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PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1891

These biographies were submitted by a researcher and are abstracted from the above named publication.. Errors could occur, so one should always verify the correctness by obtaining copies of vitals and performing all necessary research to document what is contained herein.



 

Page 695

AARON MORGAN. This gentleman is one of the landmarks of pioneer times in this county, he having come hither in his childhood and having been an eye-witness to much of the development of this section. He has himself borne a part in the labors by which a tract which was only fit for the haunts of wild beasts and savages, has been made beautiful and productive and suited to the habitation of a highly civilized community. Sterling traits of character and sturdy habits are developed in the frontier scenes where families are drawn more closely together by the ties of common interest than in older communities and thickly populated countries.

The parents of our subject were Charles and Elizabeth (Constant) Morgan, both of whom were born in the Old Dominion. Their marriage was solemnized in Fleming County, Ky., in 1807, and in March, 1814, they took up their residence in Clermont County, Ohio. There our subject was born March 3, 1816. In October, 1826, the family made the journey to this county, where Aaron grew to maturity amid the surroundings of a pioneer farmer's home. IN 1834 he became the owner of his first real estate, a tract of forty acres in Mechanicsburg Township. To this he added from time to time until he held the title to more than six hundred acres, including the spot where his father's family had camped on their arrival here, while building their cabin home.

Mr. Morgan has lived on the home farm continuously for half a century. He occupies an old-fashioned roomy house, whose very exterior gives promise of comfort to all who enter its hospitable doors. Few of these old ancestral homes have been left by the advancing tide of modern ideas. Mr. Morgan has divided his attention between the cultivation of the cereals, for which the climate and soil of this section are so well adapted and the raising of various kinds of stock. In both branches of agriculture he has been successful, as his fine estate proves.

The cherished companion of Mr. Morgan was born in Brown County, Ohio, in June, 1821, and bore the maiden name of Matilda Shinkle. At the time of her marriage with our subject she was a widow, her first husband having been Simpson McDaniel. The marriage rites between her and Mr. Morgan was solemnized January 12, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have had eleven children, five of whom are now living, four in this county and one in Missouri. They have thirteen grandchildren, one of whom Anna Moon, has been with them since her childhood. Mr. Morgan, after his marriage, brought his wife to their home, a log house 18x20 feet, without doors or windows, and in that humble abode they commenced housekeeping. They were troubled greatly by wild animals and at one time were attacked by a number of catamounts, Mr. Morgan killing three before daylight.

In the midst of the personal labors which he has performed, Mr. Morgan has found time to serve his fellow-citizens for many years as a School Director and School Trustee, giving proof of his ability and interest in the advancement of the cause of education. He has also for a long period of time been a Cemetery Director. He is convinced of the justice of the principles laid down in the Democratic platform and exercises the right of suffrage in behalf of the candidates who are pledged to support them. For sixty years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and during that time has always been found to be earnest in his endeavor to live in accordance with the precepts of Christianity. His estimable wife shares with him in the esteem of a large circle of friends, who will welcome the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan as valuable additions to this volume.



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