Morgan - WIlliam W.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893.
William W. MORGAN, of Crawfordsville, is one of the prominent
men of Montgomery County. Besides conducting a flourishing real
estate and insurance business, he is Secretary of the Montgomery
County Agricultural Society and also holds the same position in
the Montgomery County Savings Association.
Mr. MORGAN was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 7, 1850. He is
the son of Nathaniel and Amelia (HARRISON) MORGAN, who settled in
Crawfordsville in 1854, and the father was engaged in the
business of contracting and building until his death in 1885.
William lost his mother when but an infant and was reared two
miles from this place. At the age of eighteen years he learned
the trade of a pointer and worked at that for a period of four
years, then served for the same length of time as Department
Clerk. Following this he became Deputy Recorder and Deputy
Treasurer for four years more and then became a candidate for
Treasurer on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. He has
filled the office of Township Trustee acceptable for two years,
and after his defeat as County Treasurer he went into partnership
with William L. LEE.
Mr. MORGAN has figured in politics and has been on important
committees for many years, and was elected to his office of
Township Trustee in the township where there was a Republican
majority of three hundred votes. The Montgomery County
Agricultural Society, of which Mr. MORGAN is the very efficient
Secretary and to who much of the grand success of the fair of
1891 was due, has a most beautiful location within the city
limits of Crawfordsville, with grounds fifty-six acres in extent
and with the city water-works within its boundary, where also is
a beautiful natural grove. During the late fair there were over
six thousand entries and in some of the departments were the
finest exhibits ever made in the state outside of the State Fair;
$8,000 were paid in premiums and the Association is entirely
self-sustaining. The management of this gigantic enterprise was
in the hands of a few capable men and much of the work fell upon
the shoulders of Mr. MORGAN. That it was all satisfactorily
performed may be inferred from the fine catalogue issued by the
Association, in which all those interested may find the details
of one of the most successful enterprises of Montgomery
County.
The firm of MORGAN & LEE is a very important one in this
city and they conduct a business on fair principles. They have a
complete set of abstracts, which is one of the only tow sets in
existence in the county. Not a small part of the life of this
busy man is devoted to the insurance business, and his firm
represents the following fire insurance companies: Phoenix, of
Hartford; Phoenix, of Brooklyn; Guardian, London; Commercial
Union, of London. The firm also represents these life insurance
companies: The Northwestern Mutual Like of Milwaukee; the
Fidelity and Casuality, of New York; the Globe, of Indianapolis;
Accident, etc. The firm has over $150,000 life insurance in
force.
The marriage of Mr. MORGAN took place November 22, 1871, to
Miss Phoebe J. DUNBAR, the daughter of Andrew DUNBAR, of Decatur
County, Ind. The mother of Mrs. MORGAN is now in her eighty-third
year and finds a pleasant home with her daughter, where she is
tenderly cared for in her declining years. The family residence
is at No. 708 East Market street, in the city of Crawfordsville.
Mr. and Mrs. MORGAN have two children: William Harrison, who has
reached the age of nineteen and is clerking in a store, beginning
a business career for himself, and Mary Grey, who graduated from
the high school in 1892. Herbert FISHER was adopted by them at
the age of four months and is now nine years old.
In Mrs. MORGAN the Christian Church finds a devout member and
cordial supporter. Mr. MORGAN has identified himself with the
important social orders and is a member of the Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons and has been Master of Finance in the Knights of
Pythias for the past twelve years. He also belongs to Scioto
Tribe, No. 100, Independent Order of Red Men. He and his wife are
members of the Eastern Star. Mr. MORGAN is one of the progressive
men of Crawfordsville and the city is indebted to him in that so
many of the practical suggestions of business men have become
settle facts. His popularity is great among his fellow
citizens. - typed by kbz