for years been closely connected. He is Vice president of the First National Bank of which he has been Director for many years. He is Vice president of the society of the Army of the Cumberland of Illinois. He has served as Treasurer of the Soldiers and Sailors Home at Quincy since its organization In addition to these positions he has also served as Director of the Whitney & Holmes Organ Company, the Omaha & Kansas City Railroad Company, and the Newcomb Hotel Company, being a stockholder in the last named. He was one of the incorporators of the Quincy Gas Light & Coke Company for many years its Treasurer and subsequently President for a number of years. He is a Director in the Quincy Electric Light & Power Company. In politics he is independent preferring to cast his ballot for the man whom deems best qualified to fill the office in question rather than to blindly follow any party regardless of the desirability of the candidate.^[2]

See also: civilwardata

Sources

1. ↑ History of Quincy and Its Men of Mark, 1869
2. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record of Adams County, Illinois, 1892, page 270

• Wikipedia contributors. (2022, June 7). James D. Morgan. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:30, August 12, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_D._Morgan&oldid=1092030549
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5890678/james-dada-morgan: accessed 12 August 2022), memorial page for James Dada Morgan (1 Aug 1810–12 Sep 1896), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5890678, citing Woodland Cemetery, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.