Nevada
County
Biographies
JOHN T. MORGAN
John T. Morgan is the cashier of the
Citizens’ Bank of Nevada City, a leading and reliable businessman who has been
prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of this favored section
of California since 1853. He is a native
of the old world, his birth having occurred in the little rock-ribbed country
of Wales on the 24th of June, 1830.
On both sides he represents families that for many generations had
resided in that land. His parents were
John and Rachel (Thomas) Morgan, the former born in 1785, the latter in
1787. They had nine children, John T.
being the eighth in order of birth. The
father died March 27, 1859, and the mother passed away on the 27th
of March, 1865.
Mr. Morgan, of this review, was
reared and educated in the land of his nativity and at the age of fourteen
years entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith’s trade, which he
followed for many years. In 1851 be bid
adieu to home and friends and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his
first location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Subsequently he removed to Dodgeville, Iowa County, that state, where he
followed his trade until 1852, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in
California and other sections of the Pacific coast, he crossed the plains and
after a long and tedious journey of six months reached his destination. He first went to Volcano Bar, Middle Fork of
American River, where he located for a few months. He then visited what is now New Castle,
Placer County, but again returned to Volcano Bar. In the fall of 1853 he came to Nevada City,
since which time he has been identified with various interests of this section
of the state. In 1871 he was elected
county assessor, serving for four years, and since 1876 he has occupied his present
position in connection with the Citizens’ National Bank. The success of the institution is largely due
to his efforts. He is thoroughly
familiar with the banking business in all of its departments, and his
conservative methods and keen discernment in business affairs have placed the
bank on a substantial basis that has secured to it a large patronage. During his residence in Nevada County he has
also made judicious investments in mining property and his income is materially
increased thereby.
In this county, on the 20th
of June, 1857, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Eddy, a
lady of English birth, who accompanied her parents to Pennsylvania in
1849. The father died in the Keystone
state, but the family came to California in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of ten
children, seven of whom are living, as follows:
David E.; Gracie A., now the wife of F. T. Nilon;
Rachel J; Edward J.; Frank F.; Alva N.; Bessie C.; Grace and Rachel, who are
deceased; and William F. who died in 1893, at the age of thirty-one years. The family are
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In politics Mr. Morgan is a
Republican, and socially he is affiliated with the Masonic order, belonging to
lodge, chapter and commandery, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
holding membership in both subordinate lodge and encampment. He has filled many offices in both
fraternities and for many years has been the treasurer of the former. He has twice visited his native land, the
second time in 1893, and amid the associations of boyhood and the friends of
his youth he spent many pleasant hours.
He has, however, greater love for the land of his adoption, with its
boundless opportunities, its great liberties and its principles of
republicanism. He is most true and
faithful to all that is best in our American government, and his loyalty is
equal to that of California’s native sons.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 384-385. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Nevada County Biographies