Thomas Edwin Morgan (1861 - 1936)

Born 3 Dec 1861 in Island Grove Township, Sangamon, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Katherine (Farmer) Morgan — married 30 Dec 1885 in Hamburg, Fremont, Iowa, United States

Husband of Jane Matilda Devor — married 12 Dec 1893 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa, United States

Died 27 Mar 1936 at age 74 in Alma, Harlan, Nebraska, United States

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Biography

Thomas was born 3 Dec 1861, in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. He was the son of Marsena and Purlina Ann Morgan. Thomas's mother died in 1870, when he was just eight years old. That year, he and his younger brother, Buck, were living with their father on his farm in Island Grove Township. Residing with the family was a woman named Margret Day, and her three children: Eliza (11), Katie (6) and Elizabeth (4). The relationship of the Day family to the Morgans is unclear. Also residing on the farm that year were two farm hands, Henry Myers and James Simms.^[1]

The following year, on 15 Feb 1871, Thomas' father married Emily Hope Dennison. Together, Thomas' father and step-mother would provide him with four additional step-siblings. In addition, Emily had a daughter, Elizabeth Allen, from her prior marriage. Elizabeth was about three years older than Thomas, and would have been about thirteen years old when their parents married.

On 30 Dec 1885, at age 24, Thomas married 17-year-old Kate Framer.^[2] The couple had a single child, Thomas Jr., who was born in October 1886, but survived only two days. This marriage was not a happy one, and after about five years of marriage, the couple separated.

Things get a little fuzzy here, but legend suggests that Kate may have run off with a relative of Thomas'. She is said to have engaged in a scandalous, if not criminal lifestyle, ultimately ending up in California. In November 1891, she took her own life and is now forever known as the ghost who haunts San Diego's Hotel del Coronado. Countless narratives have been written about her tragic life and many portray Thomas as a villainous figure - a cold uncaring husband, an abuser, a gambling addict, her partner in crime, and even her murderer. There seems to be no evidence to support such allegations. Rather, the records seem to portray a young man who simply fell in love with a woman whose troubles were much greater than he could could manage. There is no evidence that Thomas played any role in Kate's life once they separated. Later in life he is described as a devout Christian, a beloved family man, a dedicated worker who held multiple positions of honor, and a loyal member of several philanthropic organizations. (Interestingly, his obituaries mention nothing about his early years or first marriage, as if his first 30 years never actually happened).

In about 1890, Thomas moved to Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, and it was there that he married Jennie Devor, 12 Dec 1893. The couple had one child, Jane Mildred. Thomas was a rural mail carrier at Burchard for about seven years. He was then appointed postmaster there, a position he held for eight years.

In 1916, the family moved to Hubbell, Nebraska; in 1922 they moved to Ragan, Nebraska; and in 1926, they moved to Alma, Nebraska. While living at these various localities, Thomas was primarily engaged in the grain and lumber business. At Alma, he held the position of deputy sheriff of Harlan County for about four years and then served as a traffic policeman until he was no longer able to work.

Thomas died 27 Mar 1936, at his home in Alma, following an illness of several weeks duration. Although he had been in failing health, his death came quite suddenly. He was 74 years old.

He had been a member of the Christian Church for thirty-five years and served as Deacon for many years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for fifty-three years. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen, Royal Highlander and Rebekah Lodge.

Sources

1. ↑ 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com (database online with images), Illinois, Sangamon County, Township of Island Grove, page 23, dwelling 177, family 177, household of Morcena (sic) Morgan [image 23].
2. ↑ Marriage License: Thomas E. Morgan, 25 and Kate K. Farmer, 19: marriage license #2114 taken out on December 29, 1885 with certificate of marriage dated December 30, 1885. Recorded in Fremont County Courthouse, Sidney, Iowa. Witnessed by Kate's grandparents, Joe and Mrs. Fisher.

• 1900 U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com (database online with images). Nebraska, Pawnee County, Miles Precinct, Village of Burchard, ED 127, page 1B, dwelling 19, family 20, household of Thomas E. Morgan [image 2].

• 1910 U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com (database online with images). Nebraska, Pawnee County, Plum Creek Precinct, Village of Burchard, ED 104, page 1B, dwelling 16, family 16, household of Thos. E. Morgan [image 2].

• 1920 U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com (database online with images). Nebraska, Jefferson County, Pleasant Precinct, ED 109, page 6B, dwelling 72, family 72, household of Thomas E. Morgan [image 12].

• 1930 U.S. Federal Census. Ancestry.com (database online with images). Nebraska, Harlan County, City of Alma, ED 2, page 2B, dwelling 50, family 50, household of Thomas E. Morgan [image 4].

• Obituary, Brought Back for Burial, Hamburg (IA) Record, 2 Apr 1936.